Three Mississippi correctional officers indicted in inmate assault case
Two Mississippi correctional officers have been indicted on suspicion of excessive force in the beating of an inmate and a third is charged with helping to cover up the assault.
A nine-count indictment, unsealed Tuesday, charges Lawardrick Marsher, 28, and Robert Sturdivant, 47, with a beating that included kicking, punching and throwing the victim to the ground. Sturdivant also failed to intervene while Marsher punched and beat the inmate at Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, the indictment alleges.
Deonte Pate, 23, was charged with conspiring with the other two officers to cover up the beating. All three submitted false reports and lied to the FBI, according to the indictment.
If convicted, Marsher and Sturdivant face up to 10 years in prison on the excessive force charges. All three officers face up to five years in prison on the conspiracy and false statement charges and up to 20 years on the false report charges.
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