BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Two inmates at Southern Regional Jail are facing charges in relation to the October death of a 79-year-old man who had also been incarcerated at the facility.
According to Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield, formal charges were filed on Wednesday against Lucas Wagnar and Isaiah McBride, who are said to have initiated a series of attacks on Douglas Cunningham which are believed ultimately to have resulted in the death of the senior offender.
Cunningham, who was bound to a wheelchair for at least some of his time at Southern Regional Jail, was arrested on a Capias warrant. Nonetheless, the defendants are said to have referred to Cunningham as a child molester during the multiple attacks. Bruising and broken bones are among the discoveries purportedly made by a state medical examiner analyzing the body in the wake of the incident.
The charges against the individuals have been filed under WV Code §62-8-1 which pertains to inmate offenses. Per this section of the state code, inmate offenses leading to the death of another inmate will bring about a life sentence with no opportunity for parole or mercy from the court.
Additionally, this section of code prevents the release of inmates being held as the crimes are being prosecuted. Thus, the offenders are currently being held in custody without bond.
The death of Cunningham while in custody of Southern Regional Jail is but one of many which have occurred in recent years. These recurring incidents have led to litigation against the facility, and local community members have become increasingly restless in their demands for answers regarding these tragic happenings.
