Inmate charged with murder in Shelby County cellmate’s death
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A 36-year-old Shelby County inmate has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his cellmate.
The sheriff’s office says Daniel Smith is charged in the death of 22-year-old Leonard Nelson after an argument on Wednesday. The department said in a news release that Nelson’s death was first thought to be a suicide but has since been determined to be a homicide.
Corrections officers found Nelson dead in his cell just after 11:30 a.m.
Nelson was serving time for aggravated burglary and sexual exploitation of a minor. Smith is serving time for aggravated burglary and theft.
Investigators are still trying to determine the motive.
