State inmate stabbed, dies at Searcy hospital

Correction: Joe K. Harter, 32, an inmate at the Arkansas Department of Correction’s Grimes Unit in Newport, died at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday at the White River Medical Center in Batesville. About 24 hours earlier, correctional officers discovered Harter in the housing barracks with puncture wounds in his chest, and he was transported to Unity Health Harris Medical Center in Newport. The White River hospital's location and the Newport hospital's name were incorrect in this article about Harter.

A state prison inmate died Wednesday after being discharged once from a hospital for a stab wound, Arkansas Department of Correction spokesman Cathy Frye said in a news release.

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Joe K. Harter, 32, an inmate at the Grimes Unit in Newport died at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday at the White River Medical Center in Searcy.

About 24 hours earlier, correctional officers responded to an altercation in the housing barracks and discovered Harter with puncture wounds inhis chest. A homemade weapon was confiscated from a fellow inmate, the release said.

Harter was taken by ambulance to Harris Hospital Newport, where he was treated and released. Prison medical staff became concerned about Harter's condition on Tuesday, and he was transported back to the hospital.

Harris Hospital staff members determined that Hester needed to be transferred to White River Medical Center, where he died early Wednesday.

The name of the inmate suspected of stabbing Hester was not released. Frye said, however, that the inmate was immediately placed in solitary confinement.

Frye said the prison notified internal affairs and the Arkansas State Police immediately after Hester was stabbed. Three investigators were sent to the site.

Arkansas State Police will continue its investigation into both the altercation and Harter's death. His body will be sent to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory for an autopsy.

Harter -- who arrived in prison in September 2006 -- was serving a 15-year sentence out of Grant County for manufacturing, delivery and possession of a controlled substance.

State Desk on 06/18/2015

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