Four prison employees fired

Four prison employees have been fired for lying during an investigation into the opening of 78 cell doors at the Varner Supermax prison unit. Officials say the error allowed one inmate to get into another`s cell and beat him to death. The body of 51 year old inmate Jerry Ward was found on the floor of his cell on December 22nd, after most prisoners had returned to their cells following the simultaneous opening of their doors. But at least one inmate was still out of his cell when Ward`s body was found. Authorities say 32 year old Eric Thrower was in Ward`s cell and he`s been charged with capital murder. Two maintenance department employees, a guard and a sergeant were fired Wednesday afternoon. Prison officials would not name them, saying that an appeal process is pending. The department says the workers knew of the problem with the locks but did not call attention to it.