SPRING HILL, Fla. — A Hernando County jail inmate has been accused of second-degree murder following an incident that led to another inmate’s death, authorities reported Tuesday. The altercation, captured on the jail’s security cameras, occurred in the facility’s medical housing unit and resulted in a tragic outcome.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis detailed that the assault happened last Friday when inmate William Gillespie allegedly attacked Jory Van Antwerp, kicking him multiple times in the head. Van Antwerp was in the medical unit for treatment related to a pre-existing serious health condition. Initially, the injuries seemed minor; however, his condition rapidly deteriorated, culminating in a fatal brain bleed after his transfer to the hospital, where he died hours later.
Officials described the attack as both “unexpected and unprovoked.” Gillespie reportedly claimed that Van Antwerp had been verbally abusive the night before, although investigations and interviews with other inmates suggested no such interactions had occurred. According to Sheriff Nienhuis, Van Antwerp was generally quiet, and there was no evident provocation for the attack.
The sheriff further explained that Gillespie was previously in custody on a battery charge and had a history of altercations with inmates, yet he was not classified as a violent felon. His criminal record includes 11 felony arrests with five convictions. Under normal circumstances, his record would not necessitate segregation from the general inmate population.
Van Antwerp was incarcerated on charges of allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, but Sheriff Nienhuis believes that Gillespie was unaware of these accusations at the time of the attack. The sheriff described the moment as a “crime of opportunity,” suggesting Gillespie acted out of impulse rather than premeditation.
This incident has raised questions regarding the monitoring and management of inmates within the facility, specifically how inmates with violent tendencies are evaluated and housed. The local community and authorities are calling for a thorough review of the jail’s policies and procedures to prevent such incidents in the URL=feature.
As this case progresses, the legal focus will likely touch on both the immediate circumstances of the attack and broader issues of inmate safety and security protocols. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of a life and awaits justice in what has become a high-profile case within the region, highlighting the ever-present challenges in managing inmate behavior and ensuring safety within correctional facilities.