Coll allegedly kicked the inmate, Ronald Spear, while Spear was being restrained by two of Coll’s colleagues, one of whom remains employed at Rikers. Spear was in the infirmary being treated for kidney disease at the time, and Coll was allegedly annoyed by Spear’s complaints about how the infirmary was treating his illness.
After Spear’s death, the corrections officers charged allegedly orchestrated a cover up that included a story about Spear swinging at Coll with a cane, thereby justifying the use of force.