Judge Denies Home Detention Bid Of Inmate Beaten by Another Prisoner

A Prince George's County jail inmate who was beaten badly by another inmate when a guard "inadvertently" opened the victim's cell pleaded with a judge yesterday to let him serve the rest of his sentence on home detention, a request that was denied.

DeAndre Wilson, 19, told Circuit Court Judge Melanie Shaw Geter that he feared his life would be in danger if he returned to the Upper Marlboro jail.

"They're waiting for me back in the jail," Wilson said. "People are trying to kill me. I'm trying to not die down in that jail. That jail's a nightmare. I'm scared of that jail."

Wilson said the group that is trying to kill him -- he did not provide a name -- is everywhere in the jail. Wilson said members of the group work in the jail kitchen and could poison his food.

Shaw Geter, who last week ordered the inmate released for a week to seek medical attention from the doctor of his choosing, decided against releasing Wilson early from the 18-month sentence he began serving last September for armed robbery.

Wilson was attacked June 6 in a maximum-security cellblock. In court papers and interviews, Wilson's attorneys said he was asleep in his cell when the other inmate attacked him and dragged him from the cell on the second tier.

Wilson's head bounced off the stairs as the attacker dragged him to the first floor, according to a source who works at the jail, who declined to be identified because he has not been authorized to be interviewed.

Vernon Herron, the county's public safety director, has said a jail officer "inadvertently" opened Wilson's cell door while another inmate was out of his cell. The incident is under investigation, Herron said.

The alleged attacker, Jermain "Juice" Williams, 22, is a member of the Bloods street gang, officials said. Williams, who was jailed awaiting trial for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in the attack on Wilson.

In court yesterday, Wilson's attorney, Thomas C. Mooney, said Wilson has a concussion, a broken nose and blurry vision. Mooney said a doctor who examined Wilson said he should be observed by a neurologist.

Assistant State's Attorney Christopher Walsh argued that Wilson should serve out the remainder of his sentence at the jail. Walsh told Shaw Geter that jail officials have assured him that they can keep Wilson safe and provide proper medical care.