Inmate dead after fight in Wilkinson County

An inmate is dead after a Saturday fight at the Wilkinson County Correctional Facility.

Eric Heinz, 33, was pronounced dead at the prison shortly before noon Saturday after being found unresponsive on the floor of his cell, according to Mississippi Department of Corrections officials. They said a preliminary investigation shows Heinz had suffered serious injuries during a fight with his cellmate.

The name of the cellmate and the cause of death have not been released.

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"The Mississippi Department of Corrections' policy is to pursue the harshest penalties available in instances such as this incident," Interim MDOC Commissioner Pelicia Hall said. "I spoke to District Attorney Ronnie Harper ... and asked him to pursue the death penalty, if it is legally available upon the conclusion of our investigation."

Heinz's body will be sent for an autopsy, officials said.

Heinz was serving 20 years for armed robbery and burglary/larceny of an unoccupied dwelling from Lowndes and Monroe counties. He had been in prison since June 24, 2002.

Wilkinson County Correctional Center is a private prison in unincorporated Wilkinson County. It is controlled by Management and Training Corporation on behalf of MDOC.

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Contact Therese Apel  at 601-961-7236 or tapel@gannett.com . Follow her on Facebook  and Twitter .