Prisoner Murdered At Varner Unit
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A state prison spokeswoman says an inmate was
killed at Varner Supermax after cell block doors opened, allowing
prisoners out of their cells.
Spokeswoman Dina Tyler says either there was a mechanical
failure or a guard hit the wrong button, opening doors in the
three-tired cell block. She says the guard was trying to open a
mechanical room to make a routine check.
Nineteen of the 78 prisoners housed in the block walked out of
their cells and more officers were called to the scene. Tyler says
the inmates returned to their cells without any problem. But
officers noticed two inmates in one cell -- one lying on the floor,
bloodied.
The victim -- 51-year-old Jerry Ward -- was pronounced dead by a
prison doctor. He apparently died of blows to the head.
The other inmate, 31-year-old Eric Thrower, is a suspect in
Ward`s death. Tyler says a motive in the case is unclear.
Posted by Mike Hellgren
