PRISONER ACCUSED OF KILLING CELL MATE

A FORMER PRISONER AT THE CHARLOTTE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND A CONVICTED KILLER HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY TO FACE MURDER CHARGES IN THE DEATH OF HIS CELL MATE.  THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SAYS 28 YEAR OLD RICKY MORRIS WAS FOUND BY PRISON EMPLOYEES UNRESPONSIVE AND BLEEDING INSIDE HIS SHARED CELL ON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 19^TH OF LAST YEAR.  HE DIED A MONTH LATER AT A MEDICAL FACILITY OUTSIDE OF THE PRISON.  HIS CELL MATE, 24 YEAR OLD LEO BOATMAN WAS IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPECT AND TRANSFERRED TO A PRISON IN BRADFORD COUNTY WHILE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED.  COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THAT BOATMAN BEAT MORRIS TO DEATH BY PUNCHING, KICKING, STOMPING, AND SMASHING HIS FACE ON THE CEMENT FLOOR.  AN ARREST WARRANT WAS ISSUED FOR BOATMAN LAST MONTH AND HE IS CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER.  HE IS SCHEDULED FOR ARRAIGNMENT ON MARCH 21^ST.