Update: Police ID Suspect, Victim In JTVCC Homicide
Delaware State Police provided the following update Wednesday afternoon:
The Delaware State Police have arrested 55-year-old John Cameron of Claymont, DE, for murder.
The incident occurred on Monday, May 10, 2021, at approximately 08:13 a.m., when troopers responded to the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center located at 1181 Paddock Road, Smyrna, for a reported homicide. Investigation has determined Cameron attacked a 69-year-old inmate, later identified as Philip Langell of Newark, DE, with whom he shares a cell.
Langell sustained injuries to head, face, and neck area consistent with multiple strikes from a closed fist. Langell also sustained an apparent stab wound from a distinctive edged instrument. Langell was pronounced deceased at the scene.
As a result of the autopsy, Langell’s cause of death was attributed to the injuries sustained to head and neck from the attack, as well as asphyxiation. The stab wound was not a contributing factor.
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, at 09:00 a.m., the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to James T. Vaughn Correction Center and executed an arrest warrant on Defendant-John Cameron for the murder of Philip Langell. Included in the warrant was a single count of Murder 1st Degree.
Cameron was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and remained in the custody of the Department of Correction on $1,000,000 cash bond.
Deputy Bureau Chief of Prisons, Paul G. Shavack advised John Cameron is currently serving a life sentence for Murder 1st Degree and the Victim-Phillip Langell was serving a 20-year sentence for Rape 1st Degree Victim Under 12 years of age.
(updated story)
Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide that occurred at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center near Smyrna.
Monday morning shortly after 8:00 a.m., troopers responded to the state’s largest prison about a reported homicide. An investigation determined that a 55-year-old inmate attacked his 69-year old cellmate. The 69-year-old man suffered a stab wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Division of Forensic Science will conduct an autopsy to determine manner and cause of death.
The 55-year-old suspect is in Department of Correction custody pending charges and execution of an arrest warrant.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at 302-741-2729, or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333.
(original story)
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The death of an inmate at Delaware’s largest prison is under investigation.
According to Delaware State Police, DSP and the Department of Correction are investigating the death of an inmate which occurred Monday at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. The body of a victim has been turned over to the Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
Delaware State Police also said an investigation into the inmate’s death is “active and ongoing.”
