Rikers Inmate Tried To Kill Other Inmate For Disturbing His Sleep: DA

NEW YORK CITY — A former Rikers inmate is deadly serious over his sleep, according to Bronx district attorneys.

Eric McKenzie, 56, stands accused of beating a fellow inmate nearly to death after his sleep was interrupted by a fellow inmate's loud noises, prosecutors said.

The other inmate — Jose Matias — suffered a traumatic brain injury in the attack that left him unable to walk or talk, authorities said.

“The defendant allegedly brutally attacked another inmate," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement. "Allegedly because the victim disturbed his sleep."

McKenzie, also known as Eric Belmar, chased Matias then threw him to the ground and began punching and stomping on his head, said prosecutors.

The brutal attack on Dec. 13 left Matias so injured that doctors at Elmhust Hospital put him in a medically induced coma, prosecutors said.

Matias, in addition to his traumatic brain injury, now suffers from seizures and brain damage, authorities said. He needed extensive physical rehabilitation after being left unable to speak or walk, prosecutors said.

District attorneys charged McKenzie with attempted murder and several charges of assault. His bail is set at $100,000 before his next court appearance on June 29.

This is one of many recent violent incidents in the troubled jail, which advocates say is undergoing a "humanitarian crisis."