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Ex-supervisor found guilty in Ala. inmate death

The 12-member jury delivered the verdicts Tuesday afternoon in Montgomery against former correctional Lt. Michael Smith of Auburn

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Former Ventress Correctional Facility Lt. Michael Smith, left, arrives at the Federal Building in Montgomery, Ala., with his attorney Stephen Ganter on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. A federal court jury will begin deliberations Tuesday in the trial of the former prison supervisor who is charged with fatally beating an inmate and trying to cover up what happened.

AP Photo/Dave Martin

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Federal jurors have convicted a former prison supervisor of fatally beating an inmate and conspiring to cover it up.

The 12-member jury delivered the verdicts Tuesday afternoon in Montgomery against former correctional Lt. Michael Smith of Auburn.

He was convicted of violating the constitutional rights of inmate Rocrast Mack by fatally beating him, conspiracy and obstruction of justice. He faces up to life in prison. U.S. District Judge Myron Thomson did not set a sentencing date.

Witnesses testified that Smith hit, kicked and stomped Mack in August 2010 at Ventress Correctional Facility in Clayton after Mack bloodied the lip of a female officer.

Two former correctional officers have pleaded guilty in the case and one is awaiting trial.