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| Inmate's Death Adds to Concerns About Ind. Jail |
| By Indianapolis Star |
| Published: 07/21/2003 |
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A Marion County, Ind., inmate has died of injuries he suffered in an attack by another prisoner, authorities said, underscoring the dangers in the state's most crowded jail system. Kenneth Carpenter, 44, lingered in a coma for six days after he was beaten, kicked and choked July 1. He was pronounced dead at Wishard Memorial Hospital at 12:15 p.m. Monday -- about three hours before U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker, Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson and others embarked on a tour of the jail and lockup. In a hearing Tuesday, the killing went unmentioned, but Barker told county leaders to find the money for more officers by Monday and use extra space in the Marion County Lockup for holding jail inmates. Eleven officers were on duty at the time of the attack, guarding 1,331 inmates. The assault, which happened in the lockup, was caught on videotape and included a celebratory dance over the victim by his apparent attacker, Larry T. Thomas, authorities said. Officers saw the attack unfolding on a video screen but could not reach the cell in time. Officers had to go down a 25-foot hallway and open a locked door to reach the two men. The Sheriff's Department and the prosecutor's office refused to release the video, saying it was evidence in an investigation. An autopsy performed Tuesday determined Carpenter was strangled and suffered significant trauma to his neck, Coroner John McGoff said. Both Carpenter and Thomas were arrested July 1 -- the day of the deadly assault. At the hearing, the judge said county officials are obligated to offer safe and humane conditions for inmates. |
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