Ga. inmate's death probed as homicide after Christmas fight

The Georgia Department of Corrections is investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide, officials said.

Michael Dawson, a Baldwin State Prison inmate, was pronounced dead about 9:20 a.m. on Christmas Day, the GDOC said in a news release.

Authorities said they have reason to believe Dawson died as the result of injuries he sustained during an altercation with another inmate. The GDOC and GBI are looking into the cause of his death, officials said.

Dawson was sentenced on rape and aggravated assault charges in Polk County in 2001, officials said. He was also sentenced to life in 2008 on a murder charge in Chatham County.

In other news:

Channel 2?s Lauren Davis visited the site and spoke with neighbors.

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

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