SUNBURY —
U.S. Rep. Tom Marino said he will investigate what happened Monday night at the U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan, where a corrections officer from Luzerne County was killed by an inmate.
The slaying of Eric Williams, 34, of Nanticoke, should never have happened, Marino said.
“These guys have no line of defense,” said Marino, R-10 of Cogan Station. “I have been pushing since last year for Congress to act on getting something together so our guards can at least be able to carry Mace. They are law enforcement, and all law enforcement individuals have the toughest jobs.”
Mace is a brand of tear gas that is packaged in an aerosol canister and stuns its victims.
The U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan, a high-security prison for men in Waymart, houses nearly 1,500 inmates.
Officials say Williams was killed by an inmate who used a homemade weapon and died from “a combination of blunt head and neck trauma and hemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds and cuts.”
Williams was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m.
“This is clearly the darkest day in our institution’s short history, and we are in shock over this senseless loss of a colleague and friend,” Warden David Ebbert said in a statement.
A spokesman from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons said the prison, which opened in 2005, remained in lockdown Wednesday and that the FBI is investigating the attack. The U.S. attorney’s office declined to comment on potential charges against the inmate, citing an ongoing investigation.
“Some of these guys are lifers and have nothing to lose,” said Marino, a former federal prosecutor.
Marino said he will visit the prison, speak to Warden Ebbert and was planning to visit with the Williams family.
The U.S. Penitentiary at Lewisburg houses roughly 1,400 inmates inside the maximum security prison and has about 500 outside the walls at the camp location.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and staff at Canaan,” said John Adami, spokesman for the U.S. Penitentiary at Lewisburg. “We offer our support and any and all assistance that is needed.”
Williams was working alone in a unit housing about 130 inmates and was preparing to lock them into their cells for a nightly head-count when he was attacked, said Philip Glover, the northeast regional vice president for the guards union.
Williams would have been equipped with only a radio, keys and handcuffs, and that Marino said is a problem.
“I will be pushing in Congress to get this problem addressed,” Marino said. “I understand they can’t have guns but we need to at least address that these guys need some form of defense.”
n Email comments to fscarcella@dailyitem.com.
News
Marino vows to probe prison slaying
- News
-
-
Couple face charges in stabbings prompted by 'Idol' dispute
YORK — A couple face charges after police in York County say they stabbed each other during an argument over which contestant should win 'American Idol.'
-
Monroe Township sewing factory may get to rebuild
SELINSGROVE — The Monroe Township supervisors are working on a proposal that may allow EMS Surgical Equipment to rebuild its sewing factory, which was destroyed by fire in February on a nearby lot.
-
Danville to share information on new cyber program at June parent session
A parent information session for the Danville school district’s new cyber program will be held June 3 at 6 p.m. in the Danville High School cafeteria.
-
Governor says distribution center near Hazleton will bring jobs
HAZLETON — Gov. Tom Corbett says American Eagle Outfitters Inc. is planning a $160 million-plus distribution center near Hazleton that is projected to generate nearly 400 jobs.
-
House panel moves to curb military sexual assaults
WASHINGTON — Members of a House panel angry over sexual abuse problems in the military are set to vote on a bill that would strip commanding officers of their authority to unilaterally change or dismiss court-martial convictions — a change that lawmakers believe will lead to a cultural shift that encourages more victims to step forward.
-
Pennsylvania Constitution Center to display Bill of Rights
PHILADELPHIA — One of the 12 surviving copies of the Bill of Rights that may have been pilfered from Pennsylvania in the late 1800s will be on display in Philadelphia for three years, beginning with the 225th anniversary next year of the drafting of the country’s highest ideals.
-
Public info meeting on Rail Trail extension takes place tomorrow
LEWISBURG -- Rail Trail fans, listen up: An informational meeting on the proposed extension of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail into Lewisburg borough takes place 7 p.m. tomorrow at the William Cameron Engine Co's. training facility at North Fifth Street and Buffalo Road.
-
Gas line break forces one-hour evacuation in Milton
MILTON — Residents in Milton were forced out of their homes for over an hour this morning after a contractor working on Carr Avenue hit a gas line, according to UGI.
-
Today's Top Videos
-
Lewisburg schools lockdown lifted within 20 minutes this morning
LEWISBURG - Schools in the Lewisburg Area School District were locked down briefly this morning due to "a potential threat," according to the district's alert system.
-
Long-time Beavertown mayor ousted by 14 votes
Political newcomer Lee Hollenbach Jr. defeated incumbent Mayor Cloyd “Bill” Wagner in Tuesday night’s Republican primary.
-
Dunkleberger wins Republican primary for prothonotary
Justin Dunkelberger defeated Jamie Saleski 2,744-2,124 in a hotly contested Republican primary election Tuesday night for Northumberland County prothonotary and clerk of courts.
-
Persing wins Republican nod for mayor
Incumbent Mayor David Persing, who fought off repeated allegations in recent months by challenger Julie Brosius, won the Republican nomination by a landslide in Tuesday’s primary election.
-
10 Things to Know for Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:
-
FBI: Man fatally shot in Boston bombing probe
ORLANDO, Fla. — A man being questioned in the Boston Marathon bombing case was shot to death at his home by an FBI agent today after turning violent, officials said.
-
Fire destroys $60G cottage in Union County
WINFIELD — A fire swept through a Winfield home while its occupants were at work Tuesday.
-
2013 Primary Election - Top Races
Unofficial primary election returns
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts
Republican
Justin R. Dunkelberger 2,744
Jamie Saleski 2,124100 percent reporting
Magisterial District Judge
08-3-02, Milton
Republican
Larry Redington 496
Mike Diehl 684
Lisa A. Riley 328
Seth M. Cotner 132
Democrat
Larry Regington 182
Seth M. Cotner 90
Mike Diehl 221Lisa A. Riley 218
100 percent reporting
Sunbury Mayor
Republican
Julie Brosius 200
David L. Persing 378100 percent reporting
Sunbury Treasurer
Republican
Stanley E. Geiswhite 176
Kevin E. Troup 388
100 percent reportingUNION COUNTY
County Coroner
Republican
Tod M. Steese 542
Dominick T. Adamo 1,04963 percent reporting
Gregg Township
Alcohol Sales: Do you favor the granting of liquor license for the sale of liquor in the Township of Gregg?
Yes 82
No 72
100 percent reporting -
Midd-West adopts preliminary budget
Faced with a firm deadline in which to adopt a preliminary budget for 2013-14, the Midd-West school board reversed its vote late Monday night and approved the $32.85 million plan.
- More News Headlines
-
Couple face charges in stabbings prompted by 'Idol' dispute
