Inmate Killed At State Prison In McAlester

Associated Press

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) -- Prison officials say a 23-year-old inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester has been found dead following an attack by his cell mate.

Department of Corrections spokesman Jerry Massie says prison guards found Paul Duran Jr. dead in his cell about 10 p.m. Wednesday.

He says the victim's cell mate, 32-year-old Jessie Dalton, has been moved into segrated housing.

Massie says investigators think Dalton beat Duran to death by punching and kicking him.

Prison records show Dalton was serving life without parole for an Oklahoma County first-degree murder conviction, while Duran was serving a 28-year sentence for armed robbery.

Massie says authorities will turn over their findings to the district attorney once an investigation has been completed, and prosecutors will decide what charges will be filed.