Accused Cop-Killer Strangled In Cell

Teen Found Dead After Being Charged In Hit-And-Run Death Of Md. Officer; FBI Investigating

(CBS/ AP)  A man arrested in the hit-and-run death of a police officer was found strangled in his cell, and investigators focused Tuesday on guards at the suburban Maryland jail, which has a history of security lapses.

As state police took over the investigation, an attorney for inmate Ronnie L. White's family said the young man's attackers "took it upon themselves to be both the judge, the jury and the executioner."

White's death shocked and angered officials in Prince George's County, including County Executive Jack Johnson, who likened it to "vigilante justice."

Investigators from the FBI and state police joined the case Monday after the state medical examiner concluded that White had been strangled Sunday morning.

White, 19, was arrested early Saturday on charges of ramming a stolen pickup truck into police Cpl. Richard Findley. Findley had gotten out of his police cruiser Friday while trying to conduct a traffic stop on the truck. White allegedly struck him and dragged him for a short distance in the community of Laurel.

Johnson immediately moved to curb speculation that White's death was the result of police officers seeking revenge, saying the slaying was "unrelated to any act" by police.

Attorney Bobby G. Henry Jr., who represented White's family, urged the U.S. Department of Justice to join the investigation.

"This did not happen on some dark, abandoned, lonely road. This happened in broad daylight in the custody of county officials, and something is wrong," said Henry, Jr.

In a statment, the U.S. Attorney's office said it "will provide guidance and legal advice to the officials looking into the death and seeking to develop evidence of criminal violations."

County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey said his office would convene a grand jury to review evidence in the case. He said investigators were scrutinizing seven correctional officers who had access to White, who was being held separately from other inmates. Ivey also said other workers at the county jail and inmates would be questioned.

"We'll follow the evidence wherever it leads," he said.

Rich Wolf, an FBI spokesman in Baltimore, confirmed that the agency had opened a civil rights case, but he would not comment on the investigation. Calls to state police were not immediately returned.

White's death is the latest in a series of security lapses at the jail, which is 20 miles outside Washington in one of Maryland's largest counties. Last month, the county's corrections director was fired after guns vanished from the armory. In February, a former police official convicted of second-degree murder was found with a handcuffs key.

A corrections officer suspected of being a gang member was charged in March with bringing cell phones to inmates who were members of the Bloods street gang. And earlier this year, two female officers were suspended for allegedly having sexual contact with inmates.

More than 450 guards work at the 20-year-old facility, which had an average daily population of 1,489 prisoners during the 2007 fiscal year. White was being held in a cell by himself, to protect him from other prisoners, because of the high profile of his alleged crime.

"This shouldn't happen," Johnson said Monday night. "Every citizen we bring into our custody should be protected."

Curtis Knowles, head of the county's correctional officers union, said Tuesday that union lawyers advised him not to comment on the case because of the investigation. On Monday, he urged people not to reach any conclusions before the investigation had run its course.

Corrections officials have said White had no visible signs of trauma on his body when guards bringing him a meal found him slumped on the floor next to his bed about 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Guards say they say White alive 20 minutes before finding his body and no one reported hearing anything unusual. With no surveillance cameras watching White's cell block, there's no image of the killer entering or leaving White's lockup, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

A preliminary autopsy by the state medical examiner in Baltimore ruled the death a homicide and found two broken bones in his neck.

None of the seven guards or an unspecified number of supervisors who could have had contact with White have been suspended or placed on leave during the investigation, according to Vicki Duncan, spokeswoman for the corrections division.

White had a prior criminal record that included serving time for drug charges.

[mialove1963]

The problem with the system is the officers are allowed to do whatever they want and all the other ones stick up for them...just like the officer that raped an inmate at Attica correctional he got 90 days paid suspention and is right back there to rape again.....i know the things that go on in our prisons because i have a child in the system ...its sad the things those officers do to these inmates...but when you call albany or internal affairs you get no justice, half of the inmates in our prisons are not guilty but the system says they are because they make over 100% profit on each inmate so guilty or not there putting them in jail for the money... someone please speak up and help these human beings from the abuse, and if they are guilty then let them do there time and leave them alone, the problem is these officers are on power trips and our system is allowing this to happen...concerned parent!!!

[mialove1963]

lipsluv2spit....i hope one of your loved ones end up in our system so you can feel whats it like....this just goes to show you the ignorance in this world...

[cheddarboy82]

he killed a cop...eye for an eye. One less criminal to worry about, good !

[mialove1963]

too the family this happened to....my love goes out to you''s and i hope and pray justice is served...

[acolton1]

I dont like to judge people but this DOUSCHBAG ran over and killed a Police OFFICER.

I really don''t feel very sorry for Ronnie White and he is ghetto trash for running over and killing a COP.

I will say that It is Wrong for Whom Ever did have Access to his Cell and strangled Ronnie White. These Young Kids Kill People and gang up on Homelss People and beat them to death laugh about it and think its no big deal. Their White Trash or Black Ghetto Parents teach them NO MORALS or Common Courtsey and these 14-15-16-17+ year old kids need to be tried as an adult and get the death penality and the sentence to be carried out within 30 days. That will sure change the minds of these YOUNG PUNKS pulling this POOP in Society.

