Roosevelt Holliman

Roosevelt Holliman, 32, was held at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman in Sunflower County. On Thursday, January 2, 2020, he was stabbed during a fight among people held at the prison that spread from one unit to others, and several other people were injured. Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton said he had multiple stab wounds. The coroner's office linked the violence to gang-related riots, part of a wider wave of disturbances across Mississippi prisons that week.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton said he had multiple stab wounds from another prisoner during a gang-related prison riot.

Reported by: Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton (medical examiner or coroner); Clarion Ledger (reporters).

News reports (9)

• Inmates killed in fights at 3 Mississippi prisons this week MPB — Mississippi Public Broadcasting, January 2, 2020
• 4th Mississippi inmate dies from prison violence in a week PBS, January 2, 2020
• Fourth Death in Mississippi Prisons; Judge Says Other Prison OK Mississippi Free Press, January 2, 2020
• One inmate killed, others injured during riot at Parchman WLBT, January 2, 2020
• 5 People Have Been Killed in Mississippi Prisons This Week Time Magazine, January 3, 2020
• Mississippi Prison Deaths Follow Warnings of Meager Funding, Shortages Jackson Free Press, January 3, 2020
• Inmate killed in fight at Parchman WAPT, January 3, 2020
• Mississippi prison chief says 4 of 5 killings done by gangs The Commercial Dispatch, January 4, 2020
• Inmates feared to have escaped after deadly riots at prison The Independent, January 5, 2020