Prison homicides rare at Dayton-area facilities

Homicides in area prisons have been rare in recent years, data show as officials continue to investigate the death of an inmate at the Lebanon Correctional Institution that occurred after an altercation with another inmate.

From 2000-14, there were three incidents involving inmates killing other inmates at facilities in the region, according to a 2015 report from the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee. One of those, a 2003 homicide that occurred after an inmate became upset because of dust on his television, also was at Lebanon Correctional.

There were 26 total homicides in Ohio prisons from 2000-14, most commonly carried out with fists or no weapon, according to the report.

The CIIC also found that Lebanon Correctional was Ohio's most violent prison from 2012-14 in a report issued earlier this year.

The number of homicides spiked in 2013

No weapon or just fists most common

Three incidents were at area prisons

Nov. 13, 2000, Warren Correctional Institution: Timothy Hancock put the victim, Jason E. Wagner, into a restraint hold after telling him they were going to fake a hostage situation to gain a transfer. After tying the hands and feet, Hancock also put strips around the Wagner's neck with the intention of killing him by strangulation for "what Victim did to the little girl." Wagner, who was being protected from other inmates, was serving a sentence of 44 years-to-life for attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, felonious assault, endangering a child and possession of criminal tools. (Read more: Strangled inmate was in protective custody unit)
Jan. 6, 2003, Lebanon Correctional Institution: Daniel Hairston, who was upset about his cellmate leaving dust on his television, built a "weapon made of pencils." His cellmate, Ronald Rogers, had been known to cause fights. The morning after an argument, Rogers tried to place Hairston in a headlock, and Hairston began stabbing the victim with the pencils. He then strangled Rogers. (Read more: Cellmate indicted on murder charge)
April 5, 2011, Warren Correctional Institution: Witnesses saw the suspect, Jeffrey Benner, and the victim, Brandon Copas, talking outside of a cell and speculated Copas was "taunting (Benner about Benner) having his property stolen by other inmates when he went to segregation earlier." After they embraced, witnesses said, Benner punched Copas twice in the face, and Copas hit his head on the floor and started convulsing. He died early the next morning. (Read more: State to pay $350,000 in inmate wrongful death case)

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About the Author

Kyle Nagel

Kyle Nagel is the Managing Editor of Innovation, leading teams focused on creating and delivering digital content to our audience.