• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Two Inmates Charged With Anamosa State Penitentiary Staff Deaths During Attempted Escape

State authorities identified the two Anamosa State Penitentiary employees killed by two inmates during an attempted escape from a prison infirmary breakroom.

Iowa TorchbyIowa Torch
March 24, 2021
in State Government
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Two Inmates Charged With Anamosa State Penitentiary Staff Deaths During Attempted Escape

Inmates Michael Dutcher (on left) and Thomas Woodward are accused of killing two staff at Anamosa State Penitentiary during an attempted escape.

ANAMOSA, Iowa – State authorities identified the two Anamosa State Penitentiary employees killed during an attempted escape from a ground floor breakroom close to the prison infirmary.

According to the criminal complaint, Inmates Michael Dutcher, 28, and Thomas Woodward, 39, assaulted Lorena Schulte, 50, a nurse at the prison, and Robert McFarland, 46, a correctional officer, with hammers as the two employees attempted to stop their escape. Both were pronounced dead on the scene. According to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the men were able to access hammers through the work program where they had tools.

McKinley Roby, an inmate, was also assaulted. He was transported to the University of Iowa Medical Center with multiple skull fractures and is in stable condition. Another prison employee, Lori Mathis, who walked into the break room was detained by Dutcher and Woodward and threatened with assault. She was later released unharmed.

DCI said the inmates attempted to escape by breaking the class of the breakroom’s window and then cut through the bars with a grinder. DCI Special Agent in Charge Richard Ron said that the escape had been planned “for some time.”

Dutcher and Woodward are charged with two charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and second-degree kidnapping.

Dutcher was previously sentenced to 50 years for two counts of first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, and other charges. Woodward was previously sentenced to 25 years for first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary.

If convicted of first-degree murder, the sentence is life without the possibility of parole.

Beth Skinner, director of the Iowa Department of Corrections, remembered those who were lost.

“I call this event a tragedy because that is truly at the heart of what took place yesterday, two wonderful people had their lives taken while they’re simply trying to do their jobs here in Anamosa,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “One, an officer whose mission was to help keep this facility safe, in order for men here to have a safe and rehabilitative environment. To have these two people taken from us in the act of senseless violence is nothing short of tragic.”

According to Skinner, the last time an Iowa Department of Corrections staff member was murdered was in 1975.

Gov. Kim Reynolds discussed the attack at her press conference on Wednesday morning.

“Yesterday at the Anamosa State Penitentiary, two correctional facility employees tragically lost their lives with attacks. I’m going to ask all Iowans to join me in lifting up their grieving families, friends, and colleagues in prayer. It’s hard to understand, such a senseless loss, but it’s my hope that the prayers of our state may offer some sense of peace and comfort during this difficult time. I also want to recognize the leadership and the staff at the Anamosa facility, and the Department of Corrections. This is an extremely difficult situation. You’ve lost two of your own. And I want you to know that all of us stand united and ready to support you. I also want to acknowledge and thank the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation, whose team is on the ground, and working hard to ensure that justice is realized,” she said.

The Iowa Department of Corrections and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continue to investigate.

Read the criminal complaint below:

ADVERTISEMENT
Affidavit Attachment A

Listen to the press conference held with officials with the Iowa Department of Corrections and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

RELATED POSTS

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

Regents Board President pauses new DEI programs at Iowa’s public universities

Tags: Anamosa State PenitentiaryBeth SkinnerIowa Department of CorrectionsIowa Division of Criminal InvestigationKim Reynolds
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Reynolds Non-Committal on Bill Allowing Permitless Carrying of Firearms

Next Post

Iowa House Passes Felon Voting Rights Amendment

Iowa Torch

Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans.

Related Posts

white tiled wall with men s restroom sign
State Government

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

March 20, 2023
State Government

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

March 16, 2023
people running during daytime
Opinion

Ernst: For our daughters.

March 13, 2023
Reynolds appoints Chad Aldis to head Iowa Dept. of Education
Education

Reynolds appoints Chad Aldis to head Iowa Dept. of Education

March 9, 2023
State Government

Iowa Senate passes government reorganization bill

March 8, 2023
State Government

State of Iowa selects Odyssey to administer Education Savings Accounts program

March 1, 2023
Next Post
Windschitl: Iowa House Republicans’ Three Top Priorities

Iowa House Passes Felon Voting Rights Amendment

Iowa House Approves Charter School Expansion

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Constitutional amendment clarifying gubernatorial line of succession clears first hurdle

March 25, 2022
Homeschoolers rally at Iowa State Capitol

Homeschoolers rally at Iowa State Capitol

March 17, 2022
Reynolds Signs Charter School Expansion Bill Into Law

Iowa Dept. of Education Releases Charter School Guidance

December 23, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Iowa’s New Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Overall Rates Rise

    Horn: It’s time for employers get serious about Iowa’s untapped workforce

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ernst: Biden’s WOTUS whiplash.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Regents Board President pauses new DEI programs at Iowa’s public universities

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.