12-20-2009 Pennsylvania:COAL TOWNSHIP - The death that SCI-Coal Township officials said was a suicide is still under investigation by the Northumberland County Coroner's Office, which says the manner of death is pending the results of that investigation.
On Thursday, David A. Varano, superintendent at the state correctional institution, reported inmate Mark Reeves, 28, committed suicide in his cell Monday night at the prison and was found at approximately 10:30 p.m. by correctional officers making a security check. Reeves, who was housed in the prison's restricted housing unit, was found hanging from a bed sheet, Varano reported through a press release.
It said officers provided emergency first aid until facility medical personnel arrived from the infirmary.
Reeves was transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m. by a hospital doctor.
In accordance with policy, state police were notified about the incident and are conducting an investigation, Varano's statement said.
On Friday, Coroner James F. Kelley said he and State Police Trooper Ronald Zanella of the Stonington barracks are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Reeves' death.
"A press release issued by personnel of SCI-Coal Township stating inmate Reeves committed suicide is unconfirmed at this time," Kelley announced in a statement. "An autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Saralee Funke, M.D., has resulted in the continuation of the investigation."
The official manner of death certified by Kelley on Reeves' death certificate lists "pending investigation," not "suicide," Kelley said.
He said it is not the "job" or authority of any state correctional institution personnel to determine and or issue a release containing the manner or cause of anyone's death; it is the mandated duty of the county coroner.
"Until such time as the joint investigation is completed, the circumstances surrounding, and the cause and manner of Mr. Reeves' death, will not be confirmed or released by the coroner," Kelley's statement said.
Kelley said he and Zanella have spoken with members of the Reeves family.
SCI-Coal Township had also said they contacted next-of-kin.
Reeves was serving a sentence of 4 1/2 to 9 years for rape on a Philadelphia County conviction, effective Dec. 29, 2005. He had been incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township since Dec. 3, 2009. ..Source.. by News-Item Staff)
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Inmate commits suicide
12-18-2009 Pennsylvania:
COAL TOWNSHIP - David A. Varano, superintendent at the State Correctional Institution at Coal Township, reported inmate Mark Reeves, 28, committed suicide in his cell Monday night at the prison.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Varano said correctional officers making a security check in the prison's restricted housing unit found Reeves hanging from a bed sheet.
The officers provided immediate emergency first aid until facility medical personnel arrived from the infirmary.
Reeves was transported by AREA Services Ambulance to Shamokin Area Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m. by a hospital doctor.
In accordance with policy, state police were notified about the incident and are conducting an investigation.
Reeves was serving a sentence of 4 1/2 to 9 years for rape on a Philadelphia County conviction, effective Dec. 29, 2005. He had been incarcerated at SCI-Coal Township since Dec. 3, 2009.
Facility staff have notified Reeves' next-of-kin of his death. ..Source.. by NewsItem.com
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