Jail Officer Beats Tiny Inmate to Death

NORTH CAROLINA Wake County detention officer Markeith Council is being charged with voluntary manslaughter after killing an inmate. The departed, Shon Demetrius McClain had been in custody just over two weeks due to the misdemeanor charges: possession of drug paraphernalia and drinking alcohol in public. McClain was 40-years-old and a mere 119 lbs.

The footage deptics the 290 lb officer repeatedly slamming McClain onto the floor like a rag doll. McClain passed away 13 days after the altercation from blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

McClain reportedly confronted Council accusing him of nearly crushing his hand in the cell door. Council testified that McClain struck him in the jaw, although the footage clearly depicts Council acting first when he shoves the inmate off his feet prior to any other physical contact.

During his cross-examination Wednesday, Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby focused on the physical differences between the men. Willoughby asked Council whether he considered subduing McClain by sitting on him, rather than slamming him to the ground.

“Why did you throw him down the second time?” the prosecutor asked. “You know that at that point, throwing him down was going to hurt him.”

Council replied: “I didn’t think to hurt him. I was thinking about getting him off of me.”