Home > News > Perry inmate dies after jail beating last week, fellow inmate charged with murder

Perry inmate dies after jail beating last week, fellow inmate charged with murder

A Perry County inmate has been charged with murder after a beating in the Perry County Jail led to the death of another inmate. Damion Jason Allen, 26, of Marion, was initially charged with attempted murder in the beating of fellow inmate Frank Russell.

According to the complaint filed by Perry County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday, February 26, 2024, between 3:00 and 8:00 AM, Allen physically assaulted fellow inmate Russell by punching and kicking him in the head and face. The victim sustained serious injuries from the assault and was transported to UAB Hospital for treatment.

The following day, February 27, 2024, the victim was pronounced dead at approximately 5:41 PM.

Allen was arrested on Feb. 28 on the attempted murder charges. Prosecutors dismissed that charge against Allen after upgrading the charges against him to murder on March 1.