Wilkinson County inmate dies after fight

Published 12:27 am Monday, February 20, 2017

WOODVILLE (AP) — Authorities say a prison inmate has been killed after a fight with his cellmate.

Eric Heinz, 33, was pronounced dead shortly before noon Saturday after the fight at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. He had been found unresponsive on the floor of his cell.

A statement from the Mississippi Department of Correction said a preliminary investigation determined Heinz had suffered serious injuries during an alleged fight with his cellmate. MDOC said charges have not been filed the name of the cellmate is not being released at this time.

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“The Mississippi Department of Corrections’ policy is to pursue the harshest penalties available in instances such as this incident,” Interim Corrections Commissioner Pelicia Hall said. “I spoke to District Attorney Ronnie Harper Saturday and asked him to pursue the death penalty, if it is legally available upon the conclusion of our investigation.”

An autopsy to determine the cause of death is pending.

Heinz was serving a total of 20 years for armed robbery and burglary/larceny of an unoccupied dwelling from Lowndes and Monroe counties. He had been in prison since June 24, 2002.