Cumberland County, PA — A 33-year-old man from Yuba City, California, who was initially jailed on a misdemeanor trespassing charge, is now facing a criminal homicide charge after allegedly killing his cellmate inside a Pennsylvania prison.
Dangelo Nowlin was charged with criminal homicide by Middlesex Township Police on Thursday night, according to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.
From Trespassing Arrest to Murder Charge
Authorities say Nowlin was arrested early Wednesday morning for an unrelated defiant trespass incident and committed to Cumberland County Prison with bail set at $35,000.
Later that day, prosecutors say, Nowlin was assigned a cell where he allegedly began assaulting his 41-year-old cellmate, Erick Gainer.
“The assault occurred around midday Wednesday shortly after Nowlin was placed in the cell,” the district attorney’s office said.
According to ABC27 News, Gainer was sleeping in the top bunk when Nowlin allegedly attacked him without provocation.
Victim Dies From Injuries
Prison staff quickly intervened and Gainer was transported to Holy Spirit Hospital, where he remained in critical condition. Officials confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday evening.
“The victim sustained severe trauma consistent with a violent physical assault,” investigators reported.
Following Gainer’s death, Nowlin’s charges were upgraded to felony criminal homicide.
Legal Proceedings and No Bail
Nowlin was arraigned Thursday night and denied bail due to the severity of the charges. He remains in Cumberland County Prison under maximum security.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 5, where prosecutors are expected to present additional details regarding the motive and circumstances of the attack.
“This was an unprovoked and brutal assault on a sleeping victim,” said a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office. “Our office will pursue justice for Mr. Gainer and his family.”
Prison Response and Ongoing Investigation
Prison officials have not yet commented on how Nowlin was assigned to share a cell or whether staff were aware of any behavioral risks prior to the incident. The case has prompted an internal review of housing procedures for new inmates.
Authorities continue to investigate the timeline of events and are working to determine whether the attack was premeditated or spontaneous.
Nowlin, originally from Yuba City, California, remains incarcerated in Pennsylvania pending trial.
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