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Inmate charged in killing of Pa. CO arraigned

Paul Jawon Kendrick was arraigned on homicide and assault charges

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This undated photo provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shows inmate Paul Jawon Kendrick, accused of fatally assaulting correctional officer Sgt. Mark Baserman on Feb. 15, 2018, at a state prison in Somerset, Pa.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP

By Corrections1 Staff

ROCKWOOD, Pa. — An inmate charged in the beating death of a Pennsylvania corrections officer has been arraigned on homicide and assault charges.

The Tribune-Democrat reports that 22-year-old inmate Paul Jawon Kendrick was surrounded by a cluster of COs as a judge listed the charges against him. Kendrick is accused of beating and kicking Sgt. Mark Baserman, 61, to death.

Police said the Feb. 15 assault was triggered after Baserman confiscated a towel that Kendrick used to block other people’s’ view of his bunk. Baserman succumbed to his injuries on Feb. 26.

An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was a traumatic brain injury caused by blunt force trauma. Kendrick’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.

A memorial service to honor Baserman will be held on Wednesday.