LAKELAND, FL - October 20, 2020 - According to a news report published on the news website TheLedger.com, one Polk County Jail Inmate was murdered Wednesday after the victim was involved in a fight the night prior with two suspects. The two men were arrested and charged by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office stated that the fight transpired due to an alleged debt ended with two Polk County Jail inmates beat to death another inmate who were all being held in a maximum-security dormitory for inmates with violent histories and inmates who have extensive criminal charges. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office report on Wednesday, two inmates locked up at the South County Jail in Frostproof, Florida, have been charged with the beating death of another inmate. The two have been charged with first-degree murder.
The 30-year-old victim sustained severe head trauma during the altercation that occurred on Tuesday. The man passed away due to his injuries at the Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced that two detention deputies observed all three inmates fighting on a second-story walkway. The officers ran to the scene and attempted to end the fight. However, when the officers moved closer, they viewed one of the suspect's stomping on the victim's head while he was lying on the floor. The victim was quickly airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Upon examination, it was later determined that the victim sustained a brain injury.
Inmates who witnessed the fight told detectives that the attack was carried out due to the victim owing food to one of the attackers. Detectives were informed that one of the attackers confronted the victim about the debt, but the victim declined to compensate one of the attackers, and one of the attackers told the victim that he wanted to fight. This is when the victim supposedly punched one of the attackers. According to the Sheriff's office, the victim became unconscious and fell to the floor, which is when one of the attackers started stomping on the victim's head.
The victim had been in the Polk County Jail for approximately two years and is serving time on attempted second-degree murder and several other criminal charges. In one offense, the suspect was caught shooting a rifle at vehicles. The Polk County Sheriff's office stated that the suspect had a criminal record, including ten misdemeanors and 19 felony charges. The charges include aggravated assault, battery, larceny, vehicle theft, escape, violation of probation and possession of methamphetamine, and resisting arrest.
The murder investigation is ongoing. The Polk County Sheriff's office stated that it is a standard protocol for four independent investigations to be conducted on an inmate's death. The Polk County Sheriff's office performs a death investigation and administrative investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner then will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Then all investigative findings are given to the State Attorney's Office for their review and investigation.