A former New York City jail guard faces up to life in prison after federal prosecutors upgraded charges against him in the 2012 beating death of a Rikers Island inmate.
In court papers filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said an autopsy found that Brian Coll kicked Ronald Spear repeatedly in the head, resulting in his death.
The 45-year-old Coll and a colleague were arrested in June. Coll had been charged only with causing injuries to Spear.
The two also have been charged with lying to investigators about what happened. A third guard has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.
Spear was being held on a burglary charge. The city settled a lawsuit over his death for $2.75 million.
A lawyer for Coll and a spokesman for his union didn't immediately return messages seeking comment.
