Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Pennsylvania
End of Watch: Thursday, October 31, 1844
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: October 31, 1844
Weapon Used: Blunt object; Lumber
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Keeper James Gastin was beaten to death by an insane inmate in the Eastern State Penitentiary.
The inmate had become irate inside of his cell after being refused recreation time. Keeper Gastin entered the cell to try to quiet the inmate, but the man attacked him with a floorboard that he had pulled from the floor. He beat Keeper Gastin with the floorboard and repeatedly stomped on him. The inmate then put on Keeper Gastin's clothes and attempted to escape.
Another keeper recognized the inmate and, with the help of other officers, was able to subdue him and put him into a cell.
The inmate confessed to murdering Keeper Gastin and also to previously murdering his own father.