[edward1975-2009]

Yeah this fine upstanding citizen really didn''t deserve this. My thoughts and prayers to his family. But for goodness sakes, why do we waste breath and time on these who wish to lead this type of life.

[newsjunky5]

"GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one less expense "

-----------------------------

Their state police and the FBI are investigating. I really don''t think we''re saving money with this vigilante justice. Getting off on this kind of incident shows YouNeedToGetLaidMore. And besides, he would have suffered more if left alive, if you get into that sort of thing. Too bad for the slain officer, too.

[credibility2]

And of course, the cop killer''s family isn''t outraged over what their low-life relative did to the cop. I say, justice has been served, whatever the circumstances for carrying it out. I have no sympathy for what happens to gang-bangers and criminals like this. Society is better off now.

[eldunn53]

Gee, to think we in the Baltimore area have been robbed of all the positive contributions Ronnie could have made to our city. I''m thinking an MD at Johns Hopkins, a Portfolio Manager at T. Rowe Price, a broker at Legg Mason, an engineer at Constellation Energy. The sky was the limit for a fellow with all his positive attributes. And to think, he got nabbed for that little ''ole business about running over a cop and crushing his skull. What a crazy world we live in!

[shellym1614]

So much for not judging people. It get''s really old reading stuff from people like you. It''s a tragedy that both the cop and the boy died. Let''s not loose site of how precious both their lives were.

[richzurb]

He angrily denounced the actions that led to White''s death, saying the perpetrators "took it upon themselves to be both the judge, the jury and the executioner."

This is a really good attorney I believe both implies two things while judge, jury and executioner are three.

[jetlizhan]

you play, you pay.

[mialove1963]

i''m not saying what he did was right...but thats something for god to decide...not the people we have running our prisons...2 wrongs don''t make a right!!!

[extremophil]

That''s a shame :)

[sociald63]

justice was served - so, what''s the problem ??

[mialove1963]

this world is so corrupted by ignorance. not only by the teenagers ...but the people we have running our systems as well. and only people doing the same would find justice in it......

[berniepeders]

"but thats something for god to decide..."
Posted by mialove1963

So, did your god decide to let this habitual criminal run over and kill this police officer? Did he decide to let someone enter Whites cell and end HIS life? Huh?
Peace

[edgardebbins]

Could just be cooincidence that he was a cop killer. Maybe another inmate made his way into the cell and demanded all of White''s cigarettes. White refused. The invader strangled him and took his cigarettes. Whatever the case may be, the important thing is that White probably will not be a repeat offender in the future.

[biggbear81]

BooHoo.... Maybe the family should have instilled some better values for their children. Their family should be thinking about how they raised their child. Their child may have not done the things if they were better parents. Ronnie was a BAD boy.... I am sick and tired of hearing about CRIMINAL rights. What about the rights of the VICTOMS.

[edward1975-2009]

shellym1614: His life became less precious the moment he decided to break the law and commit the most serious of offences, killing another human being. We care far too much for the very people who by their actions, only wish to cause havoc in society. To serve no good purpose. We should care less for the criminal and more for the victims, they had no choice in the matter.

[concerned921]

In response to shellym1614: "It''s a tragedy that both the cop and the boy died. Let''s not loose site of how precious both their lives were."

The only tragedy about the "boy''s" death is that he didn''t SUFFER like the wonderful man that he KILLED. And what makes you think his life was "precious"???? He was a 19 y/o THIEF who probably would have been a drain on society if he hadn''t been caught. Now, we''ll never have to worry about HIM being back on the street. EVER.

[CBSTV]

It is too bad that the Comments section attracts so many depraved, bloodthirsty people. But fortunately, there are a few decent, rational human beings in the mix.

[mialove1963]

edward1975: so what your saying is it was ok that the officers killed him...he was a human being too, thats what alot of people are''nt seeing. there only looking at what whiote did...well what the officers in that prison did was no better than what white did...but i guess if you have a badge its ok....

[newsjunky5]

Maybe White was given to the police by his accomplices because he was going to turn in the driver of the truck/killer. We don''t know. That''s why we need trials. Then, and only then, after he''s either proven guilty or another one of his cohorts is shown to have been the one who killed Officer Findley, the cops can strangle the perp.

[edgardebbins]

Studio41:
I kinda like being depraved. Keeps things interesting.

[toldyouso12]

The only tragedy about the "boy''''s" death is that he didn''''t SUFFER like the wonderful man that he KILLED. And what makes you think his life was "precious"???? He was a 19 y/o THIEF who probably would have been a drain on society if he hadn''''t been caught. Now, we''''ll never have to worry about HIM being back on the street. EVER.

Posted by concerned921 at 02:49 PM : Jul 01, 2008


Then again, there was no trial and maybe the crime was pinned on him and he was not the one who did it. Now we will probably never know--but if he was innocent that means your comments mark YOU as a low life, drain on society and a monster. Never forget: Just because someone is held or arrested, does not mean they are guilty of what they are being charged for--we leave the guilty or innocence of people to the courts and not to vigilante or judgmental citizens like yourself.

