Mentally Ill Homeless Veteran Was Allowed To 'Bake To Death' in an Overheated Jail Cell — His Parents Sue

Jerome Murdough. (Screen capture from YouTube video)

Murdough’s mother, Alma Murdough, says of her homeless veteran son, who died in his 100-degree cell, ‘I saw a picture of him with his mouth open, which gives me the impression that he was howling for help.’


By Taylor Hintz , Corky Siemaszko
The heartbroken mom of the Rikers Island inmate who baked to death in a sweltering cell is suing the city for $25 million.

Jerome Murdough’s lawyer announced the filing of the notice of claim on Friday.

“I saw a picture of him with his mouth open, which gives me the impression that he was howling for help, and no one came, and that really tears me up," 75-year-old Alma Murdough said with tears in her eyes.

Her lawyer, Derek Sells, blamed bumbling corrections officers for the 56-year-old Marine’s death.

“Had the correction officers who were responsible for his care followed their job, he wouldn’t be dead today,” said Derek Sells of The Cochran Firm.

Murdough, a homeless veteran who suffered from mental illness, was arrested on Feb. 7 on trespassing charges.
Unable to make the $2,500 bail, Murdough was sent to Rikers and died Feb. 15 in a 100-degree cell that records showed was supposed to be repaired...

Four hours after finding him dead, Murdough's internal body temperature still registered at 103 degrees, Sells said.

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