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| Smuggled gas used in fatal prison attack |
| By The Tennessean |
| Published: 06/15/2005 |
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Gasoline from a prison lawn mower was used in a fatal attack on an inmate in April, Tennessee Department of Correction officials confirmed last week. Two unidentified inmates, one of whom worked on Riverbend Maximum Security Institution's yard crew, were placed in isolation a few days after the attack, prison spokeswoman Amanda Sluss said. Prison officials could not say whether the inmates suspected of smuggling the gasoline into a housing area knew it was going to be used in an attack. "I can't confirm if they were knowingly involved," Sluss said. On April 21, inmate Keith Latron Drinkard, 38, was fatally stabbed and set on fire while working on a cleaning detail with two other maximum security inmates. The inmates who were working with him are suspected in the attack. No charges have been filed. Sgt. Warren Russell and Officer Kevin Pittman, who were supervising the work crew, reportedly left to conduct inmate drug tests in another part of the prison minutes before the attack happened. At first they told investigators they were gone for less than two minutes but later admitted being gone for as many as 15, prison records show. Pittman was fired, and Russell was allowed to resign. Correction officials have said there's no evidence to suggest they left to allow the attack to happen. Neither of the smuggling suspects has been disciplined while the investigation into Drinkard's death continues. "Internal affairs investigators do continue to pursue a possible motive," Sluss said. "They suspect they're on the right track. There's one motive they feel strongly about." Sluss would not say what that motive was. Once prison officials complete the investigation, the case will be sent to the district attorney general's office for possible prosecution. |
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