BARBOURSVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A physical altercation between two inmates at Western Regional Jail earlier this month has turned deadly, leading to a voluntary manslaughter charge for one of the men involved.
According to State Trooper E.H. Bennett, investigators at the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville reported the incident on May 19. The altercation originally occurred on May 11, 2025, between two inmates inside the facility. The victim, Lonnie Wayne Smith Jr., 44, of Hurricane, sustained serious head injuries during the fight and was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment.
Smith succumbed to his injuries six days later, on May 17, due to trauma sustained during the assault.
Following a full investigation and after receiving the official incident report from jail investigators on June 25, Trooper Bennett consulted with Cabell County Prosecutor Jason Spears. Based on the findings, an arrest warrant was issued for the accused, Allen Curtis Adkins, 34, of Milton.
Adkins, who was still incarcerated at Western Regional Jail, was formally charged with voluntary manslaughter. He is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing.
