The Associated Press
DENVER, Col. - An inmate at a federal “Supermax” prison that houses some of the nation’s most notorious criminals has died after a severe beating, the first violent death in the 10-year history of the facility, officials said Friday.
Manuel Torrez, who was serving a 13 1/2-year term on a racketeering conviction in California, died Thursday, said Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Wendy Montgomery. She refused to identify any suspects in the case and said the FBI was investigating.
A coroner said Torrez, 64, was “beaten viciously on the face, neck and chest” and was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Inmates housed in the $60 million super maximum-security prison, formally known as Administrative Maximum, include 1993 World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef, Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols.
“Supermax” prisoners are kept in near-total solitary confinement and are rarely allowed to see other inmates. Some are allowed out of their cells only an hour a day.