Social Distancing Death Suspect Held At Coronavirus-Packed Rikers

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A Brooklyn woman charged with manslaughter in a scuffle over social distancing is behind bars inside one of the biggest coronavirus hotspots on the planet — Rikers Island.

Only a $200,000 bond can get Cassandra Lundy, 32, out of Rose M. Singer Center — Rikers Island's women's jail — before a May court hearing on four felonies, according to records.

Lundy is charged with manslaughter in the death of Janie Marshall, 86, inside Woodhull Medical Center's emergency room on March 28.

Marshall, who had dementia, grabbed Lundy's IV pole to steady herself, the New York Times reported. But Lundy grew irate because Marshall violated the 6-foot distance health officials advise people should keep between themselves to stop the coronavirus' spread, the Times reported.

The confrontation culminated in Lundy shoving Marshall, who hit her head on the floor and died a few hours later.

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Hospital officials initially let Lundy go with a disorderly conduct summons but police later arrested her. Prosecutors filed four felonies — manslaughter with intent to cause physical injury, manslaughter recklessly causing death, assault on a victim 65 or older and criminally negligent homicide — against her, according to court records.

A judge set Lundy's bail at $200,000, records state.

That all but ensured Lundy, the suspect accused of fearing coronavirus so much she shoved an elderly woman, would end up at Rikers Island where many fear the virus is spreading out of control.

More than 700 inmates and employees at Rikers have tested positive for coronavirus, Newsweek reported. Its infection rate of 6.6 percent stands as nine times more than the state and makes it one of the biggest coronavirus hot spots in the world.

Public defenders and some elected officials have called on mass releases of low-level offenders. Their fears that a minor offense could turn into a death sentence were realized when the Rikers first inmate, Michael Tyson, 53, died from coronavirus — he was jailed on a technicality, THE CITY reported.

Lundy is scheduled to appear for a May 6 court hearing. Marshall's family and fellow members of Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn plan to hold a virtual funeral service to abide by social distancing rules, the New York Times reported.

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