An inmate in Allen County has been charged with murder after beating an inmate to death.
Kentucky State Police said 35-year-old Robert L. Tomes, of Scottsville, assaulted 40-year-old Levi Parrish, also of Scottsville, on January 17 when both were inmates at the Allen County Detention Center.
The assault took place in the jail’s commissary as inmates were appearing in court via Zoom, according to a report by the Bowling Green Daily News.
Parrish was transported to The Medical Center at Bowling Green where he died on January 26.
“While there is no audio to the video, it does not appear that either inmate spoke during the incident. Tomes was observed smiling and looking around right before the assault occurred. Inmate Tomes refused to give a statement to KSP regarding this incident,” state police told the Bowling Green Daily News reports.
On March 27, prosecutors presented the case to an Allen County grand jury, which returned an indictment for murder and first-degree persistent felony offender, state police said.
Tomes was jailed in the Allen County Detention Center on January 14 for first-degree criminal trespassing and giving an officer a false name. After being jailed, Tomes is accused of assaulting a deputy, resulting in a third-degree assault charge.
Parrish was lodged on January 16 on a DUI charge.
Tomes, in May 2020, slashed a man’s throat and was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, promoting contraband, and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, according to the Bowling Green Daily News.
Tomes is being held in the Simpson County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bond.
(Headline photo: Robert L. Tomes)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
