Racine County Jail homicide, man accused of killing fellow inmate
RACINE, Wis. - A Racine man jailed in a pending attempted homicide case is now accused of killing a fellow inmate.
Court records show 29-year-old Davonte Carraway was charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the death of Joseph Lee on Tuesday – a week after the attack and two days after the victim was taken off life support.
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Jail attack
Investigators said Carraway attacked Lee while in the Racine County Jail's dayroom on Dec. 31. A criminal complaint states, based on surveillance video, "it is clear that the two are exchanging words" and Carraway "was the first to swing."
Davonte Carraway; Joseph Lee
Carraway repeatedly punched Lee in the head, according to court filings – at times causing Lee's head to "hit" or "bounce" against the cell door. Lee fell to the floor. Video then showed Carraway drag Lee out of a cell and continue to hit him. He then picked Lee up and dropped him head first into a 55-gallon garbage can. The attack was so severe, Lee inhaled several of his teeth.
The entire attack lasted roughly 47 seconds, per the complaint. Carraway was later seen "shaking hands and joking" as another inmate cleaned up blood.
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In an interview with detectives, prosecutors said Carraway did not deny attacking Lee. He said Lee was going to put
"(Carraway's) personal business out to others." He said Lee "hitched up his pants," so he thought Lee was going to attack him. A review of surveillance footage showed Lee did hitch up his pants, but "made no indication" he was going to attack Carraway.
Racine County Jail attack; inmate off life support, family seeks justice
A Racine County Jail inmate is officially off of life support after his family donated his organs on Sunday, Jan. 5, and said their goodbyes.
The complaint states the attack happened during lunch distribution. No one, including Carraway, tried to seek help from correctional officers, activate an emergency alert or try to render medical aid to Lee. Those who did approach Lee were "forced away" or "scared" by Carraway.
The attack happened around 12:15 p.m. It wasn't until around 12:37 p.m., court filings said, that officers returned to collect lunch trays and found Lee. A call for help was then issued.