A 23-year-old Menard Correctional Center inmate has been charged with murder in the death of his cell mate.
Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker says Donald Hazzard is accused of beating 64-year-old Yusuf Abuzir in their cell Jan. 25. Abuzir died in the prison infirmary on Feb. 25. Walker says Hazzard will be held in the Randolph County Jail on a $750,000 bond after he's released from Menard.
Hazzard's 4 -year sentence for illegal weapons possession in McLean County is scheduled to end Sunday. Abuzir's death is one of three cases of inmates dying under suspicious circumstances at Menard since Jan. 31.
Walker filed murder charges against James Amison in the Jan. 31 beating of Jason Hall. Thirty-five-year-old William Crowder was found dead in his cell March 26. Authorities are still awaiting autopsy results.
