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| FBI probes inmate's death at state prison |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/20/2004 |
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The FBI said Sept. 10 it is investigating the April 30 asphyxiation death of a state prison inmate for possible civil-rights violations. The development comes six weeks after an Allegany County (Md) grand jury refused to indict Western Correctional Institution staff members for the death of the inmate, Ifeanyi A. Iko. Special Agent Barry Maddox, a spokesman at the FBI's Baltimore office, said the agency opened the investigation within the last two weeks. The findings will be reviewed by the U.S. attorney and the Justice Department, he said. "They make the determination whether we go forward with any action," Maddox said. Maddox declined to say why the FBI got involved. He said it isn't uncommon for the agency to initiate civil-rights cases, although relatively few involve prison incidents. Iko, a 51-year-old Nigerian immigrant, died after correctional officers forcibly removed him from his cell in a segregation unit at the medium-security prison near Cumberland. The state medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide by asphyxiation caused by pepper-spray ingestion, placement of a mask to prevent spitting or biting, and the manner in which he was restrained. An internal investigation by the state Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services found no wrongdoing by prison staff. An Allegany County grand jury concluded July 29 that the staff wasn't criminally responsible. |
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