Show FELONS FELONS' SILENCE BALKS ao Boat rd Fails to Causes of Killing Th The unwritten law law- of the In inside Ind in side sidO dont d dont talk talk has has balked bathed ef ef- ef torts forts of lof the state board of c corrections t to probe underlying causes of the fatal knifing March 4 of Ora Thornton 24 a convict in the state prison yard it was learned Friday Samuel W. W Stewart board member member mem mem- ber bet revealed an investigation of ot re reported reported reported re- re ported cliques and gangs within the prison has failed to pierce a awall a awall awall wall of silence thrown up by prisoners prison prison- ers who fear retaliation if they talk The probe has resulted in one conclusion that conclusion that the knifing of Thornton by Richard Cotti 2 24 fellow fellow fellow fel fel- fel- fel low convict was not the result of negligence by prison officials or guards Mr Stewart said There are aro only four or five guards on on duty in the daytime enough to keep the prisoners in hand but at the time of the fight between en Thornton and Cotti they were on duty at places where they could not see the tho tro trouble ble he said Tho The knifing occurred in a narrow alleyway between cell blocks No 1 and No 2 a few minutes after the inmates had been released from their cells into the yard yord at 8 a. a m. m At an inquest which resulted in ina ina a a. verdict he ho acted in self seU defense Cotti testified his life Ute had been threatened by Thornton and partners partners partners part ners of the tho victim He Indicated Thornton belonged to ton a n clique that Continued on Page Two Column Two I FELONS FELONS' SILENCE BALKS Continued from fron Page One md had accused him of being a stool stoolpigeon stoolpigeon pigeon igeon Mr Stewart said apparently there had bad ad been feeling among a group and nd that the members decided to have it out when they got t the theop- theop eop op- op We Wo are doing what we van can an to Investigate the reports of prisoners prisoners' cliques liques he asserted But we cant can't get et far tar investigating prisoners They are ire fearful of ol retaliation by fellow Inmates Before is closed d the investigation we ve pe will vill try to determine whether there is any anyway way to get more in- in formation Mr Stewart said the e lon tion will remain open until nor or Henry H. H Blood who h has s been Ill 1 can meet with the board G Gov- Gov vernor vernor v- v Blood is is' officio ex chairman n. n The third member is James Jame Ivers When all three members can meet Mr Ir Stewart said findings will wUl be drafted rafted |