The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) confirmed an inmate at the Gib Lewis Prison Unit in Woodville has been beaten to death by another inmate, reported KJAS.com.
According to TDCJ spokesman Robert C. Hurst, shortly before 3 a.m. on Jan. 6, staff discovered inmate Danny Luken with injuries consistent with physical assault. Hurst said Luken was taken by ambulance to Tyler County Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Hurst reported that Luken’s cellmate, Jason Mark Ryder, was identified as the assailant.
According to Hurst, Luken had been in prison since 1986 and was serving a life sentence plus a total of 84 years for the following crimes: burglary of a habitation with intent to commit sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault of a correctional officer, prohibited substance in a correctional facility, and aggravated assault of a correctional officer. Hurst stated Ryder has been in prison since 2002 and is serving 70 years for two murder convictions and injury to a child.