FRANKLIN, Ind. — An inmate at the Johnson County Jail in Franklin, Indiana, is facing charges for allegedly beating another inmate to death.
Christian Keishon Howard, 32, of Indianapolis, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Russel Dee Blackwell II.
The incident happened May 21, 2026. According to court records, deputies with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office heard an inmate yelling into a speaker box in his cell. Court documents say a deputy saw Howard striking the bunk in his cell, prompting them to conduct a welfare check. When the deputy looked into the cell, the deputy saw Howard standing over another inmate lying on the lower bunk of the cell, as Howard is said to have struck him repeatedly. Court documents say security footage shows Howard striking the inmate at least 15 times, as well as dragging him to the floor and kicking and stomping on his head and chest…