Prison inmate convicted of beating one cellmate, blinding another
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A jury in Spokane has convicted a state prison inmate accused of blinding a cellmate and beating another cellmate in a gruesome attack in 2010 at Airway Heights Corrections Center.
The jury deliberated for just a few hours Tuesday before finding Michael West Jr., 36, guilty of first- and second degree assault.
Defense attorney Derek Reid had argued that West should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Spokesman-Review reports an earlier jury convicted West of attacking and raping his girlfriend and of first-degree murder for the 2004 killing of 21-year-old Christopher Rentz, who was West's cellmate in the Spokane County Jail. West is not scheduled to be released from state prison until 2048.
The paper says the state Department of Corrections is facing a civil suit filed on behalf of the cellmate blinded in the 2010 attack, after prison officials agreed to transfer West from the maximum security prison in Walla Walla to the medium security prison in Airway Heights.
The jury deliberated for just a few hours Tuesday before finding Michael West Jr., 36, guilty of first- and second degree assault.
Defense attorney Derek Reid had argued that West should be found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Spokesman-Review reports an earlier jury convicted West of attacking and raping his girlfriend and of first-degree murder for the 2004 killing of 21-year-old Christopher Rentz, who was West's cellmate in the Spokane County Jail. West is not scheduled to be released from state prison until 2048.
The paper says the state Department of Corrections is facing a civil suit filed on behalf of the cellmate blinded in the 2010 attack, after prison officials agreed to transfer West from the maximum security prison in Walla Walla to the medium security prison in Airway Heights.
Must have resented getting his fudge packed!
OK... so he killed his cellmate in 2004 but was still later moved to a medium security prison and allowed to have cellmates again? Which he beat and blinded? AND he has a release date?? I don't know who's crazier... this guy or the prosecuter... or the "system."
We really do need to amp up our use of the death penalty. Some people have no business sucking up our precious air.
Ooh he's crazy, have mercy! Eff that, take him out in the yard and put two in his head, save everyone the money and save anyone else ol' crazypants might harm.
I guess some people need to be locked in a cage all by them selves and poked with a stick.
Doers he really need to live?
Wait! So jail inmates fighting each other and stuff is not common? That's why this one instance makes the news?
Why was he scheduled for release at all? Â
@TheReal_Fedor That was my immediate question!
Airway Heights Corrections Center you're doing it wrong.
You know, I think this guy is the perfect candidate for the take them out back and shoot them program. Â He is obviously not going to be rehabilitated in any way, shape or form and is an immediate danger to those around him. Â
@stamperzann I'll supply the gun, bullet, scope, trigger AND finger.......just set a date.
To hell with that. Some lumber and nails for a platform, and a length of rope, would provide genuine justice here. This horrendous freak is a perfect example of a human being that truly deserves to be executed. Not only to protect other undeserving inmates, but prison and justice staff as well. Not to mention the rest of us that are in danger when these freaks escape from prison. Hang em.
@Woodswalker @Rick4001CS You can always recycle by reloading the bullet, but the attorney will argue that the bullet was loaded hot with the intention to kill :P
@Rick4001CS And all that is reusable ..and lead-free to boot.  Got to remember...reduce, reuse and recycle.
@Harley-H.S.C. @stamperzann I'll spring for the chips & dip