This was a triple tragedy, to the policeman, to the boy charged and to the families of each--to the murderer: may you reap exactly the same as what you have sown.

[mialove1963]

theres nothing interesting about depraved people....

[johnson3571]

well it said that he has been a burdin on socity beening in and out of jail and robery and jsut not being a good citizen so really is it a loss at all ??

[donevis-2009]

" The family is "absolutely, unequivocally outraged and incensed and deeply saddened for the loss of life of their loved one," he said. Don''t guess they''re outraged owith the loss of the officer''s life.
If he was so much of a loved one they would have taught him right from wrong. I''m having a hard time understanding the situation. I guess the loving ones will raise a big stink and sue the County, wind up with a Million or so, then wink at each other. Guess they did bring him up right.

[johnson3571]

yeah i so agree with concerned921 you took the words out of my mouth

[acolton1]

I dont like to judge people but this DOUSCHBAG ran over and killed a Police OFFICER.

I really don''''t feel very sorry for Ronnie White and he is ghetto trash for running over and killing a COP.

I will say that It is Wrong for Whom Ever did have Access to his Cell and strangled Ronnie White. These Young Kids Kill People and gang up on Homelss People and beat them to death laugh about it and think its no big deal. Their White Trash or Black Ghetto Parents teach them NO MORALS or Common Courtsey and these 14-15-16-17+ year old kids need to be tried as an adult and get the death penality and the sentence to be carried out within 30 days. That will sure change the minds of these YOUNG PUNKS pulling this POOP in Society.

[hot4real]

There must be retaliation for this murder. If they can bleed after what they did to this brother, it will send a strong message to them that we will defend ourselves.

[mrcdd1]

I as American of African origin get so tired of stories about our young black people committing heinous crime''s getting what they gave and now I am suppose sorrow, well I don''t, he was trash and someone took the trash out!!!

[edgardebbins]

mialove1963:
Oh yes there is.

[frootloop47]

Gee, sounds like a simple case of the guy committing suicide over his remorse :-)

[mrcdd1]

The people that choked that lowlife to death were not right in doing what they did and they will more than likely be found and prosecuted, but he was still a waste of sperm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mialove1963]

diatreme:your right human beings don''t kill people....so the officers that killed white are''nt human beings either!!!!!

[genesis15-2009]

Based on his contributions, or lack of, to society,GOOD RIDDANCE!!!

[usmcvn1]

Here come da Rev!!! Al & Jessie where are you?

[mialove1963]

Because no one else can get to an inmate that is locked in his cell....except an officer!!!!

[wiser5606]

now his family knows how the officers family feels. i bet the officers family is outraged and incensed as well.

[genesis15-2009]

It is truly sad that those who advocated black self-sufficienc (Malcolm X, James Brown, W.E.B. duBois) are demonized in history books. Black childen today are taught to worship Martin Luther King and his messge of "please give us our rights" instead of Malcom X''''s "by any means necessary".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by diatreme

There was room for both Malcolm and Martin. Many whites demonized Martin until they saw Malcolm as the alternative, which scared the hell out of them. Martin showed the love of God to many whites and Malcolm showed the fear of God to many whites. Both were needed during those times.

[mialove1963]

diatreme: read what the artical says "Officials said seven guards had access to White at the time of his death, as did an unspecified number of supervisors...."...so looks to me like the officers did it!!!!!

[sandy19731]

This family should be apologizing for their family members lack of respect for the law and their own inability to make him into a better person (based on past offences and likely the death of the officer). And, the officers responsible (or whomever) should be prosecuted. This is not a third world country. Respect the rule of law.

[genesis15-2009]

Why do I get the feeling that certain Black leaders are going to try and put Ronnie White up as a heroic figure. Hmmm, who is going to be first to try, Farrakhan? Jesse? Sharpton?

[biker-n-oh]

Posted by usmcvn1 at 03:29 PM : Jul 01, 2008

Give em time I''m sure it won''t take long...

[komoncents]

What''s truly sad is so many people making kneejerk assumptions of the truth in this matter. Judging from the numbers of overturned convictions based on DNA and other hindsight evidence, to think you know the truth in any instance, if you yourself were not there, is simply foolish.

Appearances are often decieving, that''s why we have investigations. The lack of humanity in some of these posts is disgusting.

[dogsoul]

"Judging from the numbers of overturned convictions based on DNA and other hindsight evidence, to think you know the truth in any instance, if you yourself were not there, is simply foolish."

Ok.... what % of the overall convictions get overturned as a result of DNA testing? Yeah - here''s a clue.... veeeeery veeeeery few. It''s people like YOU who can sit around thinking - gee, the truth is like a cloud - all fluffy & nebulous - there IS no truth really - so how can I find anyone guilty?

Whatever....

[dogsoul]

sheeeez! I guess I''m banned from posting...

Must have been all the comments against liberals...

point taken CBS

[hamiltongrad]

Who are we to judge or blame ?