Correction: The criminal complaint states that Kevin Whitaker notified officials of the incident approximately 90 minutes after it occurred, not that officials responded to the notification approximately 90 minutes after it occurred.
BEAVER, W.Va. — Five inmates at Southern Regional Jail have been indicted for the beating death of a man being held at the facility in February.
According to the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, 38-year-old Kevin Brent Whitaker of Princeton was found unresponsive in his cell Feb. 16. He was transported to a local hospital where he later was pronounced dead.
A grand jury returned indictments against Anthony Lee Johnson, 41, Thomas Antwan Jones, 33, Eugene Lane, 36, Dallas Lauschin, 21, and Galen Stewart, 54. The suspects were arraigned Tuesday in Raleigh County.
According to the criminal complaint, Whitaker had pressed a button in his cell, on the night of the attack, to notify officials he needed attention but remained in his cell unattended for approximately 90 minutes.
Johnson, Lauschin and Jones initially were charged with first degree murder. Following an investigation, charges were filed against Stewart and Lane.
Investigators said the suspects did not appear to be acquainted with the victim, prior to the assault.
At the time of the incident, Whitaker was being held on a DUI charge.