Dramatic videotape of the fatal beating of an inmate at Chicago's downtown federal prison was shown in court Tuesday, as prosecutors presented their case in the murder trial of a 20-year-old Michigan man.
Federal prosecutors say inmate Jason Tolen, of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, beat another inmate, 32-year-old Jason Katz, to death a class the two were taking in "growth and development" to prepare for life on the outside.
The Chicago Tribune said the attack occurred March 11 after Katz repeatedly called Tolen a "bitch ass snitch" in front of about 40 other inmates attending the pre-release class in the prison chapel.
Tolen is seen on the videotape (available on the Tribune Web site) standing up, storming to the back of the room and throwing punches furiously at Katz.
Daniel Greenstein, a psychologist who was leading the class, testified at Tolen's trial in federal court that after about 15 seconds of battering, Katz staggered a few feet and collapsed. Katz never regained consciousness and died the next day of massive head injuries.
Tolen's defense attorney told the jury that Katz provoked the attack, challenging Tolen with the "bitch ass snitch" remarks. Had Tolen not responded, the attorney said, he would have been perceived by fellow inmantes as easy prey.
