News Summary
A federal grand jury has indicted two former correctional officers in connection with the death of inmate Thomas Henry Giles during a fire at Augusta State Medical Prison. Officers Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips are charged with violating Giles’ constitutional rights by neglecting to act during a fire in his cell. Giles died from smoke inhalation, which was ruled a homicide. Georgia has agreed to a $5 million settlement with his family, marking the largest payout for an inmate’s death in state prison history.
Augusta – A federal grand jury has indicted two former correctional officers for the death of an inmate during a fire at the Augusta State Medical Prison. The indictments, announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, charge Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips with violating the constitutional rights of inmate Thomas Henry Giles, who died from smoke inhalation in October 2020.
The indictment, which was unsealed in the Southern District of Georgia, accuses Roberson and Phillips of deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm that led to Giles’ death. In addition to this charge, Roberson faces further allegations of falsifying a logbook to obscure his misconduct associated with the incident.
The tragic event unfolded on October 28, 2020, when the officers were made aware of a smoldering fire in Giles’ cell. Instead of taking immediate actions such as extinguishing the flames, evacuating the inmate, or reporting the fire emergency over the radio, they allegedly left Giles locked in his cell for several hours. This negligence resulted in his death due to smoke inhalation, which a Georgia Bureau of Investigation medical examiner ruled as a homicide.
An internal investigation conducted by the Georgia Department of Corrections determined that Giles’ death was primarily caused by “the delay and negligence” of Roberson and Phillips in getting him out of his unventilated cell amid the fire. Following the incident, both officers voluntarily resigned from their positions in December 2020.
The state of Georgia subsequently agreed to pay $5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Giles’ family regarding his death. This settlement has been noted as the largest payment made by Georgia for an inmate’s death or injury within a state prison context. Lawyers representing the family emphasized that multiple opportunities to prevent the tragedy were overlooked by the officers involved.
At the time of his death, Thomas Henry Giles was serving a ten-year sentence for armed robbery, which he pleaded guilty to in September 2017. He was housed in a section of the prison hospital designated for inmates struggling with severe mental health and behavioral issues, indicating the challenging circumstances surrounding his confinement.
In light of the seriousness of the incident, the FBI is actively investigating the case. This investigation is being overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kirkland, along with trial attorneys from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, underlining the federal interest in ensuring accountability in cases involving the treatment of inmates.
The indictments of Roberson and Phillips highlight ongoing concerns regarding prison conditions and the treatment of inmates, particularly those who are vulnerable or with mental health issues. The legal proceedings and investigations surrounding this case are expected to shed more light on the responsibilities of correctional officers and the standards of care required within such institutions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Former Officers Indicted Over Inmate’s Death at Augusta Prison
Former Officers Indicted for Inmate’s Death in Fire Incident
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Former Augusta Prison Guards Charged in Inmate’s Death
- AJC: Ex-Officers at Augusta Prison Face Federal Charges in Inmate’s Death
- Augusta Chronicle: Former Augusta State Medical Prison Guards Indicted in Inmate Death
- Wikipedia: Augusta, Georgia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta, Georgia
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
