A man named Soso Ramishvili died in a holding cell inside Brooklyn Criminal Court after spending three nights waiting for arraignment. He was found dead just an hour before he was supposed to appear in front of a judge. The cause of death was not immediately known, and police are still investigating. Court records show that Ramishvili’s arraignment had been postponed six times since his arrest for shoplifting in Brooklyn. He was also found in possession of stolen power tools and a glassine envelope believed to contain cocaine.
Ramishvili had required medical attention at least three times while at the courthouse due to drug-related health issues. He had been back and forth to the hospital in recent days for drug withdrawals. The scheduling issues in his case may have been due to staffing shortages at the city’s courthouses. Cops working in courthouses need to have inmate contact in order to guard prisoners, but physical issues such as injury or pregnancy may prevent them from doing so. Staffing shortages may have also contributed to the delays in Ramishvili’s arraignment.
The Legal Aid Society and Brooklyn Defenders are calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ramishvili’s death. They believe that he should have been released on a desk appearance ticket based on the offense he committed, rather than being held in custody for three days without proper medical care. Ramishvili’s case highlights the level of indifference that can exist in the criminal justice system, and the groups are seeking answers and accountability for his death. New York City law requires that people be arraigned within 24 hours of their arrest, unless there is a valid reason for a delay.
Ramishvili’s death raises questions about the treatment of individuals in custody and the efficiency of the criminal justice system. The delays in his arraignment and lack of medical care while in custody have sparked outrage and calls for reform. It is crucial that investigations are conducted to uncover the truth behind his death and to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. The tragedy of Ramishvili’s death serves as a stark reminder of the flaws within the system and the need for change to prevent further harm to those in the custody of law enforcement.
