Deaths in CCA Custody: Michael Patrick McNaughton, 55: murdered.

Michael Patrick McNaughton, 55, was beaten to death last weekend in a federal lock-up run by Corrections Corporation of America in Florence, AZ. Headlines widely reported it as a "fight", but all that the text of those articles said was that officers witnessed this man being assaulted by his cellie. CCA was quick to deny that there was any sign of problems between the two, so I don't know why they said it was a "fight" in their press releases, too. They must have had indication that the two men weren't getting along to characterize it that way - or else they're trying to blame the victim for his own death by suggesting he willingly participated in it. This is the only article I've seen that flat out calls it an assault.

In any case, condolences to this victim's family. I hope you hire an attorney to do an indepedent investigation of how this happened - you really need one who understand laws specific to suing prisons, so here are some I know who have litigated wrongful deaths and injuries of prisoners in Arizona, often on contingency:

List of Attorneys who have litigated the AZ DOC

If there's anything I might be able to do to help you through the aftermath of losing  a loved one in prison, too, please let me know. My name is Peggy Plews; my contact info is 480-580-6807 / arizonaprisonwatch@gmail.com. I'm not a professional anything - I'm just an artist and activist. But I've heard from a lot of families in your shoes over the past few years, and will do what I can to support you. Just don't count on the Feds or CCA to tell you the truth - do your own investigation, requesting records from the hospital, 911 operators and paramedics, as well as from CCA.

Good luck and take care. 

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Victim, suspect in fatal prison assault ID'd

November 17, 2013 3:47 pm  •  Veronica M. Cruz Arizona Daily Star

Authorities have identified the victim and suspect involved in a fatal assault at a Florence prison Saturday.
Corrections officers at the Corrections Corporation of America, a private prison, saw 43-year-old Roberto Venegas-Fernandez assault his cell mate, 55-year-old Michael Patrick McNaughton during an inspection Saturday morning, according to a news release from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.

Corrections officers entered the cell and subdued Venegas-Fernandez, the release said.

McNaughton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Both men, who are from the San Diego area, were transported to the prison from a Southern California facility Friday night and neither men expressed any concern about being housed together, the release said.
The men were being held in the Florence prison pending their transfer to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.