STARKE, Fla., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Jurors in the trial of four former prison guards charged with fatally beating a death row inmate toured the Florida State Prison Friday to get a feel for the scene of the alleged slaying.
The four men are charged with second-degree murder in the death of inmate Frank Valdes, 36, on July 17, 1999. Valdes had been sentenced to death for the murder of a corrections officer in 1987.
The six-juror tour included the site of the slaying and the X-wing, a section at the end of the prison that houses the death chamber and the state's most dangerous prisoners. The tour wound up the second week of testimony and evidence in the trial before Circuit Judge Larry Turner.
On trial are Timothy Thornton, 36; Jason Griffis, 28; Charles Brown, 28; and Andrew Lewis, 31.
Former guard Raymon Hanson is expected to testify next week that he participated in the beating. He was granted immunity in return for cooperation with prosecutors. Hanson is living out of state.
Judge Turner released a videotape of Hanson's original statement, which was given in January 2000.
Hanson said Valdes had threatened a guard earlier, and that he and the four others wanted to teach him a lesson. He said they entered Valdes' cell and punched and kicked him. One guard used an electronic stun gun on the inmate's head.
Another guard punched him in the stomach a few minutes later after they had taken him to the infirmary. Valdes died later that day.
Hanson said he kicked Valdes and helped with the coverup later.
The defense contends that Valdes was fine after the "extraction" from his cell. Thornton, a captain, ordered the operation after Valdes threatened another former guard Montrez Lucas.
They said Valdes suffered the fatal injuries from flinging himself around his cell later in the day. They also said the injuries could have come from Lucas, who is one of the four guards facing charges.
