Inquest in death of Mark “T-Dog” Stuart begins

And still on prison life, a coroner’s inquest began today in the death of thirty-four year old Mark “T Dog” Stuart, an inmate who was shot and killed on August twentieth, 2003 in the maximum security section of the Hattieville Prison. Five jurors are hearing the case to determine whether anyone is criminally responsible. So far only the statement of one witness, former chief of security, Herman Blease Sr., has been presented in Court. Blease said in a statement that he heard gunshots from his office and when he went to the scene he saw Stuart lying in his cell with a knife in his right hand. Blease also said that Stuart was bleeding from his legs, abdomen and head and was still alive and further that a number of shell casings were on the floor of the cell. Several other witnesses will be questioned by the jury and Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie before the inquest is concluded. They include police inspector Christopher Noble, several prison officers and “T-Dog’s” common-law-wife, Shawn Godoy. “T Dog” was serving time for murder.