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Man Charged in Fellow Inmate's Death

A man serving more than 19 years in prison on a statutory rape conviction now faces a murder charge in the death of a fellow inmate.

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Edward Wiley
LAURINBURG, N.C. — A man serving 19 years in prison on a statutory rape conviction now faces a murder charge in the death of a fellow inmate.

Edward Curk Wiley, 25, was charged with first-degree murder following the stabbing death of Gary N. Bell, 41, according to the Scotland County Sheriff's Office.

Department of Correction spokesman Keith Acree said Wiley confessed to the killing. Charges against additional inmates are expected to be filed soon, he said.

Authorities said "an edged weapon" was used in the stabbing, but they did not say what started the altercation between the two inmates.

Bell was serving a 12-year sentence based on a Sampson County conviction as a habitual felon in 2002.

He had numerous convictions in Sampson County, including breaking and entering, assault on a police officer, larceny and driving while impaired, according to Department of Correction records.

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