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Patrick Andrews, 34, Sentenced to Life for Murder in Brutal Prison Attack
A federal inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of another inmate. Patrick Andrews, 34, formerly of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence and one count of second degree murder in a federal facility for his role in the Oct. 7, 2007, murder of fellow inmate Jesse Harris.
According to his plea agreement, Andrews and fellow inmate, Kevin Bellinger, stabbed Harris to death with homemade knives in an orchestrated attack. Harris was unarmed and backing away from them when the attack occurred.
Andrews was serving a sentence of 35 years to life in prison at the time of the murder for two murders that took place in 1997 and 2000. Bellinger was serving a sentence of 15 years to life for an assault with intent to kill that took place in 2000.
Andrews was sentenced to life in prison on both counts by U.S. District Judge Irene M. Keeley of the Northern District of West Virginia. This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Richard Burns from the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar of the Northern District of West Virginia.
Harris ultimately died from multiple stab wounds sustained during the attack. Surveillance footage reviewed by correctional officers showed Andrews and Bellinger engaged in a verbal confrontation with Harris, followed by the two attackers wielding weapons and assaulting Harris.
Key Facts:
- Patrick Andrews, 34, sentenced to life in prison for murder
- Andrews and fellow inmate Kevin Bellinger stabbed Harris to death with homemade knives
- Harris was unarmed and backing away from the attackers
- Andrews was serving a sentence of 35 years to life in prison at the time of the murder
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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