Dead inmate might have gone uncounted for days

[Informer]

Dead inmate might have gone uncounted for days

McALESTER -- An inmate who was found dead in his cell at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary might have been strangled two or more days before his body was found Monday, an official said Thursday.

Warden's Assistant Terry Crenshaw said William P. Smith might have been dead since late Friday or early Saturday.

Smith, 55, had several felony convictions, including two for shooting with intent to kill from Creek County, and one for possession of a controlled dangerous substance from Oklahoma County, the Department of Corrections' Web site shows.

Crenshaw said it appears that Smith was strangled.

The prison conducts "stand-up counts of inmates," three times a day -- at 9 a.m. and 4:30 and 8 p.m., Crenshaw said.

Part of the investigation into Smith's death is focused on how Smith could have gone uncounted for days, he said.

Smith's cellmate, whom Crenshaw would not identify, has been moved to restricted housing, he said.

[Bobshouse]

Maybe his cellie propped him up against the wall during count times...lol

[FedUp]

All I know is that his cellie has one hell of a nose to stand that!

[dvdwhisenhunt]

Man you must be pretty desperate for friends to have a dead man as a cellmate.

[JCoffin]

Cellie might have had alot of crackers with nothing to go on them....sorry sick humor.

[all4114all]

Originally Posted by dvdwhisenhunt

Man you must be pretty desperate for friends to have a dead man as a cellmate.

perhaps it was better than a random who knows what you are getting as a cellie!

[juvieco36]

Originally Posted by Bobshouse

Maybe his cellie propped him up against the wall during count times...lol

We had this happen a few month ago. It only went on for a few hours but his cell mate would move him around so when the C/O did there checks it would look like he is ok. When we came on shift at 4pm another inmate in the quad slipped the Sgt. a note telling him about the dead inmate.

[juvieco36]

Originally Posted by juvieco36

We had this happen a few month ago. It only went on for a few hours but his cell mate would move him around so when the C/O did there checks it would look like he is ok. When we came on shift at 4pm another inmate in the quad slipped the Sgt. a note telling him about the dead inmate.

The funny part is the killer ate the dead guys lunch. There were many trips to the inspectors office for the people working in that dorm on that day. They are charging the guy with 1st degree murder. He is already serving life.

[coloradosgt79]

Leave him alone he was hungry.

[Craven Moorehead]

Let me find out that was Cory's unit! LOL