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Published: 2010-12-22 12:59:06
Updated: 2010-12-22 12:59:06

Posted: December 22, 2010

Vance jail fight leaves one inmate dead, another charged

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Henderson, N.C. — An inmate in the Vance County jail has been charged with second-degree murder following an altercation that left another inmate dead, authorities said Wednesday.

Efrain Torres Rodriguez, 29, punched Cedric Maurice Thomas, 30, in the throat on Dec. 15, crushing his windpipe, Vance County Sheriff Peter White said. Thomas died Monday night, the sheriff said.

Rodriguez was being held on a fugitive warrant from another state and was awaiting extradition when the altercation took place, White said. He also faces a charge of assault on a female.

Thomas was in jail on a probation violation.

Security cameras recently installed in the jail recorded the altercation, White said. The video is part of the investigation into the incident and won't be released to the media, he said.

Copyright 2011 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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@fugitive guy, if you are referring to me being upset, it's because there is so much discrimination when a person is of hispanic orgin, people automatically think they are here illegally and it just makes me angry. I get angry over any kind of discrimination. And when people see my name, they think I'm illegal and the good Lord knows I was born right here in the NC Mountains. I actually don't think it matters if he's illegal or not, for what he did, he deserves his punishment whatever that is deemed to be. He killed a man. That's what this topic should be about, not if he's illegal or not. That's just my opinion.
jescobedo7
December 22, 2010 6:53 p.m.
Wildcat, wow is right, it's crazy isn't it? But rest assured, he (the murderer) will be back out on the streets in no time, another story of a repeat offender is what we'll be reading next!! yaaay for our judicial system!!! The judicial system keeps them out of prisons, guess it's up to us to keep them out of our homes!!
nogade
December 22, 2010 4:37 p.m.
WOW! You locked the criminals up and still they commit crime even murder. Some just don't learn regardless if they are locked up. Now one is charged with murder and the other is dead.
wildcat
December 22, 2010 3:54 p.m.
Where is the executioner in NC? This prisoner should be executed if he is found guilty. Any time a prisoner murders someone in the jail or prison system the penalty should be death - and the appeal should be taken care of within sixty days then have the execution! Also, where were the guards when this was going on? What protection does a prisoner held merely for a probation violation have? Hope this murderer gets his fast! And if he is illegal why would he be in our jail and not deported immediately?
Click to view my profile Tax Man
December 22, 2010 2:56 p.m.
When inmates get into fight in jail they isn't a good investigation. Think of who are you going to interview, INMATES! The charge will probably be reduced. They were in a fight, Rodriguez got a lucky punch & hit him in his windpipe. 1 lucky punch changed a simple affray to second-degree murder. Probably started over a card game or what's on tv. It's sad someone died but this is crazy. U have a bunch inmates together for most likely minor infractions & now 1 dead & another up da creek with no paddle. Ex-Detention Officer.........
brwneyez70
December 22, 2010 2:45 p.m.
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