Prison inmate convicted of assaulting worker

BENTON, Mo. ­-- An inmate at the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston, Mo., was convicted last week for an assault on a prison employee.

Joseph Williams, an inmate at the prison serving lengthy sentences for other convictions, was found guilty Friday of committing violence against a Missouri Department of Corrections employee after a one-day jury trial at the Scott County Courthouse in Benton, according to a news release from the Mississippi County prosecuting attorney's office.

Williams repeatedly punched a storekeeper employed by the Department of Corrections in the face, according to the news release. The victim reportedly suffered abrasions, lacerations, bruising, a busted lip and a broken tooth and now has scars from the

assault.

The jury deliberated for 11 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.

The case was filed in Mississippi County, according to Kenneth R. Richardson, an assistant prosecutor for Mississippi County who argued the case for the

state.

The case was transferred to Scott County after motions filed by the public defender's office for change of judge and change of venue were granted, Richardson said.

Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney Darren Cann said that even though defendants usually waive the right to a jury trial when evidence is overwhelming, Williams "insisted on his jury trial."

Richardson said being ordered to pay court costs may have a more lasting effect on Williams than the additional 15 years of prison time he is facing.

"In a jury trial those costs are close to a $15,000," Richardson said. "Prison inmates only receive around $8 a month to spend for extras at the prison canteen. So this inmate won't be visiting the store nearly as much for some time to come."

Williams is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 15.

Pertinent address:

Charleston, MO

Benton, MO