Sumter, SC (AP, WLTX) -- Sumter authorities say a game of dominoes is to blame for an inmate's severe beating at the hands of a South Carolina man charged with murder. Investigators said that 25-year-old Kareem Hickman punched 41-year-old Rickey McCray for about 22 seconds during a Monday afternoon domino game with several other inmates at the Sumter County jail. Authorities say Hickman then stomped McCray in the head several times. Officials say a nurse was assisting another patient at the time of the attack, but was able to respond later with two officers. "Everything was calm up until the incident," said Detention Center Director Major Simon Major, "It was a spontaneous outburst by Hickman." McCray's family was notified of the incident hours after it happened. The victim was treated at Tuomey Regional Medical Center before he was transported to a Columbia hospital, where he has since been in a coma. Police said Hickman was in jail, accused of shooting and killing his brother in September in a fight over $15. Because of the attack, investigators say Hickman is now considered a "high-risk" threat. Both Hickman and McCray were classified as minimum security inmates before the fight. It wasn't immediately clear if Hickman had an attorney. Jail officials are reviewing the matter internally.
11/19/2009 1:42:09 PM
