No officers to be charged for inmate death at Charlotte County prison

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla.- WINK News has learned no officers will be charged in the death of an inmate at the Charlotte Correctional Institution.

Matthew Walker died 15 months ago. A grand jury has now released new information into his death.

The grand jury said corrections officers messed up the scene so badly and destroyed so much evidence, they could not determine who to charge.

The medical examiner determined Walker had eleven different traumas to his body and was choked to death.

However, the grand jury found the conflicting testimony and poor handling of the crime scene prevented them from being able to bring any criminal charges against specific corrections officers.

“What now? We got a person that was murdered but who pays for it? I mean where the justice, who is responsible?,” said May Atkins, Walker’s sister.

Atkins wants justice for her brother. Tears swelled her eyes as she heard for the first time that officers at the prison will not face charges.

“You got a man dead. A man that had been beat to death, choked, hit beside the head, blunt forced trauma. And for what I was told from one of the inmates, he was hit with one of the Walkie Talkies, I mean what evidence do you need?” said Atkins. “Whoever did it, I pray to God that he slays their souls, that I do. Only then will they know what they did was wrong.”