DA: Rikers Island Correction Officer Ignored Inmate's Fatal Seizure

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City correction officer on Rikers Island is accused of ignoring an inmate having a fatal seizure, prosecutors said.

Wickenson DeMaitre pleaded not guilty Friday to official misconduct, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing charges. His attorney, Noel Munier, did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The 47-year-old officer was at his post Oct. 1, 2014, at the Anna M. Kross Center when inmate Victor Woods began convulsing, authorities said.

DeMaitre allegedly claimed he notified a medical response team, but prosecutors said a video shows he took no action.

Medical crews arrived later, after another guard summoned them.

The city's Department of Investigation said DeMaitre was fired.

A spokesman for his union did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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