UTAH STATE PRISON — Four Utah State Prison corrections officers have been cleared of wrongdoing in the death of an inmate in September.
On Sept. 13, 2014, Christopher Lee Lucas and Samuel Wise, who were housed in adjacent cells, got into a verbal argument about noise levels and started yelling at each other, according to a report from Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. When the cell doors were opened, Lucas went into Wise's cell and a fight ensued.
When corrections officers arrived, Wise was "repeatedly hitting" Lucas, according to Gill. The officers used OC spray when Wise ignored commands to stop. Officers then fired several pepper ball rounds into the cell after Wise continued beating Lucas.
After both men were separated and handcuffed, Lucas complained of shortness of breath.
"Medics arrived and began to care for Mr. Lucas who at this point couldn’t stand and exhibited signs of distress. Medical personnel provided additional care to Mr. Lucas, but he lost consciousness. Mr. Lucas was transported to Lone Peak Hospital where he died," Gill's report states.
The Utah State Medical Examiner's Office determined there were "three major factors at play as possible causes of this man’s death: his recent altercation with another inmate, his exposure to pepper agents and his underlying mental illness,” according to the report.
The medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide. But Gill said Monday the use of force used by the officers was appropriate.
"Because it appears several factors contributed to Mr. Lucas’ death, and because corrections personnel employed lawful force and methods to break up the inmates’ fight and secure them, we conclude that Mr. Lucas did not die as a result of unlawful means used by corrections personnel. We also therefore conclude that no criminal prosecution against a corrections employee shall be instituted," he said.
Wise was charged with homicide by assault and assault by a prisoner, third-degree felonies, in June. According to charging documents, Wise repeatedly hit Lucas' head and face even though Lucas was not fighting back, was calling for help and stated, "I give up."
One officer used his entire can of pepper spray to try to stop Wise before 14 pepper balls were fired into the cell, the charges state. Wise was convicted of aggravated assault in 2013 after fighting with another man and threatening to shoot him.
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