HOUTZDALE – A state prison inmate has been accused of assaulting a corrections officer while he was incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Houtzdale.
Dion Capers, 32, SCI Huntingdon, was charged Monday by Trooper Matthew Peacock of the Clearfield-based state police with felony aggravated assault (two counts) and assault by prisoner, misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at approximately 6:48 p.m. June 13 at the SCI Houtzdale, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jim Glass.
While the officer was outside Capers’ cell during his rounds, Capers exited and allegedly punched him several times. While the CO tried to control Capers, he fell and struck his head on the floor.
While the CO was still lying unconscious on the floor, witnesses said that Capers punched him two to three times in his head. The officer was subsequently flown via medical helicopter to UPMC Altoona.
While being transported within the prison, Capers was reportedly captured on audio/video saying, “I left the man shaking,” and “I just sent one of you … the [expletive] out with my hands and … to a seizure with no weapons.”
As part of the investigation, state police obtained medical records, which indicated the CO suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI), as well as a skull fracture and seizure, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
On Oct. 7, Peacock received a recording of Capers at SCI Huntingdon. He was reportedly captured saying, “you see how big the bull was at Houtzdale … your brother got [expletive] up … I could have held his breath and killed him.”
