Investigators Say The Death Of Wis. Prisoner Was Homicide

PORTAGE, Wis. (AP) -- Sheriff's officials say the death of a state prison inmate in Columbia County is a homicide.

Authorities said Monday an autopsy shows 40-year-old Jerome Scott died by ligature strangulation at the Columbia Correctional Institution. Investigators say Scott's cellmate is accused of killing him Feb. 12. The 42-year-old cellmate is apparently cooperating with authorities. Officials say he has provided information that's consistent with the cause and manner of Scott's death.

Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards said in a statement that both men are from the Milwaukee area and both were incarcerated for previous homicide-related convictions. Formal charges are not expected until next week.

The prison is a maximum-security facility in Portage.

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