State prison inmate has been charged with murder of his cellmate

Maryland State Police say they have charged a state prison inmate with the murder of his cellmate earlier in 2016.

The accused inmate is identified as Johnnie Sellers, Jr., 37, who is a state prison inmate in the Maryland Division of Correction.  He is apparently charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, first degree assault and second degree assault.

Officials say the inmate victim is identified as Glenn Smith, 58, and he was a state prison inmate serving time at the Jessup Correctional Institution.

On January 21, 2016, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was reportedly contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Unit about an inmate death.

Investigators apparently told State Police Smith was found in his cell with multiple injuries on January 18, and he was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center and died at the hospital on the morning of January 21.

According to the report, an autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore and determined Smith’s death was a homicide, resulting from multiple blunt force injuries.

Officials say the investigation revealed Smith was last seen uninjured on the evening of January 17, before the cells were locked for the night. Smith apparently shared a cell with another inmate, and the next morning, Smith’s cellmate reported to the tier correctional officer that Smith was injured.

Correctional officers reportedly responded and could see Smith had sustained injuries to his face. Officials say medical assistance was called for and Smith was transported to the hospital.

At the conclusion of their investigation, State Police Homicide Unit investigators apparently reviewed the case with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office.

According to the report, after consultation with members of the state’s attorney’s office, investigators were directed to obtain an arrest warrant charging the suspect with the listed charges.

Officials say the State Police Homicide Unit investigators were assisted in the investigation by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigations Unit.  Assistance was also apparently provided by State Police crime scene technicians and investigators from the State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, as well as members of the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office.