The Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London. BlackburnNews.com file photo. The Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London. BlackburnNews.com file photo.
London

Murder Suspect Beaten At EMDC

Within 24 hours of being taken into custody, one of four people charged in the murder of Raymond Beaver was beaten up in jail.

Peter Townsend, 20, was taken to hospital over the weekend after he was attacked by other inmates at the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre (EMDC). Defence lawyer Gord Cudmore said Townsend suffered facial injuries and a cracked rib in the beating.

"It's very frustrating and makes me quite angry," said Cudmore.

He is now pushing for his client to be transferred out of the Exeter Rd. jail to a safer facility.

"It's up to Corrections Canada, the superintendent at the jail facility whether they will transfer him or not and I am hoping that they will," said Cudmore. "I can request it but the decision is theirs whether they transfer him or not. A judge can recommend a transfer but can't order it."

Townsend is one of four people charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Beaver. The 43-year-old was killed inside his Lansdowne Ave. home in east London on October 2. A second man was assaulted during the home invasion that claimed Beaver's life.

Daniel Cavanagh, 32, Melissa George, 34, and Nicholas George, 18, are also charged with first degree murder. The four are additionally charged with break and enter and assault with a weapon.

Townsend appeared in person at the London court Tuesday in relation to the charges. His case has been put over until October 18.

The EMDC has been thrust into the spotlight time and time again over concerns of violence due to overcrowding and understaffing. In October 2013, 29-year-old Adam Kargus was beaten to death by his cellmate Anthony George. The 32-year-old was sentenced last Friday to life in prison with no chance of parole for ten years for the jailhouse murder.

"The ongoing problems that we have been having at (the EMDC) seem to be in the news constantly and a lot of the people who are in that institution are not convicted of anything. They are just awaiting their trials," said Cudmore.

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