A fatal encounter between two inmates at the Hernando County Detention Center has led to second-degree murder charges after one inmate died from being kicked in the head. Jory Linn Van Antwerp, 49, sustained a fatal brain injury following an attack by fellow inmate William Harrison Gillespie, 35, as reported by the ABC Action News.
According to Sheriff Al Nienhuis, Van Antwerp, who was in the medical unit for a "very, very serious" illness, was kicked by Gillespie on June 14th. Caught on surveillance video, the attack was unprovoked – Van Antwerp sitting on his bunk when Gillespie walked up and delivered the kick. Despite a rapid decline in his health and a subsequent CT scan showing a brain bleed, he passed away on the following day, as Van Antwerp lay on his bed compliant and non-responsive during the attack, according to footage shared by the sheriff. As Gillespie was called from his locked cell to discuss his involvement in previous altercations, he carried out the aforementioned attack, which Gillespie had been involved in two prior fights since being booked on June 4 for felony battery, as informed by the WTSP.
The Sheriff's Office stated there was no indication that Gillespie knew Van Antwerp or had any prior interaction with him. Following the incident, medical staff checked Van Antwerp, who initially appeared normal and declined further medical assistance. However, his condition soon deteriorated, leading to his hospitalization and subsequent death. The medical examiner confirmed the death was the result of the brain injury, not the inmate's prior medical issues, as the Tampa Bay Times reports.
"He was reacting perfectly normal... everything was fine, he refused medical treatment, there wasn’t any obvious injuries on him," Sheriff Nienhuis told reporters at a press conference, underscoring the unpredictability of the critical internal injury that Van Antwerp suffered. "It was a surprise to us as well as the other inmates," Nienhuis added, discussing the seeming randomness of Gillespie's violent act. Gillespie, after being removed from the medical unit immediately following the incident, has since been charged and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to Van Antwerp's death. As William Harrison's health started to decline, a myriad of questions linger about what measures can be taken to prevent such senseless violence within the walls that are supposed to penitentiaries secure, ensuring the safety of those inside.
