Inmate Stabbed to Death in Prison

February 7, 2008

SCOTLAND COUNTY NC NEWS -- An investigation by the Scotland County Sheriff's Department and the State Bureau of Investigation has resulted in a murder charge in connection with a stabbing death of an inmate, Gary N. Bell #0026673 at Scotland Correctional Institution on February 5, 2008.

Gary N. Bell, 41, was serving a 9 to 12-year sentence for being a habitual felon. Bell, a native American, was convicted in Sampson County on September 16, 2002. During his incarceration he had accumulated 20 prison infractions with the last infraction occurring on July 20, 2007.

Inmate Edward Wiley #0773417, pictured right, has confessed to killing Bell, and is charged with first degree murder. Wiley, 25, is a sex offender currently serving a 15-19 year sentence for statutory rape. Wiley was convicted in Chatham County on April 11, 2005. In addition, Wiley has a violent past with a previous conviction of assault on a female, which he served 2 months and 15 days in Chatham County Jail before being convicted for rape. Wiley has accumulated 8 prison infractions.

On February 12, 2008, Inmate Jodie L. Steele II #0714238 was also been charged for his involvement in Gary N. Bell's murder. Steele was charged with felony conspiracy to commit murder and being an accessory after the fact. Steele is currently serving approximately 4 years for involuntary manslaughter and common law robbery. Jodie Steele was convicted in Harnett County, North Carolina.

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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