2006 Slaying of Prison Guard: Inmates' Team, State Fight Over Access to Staff Files

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Attorneys for the state of Maryland and for two inmates accused in the 2006 slaying of a prison guard clashed yesterday over whether the defense teams could have access to disciplinary and other records involving 21 guards the defense attorneys described as "corrupt."

As the defense attorneys sought to pursue an accusation that two of the guards ordered the killing to preserve a contraband-smuggling ring, the attorneys for the state agreed to release limited records.

The Maryland attorney general's office agreed to release records about the decision to close the maximum-security prison in Jessup, but it sought to block the release of records about the correctional officers.

Attorneys for Lamarr C. Harris, one of two inmates charged with first-degree murder in the slaying, first sought the records after an unidentified witness told state police investigators that two guards " 'ordered' the hit" on David W. McGuinn because he had been interfering with a contraband operation involving officers and inmates.

Inmates' Team, State Fight Over Access to Staff Files