By Ashley Morrison
The Anniston Star, Ala.
ANNISTON, Ala. — An inmate at the Calhoun County Jail is being charged with attempted murder and 2nd-degree assault after beating two sheriff’s deputies Monday afternoon, Sheriff Matthew Wade said in a news release.
According to Wade, Demario Lamote Burnett — who was in jail for several violent offenses including kidnapping and attempted murder — was being housed in the maximum security section of the jail at the time.
Around 4:45 p.m. Monday, Burnett “became noncompliant, refusing to cuff up or lockdown in his cell,” the release stated.
As officers attempted to control the inmate, Wade said, Burnett grabbed a mop and broke it, brandishing it like a weapon. He then “barricaded himself” in the shower as officers continued to attempt to control the situation.
Burnett began beating one of the deputies in the head and then struck another in the torso, according to the release. After several attempts to subdue the inmate with different types of non-lethal munition, such as tasers, officers used a chemical spray that eventually led Burnett to comply.
“First, I am thankful that the two deputies assaulted will recover, and I am extremely proud of the bravery that corrections officers and deputies displayed during this event. These men and women work hard to keep dangerous criminals off the streets of Calhoun County,” Wade stated.
Neither deputy sustained life-threatening injuries, according to Wade. The officer that was struck in the head was taken to the hospital, where he was treated and released.
“After the situation was secured, an investigation into the incident began which included multiple body camera videos,” Wade stated in the release. He said District Attorney Brian McVeigh had reviewed the case and will bring several additional charges in connection with the assaults.
Burnett is currently being held without bond in the Calhoun County Jail.
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