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| Inmate convicted for attack on officer |
| By Ionia Sentinel-Standard |
| Published: 08/08/2005 |
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The inmate who instigated an attack on corrections officers -- seriously injuring one of them -- at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Michigan last year has been convicted. Meanwhile, the case of a fellow inmate involved in that brawl, Joseph Freeman, remains unresolved as 8th Circuit Court Judge Charles Miel decides whether or not to dismiss the case with prejudice. Quincy Bland will most likely face between three and four additional years in prison for a conviction of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. A jury deliberated for 50 minutes last week before finding him guilty. A former Oakland County resident, Bland, in his mid-20s, is serving up to 15 years in prison for six convictions, ranging from larceny and felony firearms violations to assault with intent to commit murder. Freeman, also in his mid-20s and from Oakland County, allegedly used a large padlock wrapped in a sock to repeatedly beat an officer in the face and head during the fight. He was tried earlier this year for the more serious charge of assault with intent to commit murder. Miel abruptly ended the case against Freeman during a discovery hearing, and told both the defense and prosecution attorneys that the case would most likely be dismissed. Ionia County Prosecutor Ronald Schafer believes Miel sought to dismiss the case because defense counsel had requested from the Michigan Department of Corrections the personnel file of one of the corrections officers involved. The MDOC failed to produce those documents, which angered the judge, Schafer believes. Miel has yet to issue an opinion on whether he will dismiss the case with prejudice or without. If the case is thrown out with the prejudice of the judge, Schafer said the case would most likely not be re-tried by his office. However, prosecutors may begin a new case against Freeman if Miel orders the case dismissed without prejudice. Freeman's case has been neither dismissed nor are there any future hearings scheduled. It has been several months since Miel told attorneys he would dismiss the case, but he has yet to issue an opinion clarifying the status of the case. Schafer has become frustrated that proceedings have been drawn out this long, and that there is the possibility the alleged suspect may not face a trial. The most seriously injured officer, who required some 50 staples in his head and face, hopes there will soon be a conclusion to his ordeal, Schafer said. The incident began last October when Bland was written a misconduct ticket by the officer who received the most severe beating. Several hours after receiving the ticket, Bland, presumably still angry, allegedly ambushed the officer who was making his 7 p.m. rounds. The inmate reportedly jumped out of his cell as the officer passed and began striking him with his fists. A second inmate, Freeman, joined in the fracas, striking the officer in the head with the padlock weapon. Officer officers responded to aid the first officer, and both Bland and Freeman retreated to a recreation room where 27 other inmates were lounging. The room was locked down as Bland and Freeman were talked out. Both suspected assailants were taken into custody without further incident. |
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