Deadly riot at the state prison in Cushing raises concerns

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The family of an inmate killed in a March prison riot say he wasn't a racist, but joined a white supremacist gang for protection.<br/><br/>Authorities say 32-year-old Adam Lippert

Sunday, May 1st 2005, 11:16 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The family of an inmate killed in a March prison riot say he wasn't a racist, but joined a white supremacist gang for protection.

Authorities say 32-year-old Adam Lippert was stabbed to death on March 22nd when 40 black inmates rushed him and 14 other white prisoners. Lippert was serving time for drug crimes at the Cimarron Correctional Facility in Cushing.

Lippert's sister -- Amanda Lippert -- says her brother joined the United Aryan Brotherhood because he needed protection in the prison.

The riot at Cushing was one of several race- or gang-related fights in Oklahoma prisons. In all, more than 50 inmates have been injured since March.