Police Continue Investigation Into Graceville Correctional Facility Murder
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 12:18 AM Mar 20, 2010
Police Continue Investigation Into Graceville Correctional Facility Murder
Authorities are continuing to investigate the death of an inmate at the Graceville Correctional Facility last week.
Posted: 10:47 PM Mar 19, 2010
Reporter: Vanessa Nguyen
Email Address: vanessa.nguyen@wjhg.com
width:200 and height: 120 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 120
Font Size:

Authorities are continuing to investigate the death of an inmate at the Graceville Correctional Facility last week.

31-year-old Jason Owens died the morning of March 12th from injuries he sustained during a physical altercation with another inmate.

His murder is raising several questions from his family.

31-year-old Jason Owens was serving a 15-year sentence at Graceville Correctional Facility for several 2003 burglary convictions out of Pasco County.

Owens will not be serving the last half of his sentence.

He was beaten by another inmate and died from his injuries on March 12th.

"It was a physical altercation, at this point, it appears to be between two inmates, the investigation is progressing well, we do have a suspect," says DOC Communications Director Gretl Plessinger.

Authorities are not releasing the suspect's name, but Plessinger says the State Attorney's Office now has the case.

"Once we confirm the evidence then the State Attorney's Office will be able to charge that individual."

"The prison will not tell me anything."

Owens' sister, Chasity, says she's frustrated by how the prison's warden, Mark Henry, has handled her brother's murder.

"I am angry about that, Mark Henry couldn't even give me any condolences, he told me he would not tell me he was sorry or anything."

Chasity says he brother had turned his life around while in prison.

"He found God. Everybody that I talked to about this said my brother was quiet, he stayed out of trouble, he didn't get into gangs, he was a very good guy."

As for the Owens' family, they say they're just looking for the truth.

DOC officials have moved the suspect in Owens' death to Florida State Prison which is located in Raiford, Florida.

Buddy Check 4
In Remembrance...Deputy Don Williams
Send us your photos and videos!
Video Reports
WTVY.com Features
Get the ingredients you need to cook with Rach all week long.
Today's Hits, Classics & Soaps. Don't miss an episode.
Full length exclusive concerts from hot artists.
Fitness Tips
Lose Weight, Get Fit with Michele
Take a break!
Classic Pacman, Frogger, Asteroids and more.
FREE Listings
Sell almost anything locally.