Trenton inmate charged with murder of cellmate

According to a Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office release, there were indications Lamar Gaines, age 19, choked and suffocated Darryl Boone, 38. An autopsy is pending.

HOPEWELL — A Trenton inmate at the Mercer County Correction is accused of murdering a fellow inmate in the early morning hours of Oct. 5.
   According to a Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office release, there were indications Lamar Gaines, age 19, choked and suffocated Darryl Boone, 38. An autopsy is pending.
   At approximately 1:30 a.m. Oct. 5, corrections officers observed water flowing from under the door of a cell located in the receiving and detention area at the Mercer County Correction Center. When officers entered the cell, they discovered Mr. Boone’s body.
   Officers secured Mr. Gaines, also in the cell, and then rendered emergency aid to Mr. Boone. EMS personnel also responded and continued in the attempt to revive Mr. Boone, but were unsuccessful.
   Mr. Gaines, who was being held in lieu of bail for a February 2012 robbery and car jacking, was charged with the murder and bail was set at $1 million full cash by Judge F. Patrick McManimon.
   The release further stated that Mr. Gaines was involved in an assault that occurred in the gym area of the correction center that left another inmate hospitalized. He was charged with attempted murder as a result of that incident.
   Mr. Boone was being held at the correction center in lieu of bail on a recent vehicular homicide charge.