Aug 12, 2020

Prosecutor charges inmate of hate crime in attack on guard

Posted Aug 12, 2020 6:00 PM
Devon Keezer (Photo: NDOC)
Devon Keezer (Photo: NDOC)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A white Nebraska prison inmate accused of attacking a Black prison guard has been charged with a hate crime.

The Lancaster County Attorney's office charged Devon Keezer, 31, this week with second-degree assault, enhanced as a hate crime, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Officials said the incident happened June 23 at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, where Keezer was serving a sentence on a gun conviction. Keezer called the guard a racial slur, then hit the guard in the face and head with his fists, Lancaster County Chief Deputy Attorney Bruce Prenda said.

Keezer has been moved to the state prison in Tecumseh. His first court appearance on the charge is set for Friday.