Everyone has denied their commitment to the murder charge, the records show. Walton’s lawyer, David Donet Jr., declined to comment Friday. it is not clear whether the others have lawyers. A fourth correctional officer is still at large, the state law enforcement agency said in a press release. Miami-Dade County Attorney Katherine Fernandez Randle, whose office will prosecute the case, is expected to provide more information about this Friday afternoon. The incident that led to Thursday’s arrests unfolded on the morning of February 14, when the detainee was scheduled to be transferred from Dade Penitentiary to another facility, the agency said. Before being taken from his cell to the mental health unit, he allegedly threw urine at a police officer. Penitentiary officials handcuffed him and took him from his cell, the agency said. After that, “although he was handcuffed and complied with the officers’ orders, the agents say that the police started beating him,” he said. “The detainee was beaten so badly that he had to be taken to the transport truck,” the agency said, adding that he was alone in a safe apartment. On the way to the other facility, the truck stopped in Ocala, Florida, and the detainee was found dead, lying on a bench in the van, the agency said, which did not reveal the detainee’s name. The cause of death was a perforated lung that led to internal bleeding, a medical examiner ruled, adding that the man had injuries to his face and torso, according to the beating, the agency reported. “Staff misconduct, abuse or criminal misconduct has no place in the Florida penitentiary system,” Fernand Randall said in a statement. “People who have been sentenced to prison by our criminal courts have lost their freedom but not their basic rights. Inmates should not be subject to” back alley “forms of justice that violate Florida law.” The staff involved in the case failed, “and as a service we will not support it,” Florida Correctional Officer Ricky Dixon said in a statement. His department “is committed to providing a safe and professional environment for inmates and offenders,” Dixon said. “All inmates, regardless of their crimes, have the right to serve their time without victimization or abuse.” CNN’s Melissa Alonso contributed to this report.
