Mount Vernon Retains Counsel to Handle Litigation Over Woman's Jail Death

Mount Vernon, NY — The City of Mount Vernon has hired lawyers to defend itself in the death of a woman who was being held in custody.

Lohud.com said the city’s Board of Estimate and Contract voted Tuesday to retain Ruskin Moscou Faltischek as special counsel for $350 per hour.

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Raynette Turner, 42, was arrested on shoplifting charges and was in jail for a couple days while waiting for her arraignment.

She was found by a prison attendant July 2 and was pronounced dead.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman was appointed special prosecutor to investigate Turner’s death.

While he said that there were areas in need of reform, there was no criminal culpability into the death.

To read the complete lohud.com article, go here.

Photo credit: Screenshot from jail video provided by New York State.