MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Marion County inmate is facing manslaughter charges after deputies said another inmate died after he punched and pushed him to the ground.
Deputies said Cory Merchant, 38, died after Eric Lutterloah, 52, hit him several times, causing him to fall and hit his head on the cement floor.
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Merchant died less than a week after he was transported to the hospital.
Deputies said Lutterloah told them he was awoken by Merchant and other inmates talking and laughing on Nov. 7. Lutterloah said he asked Merchant to leave the area, and the fight began after he refused.
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At the time of the incident, Lutterloah was being held without bond at the Marion County Jail for the charges of armed kidnapping, sexual battery, failure to comply with sex offender reporting requirements, forgery, and giving a false report of a crime.
He remains incarcerated in the Marion County jail, where he will continue to be held without bond.
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