Teen accused of murdering fellow inmate

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Fights are not uncommon at any jail. But a beating inside the Erie County Holding Center cost an inmate his life.

At 19-years-old, Tyshawn Ball will answer to a charge of second degree murder. Tom Diina, acting jail superintendent, says Ball beat 49-year-old Patrick Yale to death last June.

"The victim subsequently died after his injuries a couple of months after the incident itself," Diina said.

The incident happened in a common area, just days after Ball was arrested on arson and assault charges. The victim allegedly violated his parole, after serving time for molesting a 7-year-old boy.

Diina noted, "This is an extremely rare occurrance."

Past news stories on the Holding Center:

September 2012: Inmate, fiancee accused of smuggling

August 2012: Inmate takes his own life

May 2012: In 3 months, 3 inmates wrongly released

February 2012: Video captures alleged inmate abuse

News 4 has uncovered a first-hand account of what happened:

Yale had joined a fight already happening. Deputies broke up the initial fight and then say Ball punched Yale in the head with a closed fist, knocking him to the concrete floor. Yale hit his head on the steel cell bars, ending up on the ground in the fetal position.

The criminal complaint then says Ball stomped on Yale's face and head, causing major blood loss, skull fractures and brain swelling, putting Yale into a coma.

While there are surveillance cameras on the outside of the jail, on the inside, it's a much different story: there is no video evidence of this incident.

Diina says officers acted appropriately in this latest incident.

"You can't predict human behavior. I can't sit here and tell you that I'm going to be able to prevent any inmate from being attacked by another inmate," Diina said.

Ball has since been moved to a cell in the highest security area. Yale died early last month at the Erie County Home and Infirmary in Alden.