RIKERS
(New York, NY/77WABC)-For the second time in a week, officials are investigating after a paperwork error led to the mistaken release of a prisoner from the Rikers Island Jail. Attempted murder suspect, Nikim Meekins, was released on Monday due to what is being called a clerical error. He turned himself in, accompanied by his attorney at midnight.
The State court system says Meekins was awaiting trial on an attempted murder charge and a weapons charge following his arrest on March 10th.
A judge set bail for the weapons charge at $1 and $300,000 for the attempted murder charge.
Officials say the mix-up occurred after a law clerk marked the new bail for that gun charge but mistakenly indicated that Meekins be released on his own recognizance for the attempted murder charge. Those orders were then relayed to the Department of Corrections with Meekins being released.
The spokesperson acknowledged it was a “serious mistake,” and said it would be addressed “from a personnel and training perspective.”
On March 8th, murder suspect Christopher Buggs was mistakenly released due to a similar error. Buggs was arrested in Feb. of 2018 and had been incarcerated for three years. Buggs remains at large.
He was released on an unrelated contempt of court charge.
