By Francis Scarcella
The Daily Item
COAL TOWNSHIP — A 29-year-old inmate at the State Correctional Institute at Coal Township was charged with attacking a Point Township man awaiting trial on involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a 9-year-old boy, according to Northumberland County Detective Degg Stark.
On Wednesday, Stark was called to the prison after Warden Bruce Kovach said Victor Hare, 60, was assaulted by Drew Hunt, 29, in unprovoked attack, according to court documents.
Hare was being escorted from a multi-purpose room to his cell when Hunt approached Hare and began to strike Hare in the face, according to court documents.
Prior to the alleged attack, Hunt had been restrained in handcuffs and his feet in leg irons, but Hunt managed to pull one of his wrists through the handcuffs and strike Hare, Stark said.
Hare was treated at the prison for his injuries. Court documents state Hare’s nose bled for 20 to 30 minutes. Hare did not engage Hunt, according to documents.
Stark arrived at the prison and spoke to Hunt who told the detective he was out to assault Hate, according to court documents.
“I wanted at him because I know the father of the child who died,” Hunt told Stark, according to court documents.
Hunt faces a misdemeanor charge of simple assault and a summary offense of harassment.
Hare is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection tot he October 2014 death of 9-year old Korbin Rager.
Hare told the detective, Hunt and many inmates verbally and physically taunt him because of the charges he faces, Stark said.
Hare was convicted by a Nothumberland County jury May 19 for possession of a weapon as a felon.
During his sentencing, Hare told Northumberland County President Judge Charles Saylor that ever since his arrest, he has been called “baby killer” by other inmates, picked on by inmates and guards and now suffers from nightmares because of the death of Korbin Rager.
Korbin died while staying with Hare in October 2014. His death was the result of a drug overdose, according to Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn.
Saylor sentenced Hare to five to 10 years in prison on the weapons conviction.
While considered a state inmate at that point, Hare has yet to be transferred to the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill for classification and processing.
Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz said he was unsure why Hare was still inside the county section of SCI-Coal Township and that transfers usually take place 10 days after sentencing.
Hare faces six felony charges in Korbin’s death, including one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of drug delivery resulting in death, one count of aggravated assault and three counts of endangering the welfare of children; and three misdemeanor charges, including one count of indecent assault and two counts of recklessly endangering another person.
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