Derric Harsh
Derric Harsh, 23, of Millersville, died at State Correctional Institution at Benner Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, on February 27, 2019. He was found in his cell shortly before midnight and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Centre County coroner's office ruled his death a homicide by manual strangulation, and state police investigated. His father, Derric Harsh Sr., filed a federal lawsuit alleging that prison staff knew his cellmate posed a threat and failed to protect him, and the district attorney declined to bring charges.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The Centre County coroner ruled the death a homicide by manual strangulation, and the family's federal lawsuit alleges prison officials failed to protect him from a cellmate they say was known to be dangerous.
Reported by: Centre County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers (medical examiner or coroner); Deputy Coroner Scott Rawson (medical examiner or coroner); Centre Daily Times autopsy report reporting (reporters); state police; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); his father's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His father filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that prison officials knew his cellmate posed an imminent threat and failed to protect him.
Sources (7)
- News report
- Inmate death at SCI Benner Twp ruled homicide
- Questions linger about Centre County state prison deaths
- Pennsylvania on pace for worst year in a generation for suicides in state prisons
- Benner state prison failed to protect inmate from cellmate who killed him, lawsuit claims
- Lawsuit Claims SCI-Benner Staff Failed to Prevent Inmate’s Murder