Preliminary Hearing Set For 3 Former Prison Guards in Death Of Tulsa Inmate

A preliminary hearing in Pittsburg County court is set for early June to determine whether three former Oklahoma State Penitentiary guards should be bound over for trial on manslaughter charges.

The three are charged in last year's death of inmate Julius Parker of Tulsa, who died of smoke inhalation after starting a fire in his cell.

8/1/2012 Related Story: Department Of Corrections Identifies Tulsa Inmate Who Died After Cell Fire

Parker was serving a 2005 sentence out of Tulsa County on a robbery with firearm conviction.

Prosecutors charged David Anderson, David Willis and Jay Nair on February 1, 2013 with second-degree manslaughter and one count of willful neglect to perform duty.

2/6/2013 Related Story: Former Guards Charged In Death Of Tulsa Prison Inmate

Attorney Michael Parks, who represents Willis, tells the McAlester News-Capital that he believes his client will be exonerated if the case goes to trial. Nair's attorney, Michael Contreras, says his client performed his duties as ordered and did nothing wrong.

Anderson's attorney did not return a call seeking comment.

Prison officials declined to comment. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.