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Vance County Inmate Dead; Fellow Inmate Charged With Murder

An Vance County jail inmate has been charged with murder in the weekend death of another prisoner.

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Vance County Inmate Dead, Fellow Inmate Charged With Murder
HENDERSON, N.C. — Vance County sheriff's officials said Sunday that a jail prisoner had been charged with murder in the weekend death of another prisoner.

A detention officer found Charles Cleveland Dillard, 52, of 739 Hicksboro Road, semi-conscious on the bottom bunk of his cell about 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Sheriff Peter White said. Dillard was pronounced dead at Maria Parham Hospital shortly thereafter, according to White.

"It is alleged that Mr. Dillard had a physical altercation with another inmate, Curtis W. Coley," White said in a press release. White had indicated Saturday that no prisoner-prisoner activity was involved, and officials did not disclose then that Dillard had died.

The State Bureau of Investigation charged Coley with second-degree murder, and he was being held under an additional $250,000 bond. His arraignment was set for June 4.

Coley, 34, of 49 Ridge Path Lane, was already being held under several bonds totaling $27,629, White said. He already faced charges of obtaining property by false pretense, misdemeanor larceny, second-degree trespass and failure to pay child support.

Dillard had been incarcerated since Dec. 1, 2006, and was being held under a $15,000 bond for felony possession of stolen goods.

Sheriff's officials were awaiting autopsy results and said the investigation was ongoing.

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