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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Latest Comments

SOT has hit it on the head once again. SOT for president

welfare blows
May 29, 2007 7:16 p.m.

So a young guy kills a much older one. Sad, but not much different than being out on the streets.

Praying for the loved ones of them both.

God bless.

Rev. RB

spiritwarriorwoman1
May 29, 2007 3:29 p.m.

I knew him , since i was little. Charlie that is. He wasn't a bad guy. He treated us like family and was my fathers friend along with his two brothers who survive him. He leaves behind a mother, who loved him, and a daughter my age. I have nothing hurtful to those of you that say yay to this. Your conscience will handle that. And this wasn't two killers in a cell fighting it out. Charlie wasn't there for a violent crime at all if you read the article. But he is gone, a death sentence handed out before the trial. Bless his memory in the eyes of those who loved him, and bless his soul which has moved on to a better place. May none of you ever suffer this or the loss of a family member this way. What a cruel painful way to die. Even executions aren't preformed in this manner.

familyfriendsaddened
May 29, 2007 1:02 p.m.

Coley had relatively minor charges against him before this incident. I wonder what could have happened to bring about this situation & what could have been done in advance to prevent it.