New York Attorney General Joins Investigation of Mount Vernon Jail Cell Death

Authorities are investigating the holding-cell death of a woman who waited two days for arraignment on a shoplifting arrest in Mount Vernon. “It’s a tragedy when anyone dies in police custody”, Mount Vernon Deputy Police Commissioner Richard Burke told the Journal News.

Turner was arrested Saturday afternoon on shoplifting charges and placed in a holding cell to await arraignment. On Sunday night, she reported not feeling well and was taken, by ambulance, to a hospital. EMS was called and pronounced her dead a short time later The mayor said Turner previously had bariatric surgery and a history of hypertension. Authorities told NBC that “the last note on Turner indicated she was laying on her side and appeared to be sleeping”.

Herman Turner says he doesn’t believe his wife was harmed by the police, but her medical needs were neglected.

Mount Vernon officials, speaking at a news conference Tuesday afternoon, said Turner was taken into custody Saturday sometime after 3 p.m. on a petty larceny charge, after she allegedly shoplifted from the Restaurant Depot, a wholesale food store. “I want to thank the citizens of Mount Vernon and from all over for their patience while a thorough investigation moves forward”.

The results of an autopsy from the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the official cause of death is still pending.

It is unknown if Schneiderman will launch a full investigation. But when guards went to bring Turner for her court appearance, she was found unresponsive.

City officials said she was observed awake in her cell between noon and 1 p.m. on Monday.

Turner’s death comes roughly two weeks after Chicago civil rights advocate Sandra Bland, 28, was found dead in a Texas jail cell.

Raynette Turner was the mother of eight children whose ages varied from 8 to 21.

In the meantime, the police department sent their condolences to the family.

An autopsy was reportedly conducted yesterday, and results are still pending.

The Westchester County District Attorney’s office is also investigating.