Inmate faces murder charge in state prison guard's death
By Gary Popp
Published in News on February 22, 2011 1:46 PM
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Chardan Whitehead
Chardan Whitehead, 24, of Edgecombe County, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Neuse Correctional Institution officer.
Whitehead was arrested just five days after being released from the Edgecombe County Jail.
He is charged with the death of a Neuse Correctional Officer Edward Ashley Pounds, who died Jan. 9 from injuries sustained in a fight with Whitehead more than a year ago.
The charge stems from an altercation that occurred on Nov. 17, 2009, between Pounds and Whitehead, who was an inmate at the prison at the time.
Whitehead struck Pounds several times on his neck and shoulder area during the altercation, according to a Goldsboro Police Department report.
Pounds was diagnosed with neck injuries, but continued to work at the facility.
He eventually came to suffer lingering pains after the incident and was taken by a family member to Wayne Memorial Hospital, then transferred to Pitt Memorial Hospital, where he died on Jan. 9.
After an investigation by the state Medical Examiner's Office, the cause of Pounds' death was deemed a homicide.
A criminal investigation into his death by Goldsboro police led to a warrant charging Whitehead with murder.
Authorities arrested Whitehead at his Tarboro home on Feb. 17.
He is currently being held without privilege of bond at the Wayne County Jail.