Assistant Deputy Warden Edwin Diaz, a 25-year Correction Department veteran and ex-Marine, surrendered Thursday morning to face the charges in Bronx Criminal Court.
He was charged with attacking an inmate at the George R. Vierno Center on Rikers Island in September of 2008.
A young female officer ordered the inmate, 22-year-old Jesus Alejandro, into his cell. The inmate responded by grabbing the officer and punching her.
Diaz subdued Alejandro, but court papers allege he excessively banged the inmate's head.
Alejandro was serving 23 years to life for fatally stabbing girlfriend Cristina Hernandez in 2008. He stabbed her 26 times, slit her throat and left her head next to the open oven door with the gas turned on.
---
