Jailed man faces charge in death of cellmate

A man is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of his cellmate.

The Alaska Dispatch News reports 20-year-old James Clinton had been in an Anchorage jail cell with 53-year-old Mark Canul for about four hours Friday when a prison guard found the older man unconscious during a routine check.

Canul was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Troopers said in a dispatch released Saturday that Clinton assaulted Canul, contributing to his death.

Both men had both been jailed on charges of refusing to leave bus property. Canul was waiting for a competency hearing and Clinton had a court appearance set for Tuesday.

KTUU-TV reported an autopsy is planned.

Troopers and the Alaska Department of Corrections are conducting separate investigations into the death.

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