SMITHFIELD – No criminal charges will be filed against any staff member or inmate at Johnston Correctional Institution (JCI) related to the 2021 death of an inmate. District Attorney Susan Doyle made the announcement after a review of the findings of a investigation by the NCSBI.
Glenn Witte Stickler, age 66, died January 10, 2021 at JCI in Smithfield. Stickler had been in prison since 1987 and was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder following a conviction in Buncombe County.
At 6:43am on January 10, 2021, a code was called after Stickler was found unresponsive in his bunk. Lifesaving measures were performed and later discontinued at 7:12am. He was pronounced deceased by EMS.
SBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) P.A. Stevens and Special Agent L.B. Stewart conducted an investigation into Stickler’s death at the request of JCI Superintendent Roderick Watson.
The SBI agents interviews inmates in and around the same cell as Stickler. The inmates advised Stickler had asked them for a light so that he could smoke what they knew to be “K2” or synthetic cannabinoid. Inmates explained the K2 gets into the prison by way of correctional officers, mail, or even the fence. One inmate gave Stickler a piece of lit toilet paper, and Stickler returned to his bunk presumably to smoke K2. Stickler was later found unresponsive in his bunk by a fellow inmate who alerted staff.
An autopsy performed January 11, 2021 by the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the presence of synthetic cannabinoid that has been linked to deaths in other cases. The medical examiner determined his death was accidental.
“After a thorough review of the NCSBI investigative report and several discussions with ASAC Stevens, I have concluded that this criminal investigation may be closed. As a result no criminal charges against any staff member or inmate of JCI will be filed related to this incident,” District Attorney Doyle said.
He was serving life and his life was served. Good riddance