West Virginia Officers Admit to Not Stopping Inmate's Death
- Two correctional officers in West Virginia have pleaded guilty for not intervening in the beating of an inmate that led to his death in 2022.
- The officers were accused of failing to stop their colleagues from the violent act.
- This case highlights serious concerns about the treatment of inmates and accountability within correctional facilities.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — In a significant development, two former correctional officers from the Southern Regional Jail in West Virginia pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday for their roles in the death of 37-year-old Quantez Burks in 2022. Jacob Boothe and Ashley Toney admitted to violating Burks's civil rights by failing to intervene during a brutal assault by their colleagues. Their admissions come as part of a broader investigation that has raised serious concerns about the treatment of inmates at the facility. Burks, who was a pretrial detainee facing a wanton endangerment charge, died less than 24 hours after being booked into the jail. The incident has drawn attention to the conditions within the Southern Regional Jail, leading to a $4 million settlement in November 2023 for a class-action lawsuit filed by inmates alleging inhumane treatment. Court documents reveal that Burks was assaulted while restrained and handcuffed after attempting to leave his housing unit. The state medical examiner initially attributed Burks's death to natural causes, but a private autopsy commissioned by his family uncovered multiple blunt force trauma injuries. Toney and Boothe, who were among six officers indicted by a federal grand jury, acknowledged their failure to protect Burks and admitted to escorting him to a surveillance-free interview room where the assault occurred. Sentencing for Boothe and Toney is set for November 4, as the case continues to highlight systemic issues within the West Virginia correctional system.