ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Wisezah Buckman, the second man convicted in a deadly 2017 prison break in northeastern North Carolina, has been sentenced to death. Buckman, 36, was charged with the murders of four Pasquotank Correctional Institute workers in a failed escape attempt in Elizabeth City. The jury trial, held in Dare County, lasted for nearly a month before a judge delivered the sentence on Thursday. The jury recommended the death sentence for three of the killings and a life sentence for the fourth.

Buckman is one of four inmates who have faced trial for the deaths of correctional officers Justin Smith and Wendy Shannon, Correction Enterprises manager Veronica Darden, and mechanic Geoffrey Howe. In October 2019, another inmate, Mikel Brady, was found guilty of the same four murders and was also sentenced to death. Two other prisoners, Seth Frazier and Jonathan Monk, are still awaiting trial, and the district attorney’s office has confirmed that it is seeking the death penalty for both.

According to court records, the deadly prison break occurred in the sewing plant of the prison, where inmates set a fire and attacked employees with hammers and screwdrivers. In addition to the four killed, ten workers and four inmates were injured during the riot. Buckman, who was serving a 32-year sentence for second-degree murder at the time of the escape attempt, now faces the death penalty for his actions.

The severity of the sentences reflects the gravity of the crimes committed during the escape attempt. The court’s decision to impose the death penalty on Buckman and Brady demonstrates a strong stance against violence in correctional institutions. The ongoing trials of Frazier and Monk indicate the commitment of the district attorney’s office to seek justice for the victims and hold the responsible parties accountable.

The horrifying incident in 2017 serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by prison staff and the need for enhanced security measures within correctional facilities. The loss of four innocent lives and the injuries suffered by both workers and inmates highlight the urgent need for stricter protocols to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

In conclusion, after a lengthy jury trial, Wisezah Buckman has been sentenced to death for his role in the deadly prison break that claimed the lives of four Pasquotank Correctional Institute workers. This sentencing follows the earlier conviction and sentencing of another inmate, Mikel Brady, to death for the same crimes. The trials of Frazier and Monk are yet to take place, with the district attorney’s office seeking the death penalty for both. The incidents serve as a somber reminder of the need for enhanced security measures and stricter protocols in correctional institutions to safeguard the lives of both staff and inmates.