The Vermont Corrections Commissioner says it appears that a critically injured inmate was asphyxiated during an incident with another inmate at a state prison.
Andrew Pallito said Ryan John’s injuries were extremely serious. He remains hospitalized in critical condition at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
Police say 21-year-old Dakota Gardner is charged with attacking the 19-year-old John on Monday inside the Springfield prison. The Burlington Free Press reports John can be seen on prison surveillance cameras entering Gardner’s cell.
Gardner was being held on an aggravated assault charge. He recently was indicted on federal charges for threatening the life of the president and threatening to injure Gov. Peter Shumlin and his family.
John was being held on a charge of lewd and lascivious conduct.