By Kevin McKenzie and Jody Callahan
The Commercial Appeal
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Shelby County Jail inmate who fought with his cellmate early Sunday morning, then struggled with deputies as they broke up the fight, died at about 3 p.m. Monday, sheriff’s officials said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Edward Jackson, 37, provoked a fight with Richard Dickerson, 23, after they were moved into a cell together.
Officials were able to get Dickerson out of the cell but continued to struggle with Jackson until he was finally handcuffed.
Officials said Jackson was then taken to the medical area, but became unresponsive along the way. He was taken to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, where he died.
Jackson was booked into jail on Saturday, accused of committing aggravated assault against his wife last month and violating a court order protecting her from him.
Dickerson was booked into the jail on Wednesday and charged two days later with second-degree murder in the death of his former girlfriend, Jacklyn Miller, 21.
Miller’s strangled body was found in the trunk of her car.
The incident is under investigation, and spokesman Chip Washington said the sheriff’s office would make no further comment until the probe concludes.
Copyright 2010 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.