SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Closing arguments are expected in the federal court trial of an inmate who killed a guard inside a Pennsylvania prison.
The defense attorney for 40-year-old inmate Jessie Con-ui (kawn-WEE’) acknowledges he killed Correctional Officer Eric Williams at the Canaan federal prison in Waymart in February 2013. But the defense has argued Con-ui killed the 34-year-old guard because he felt “disrespected” over a cell search earlier that evening. The defense is hoping a jury will spare Con-ui the death penalty and sentence him to life in prison if he’s convicted.
Federal prosecutors say Con-ui stabbed Williams more than 200 times with two homemade shanks, then kicked and stomped on his face, head and neck. Con-ui then took a piece of gum from the dying guard’s pocket before returning to his cell.
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The arguments are expected Wednesday.
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