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June 8, 2015

Ex-Prisoner Jailed without Charge at Rikers for 3 Years Commits Suicide 
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And a young man imprisoned for three years at Rikers in New York without
charge has committed suicide. Kalief Browder was a 16 year old high
school sophomore when he was detained on suspicion of stealing a
backpack. Browder never pleaded guilty and was never convicted. He
maintained his innocence and requested a trial, but was only offered
plea deals while the trial was repeatedly delayed. After enduring nearly
800 days in solitary confinement and abuses from guards, Browder was
only released when the case was dismissed. Browder died last week at his
home in the Bronx. He was 22 years old.

 

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