Doctor who sexually abused patients kills himself in jail

By MICHAEL R. SISAK and MICHAEL RUBINKAM
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A once-prominent neurologist convicted last month of sexually abusing patients killed himself Monday at a New York City jail while awaiting sentencing in that case and a trial on federal charges alleging still more abuse, two people familiar with the matter said. Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, 68, was found unresponsive in a shower area at the Eric M. Taylor Center, a jail at the notorious Rikers Island complex, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly and did so on condition of anonymity. Cruciani’s lawyer called for “an immediate and objective investigation” into the circumstances of Cruciani’s death, including whether jail officials complied with a court order, at the time of his conviction, to place him in protective custody and under suicide watch.