Raymond Despres no longer appears on the
DOC website
"Of course, DoC does not even acknowledge this inmate in any of the
search areas."
and
Warden Whitehead no
longer appears at Hamilton.
"Warden Whitehurst left Hamilton immediately after the investigation of the Despres
incident."
Hi Kay,
I didn't think it could happen, but it did.....
Inmate Despres, a new inmate at Hamilton MU, early 20's, was attacked in the
"git" dorm. I heard he took one karate chop in the neck. He was taken off
of life support several days later.
The small report we saw in the newspaper was "he died in his cell of natural
causes."
Many people should lose their jobs over this one.
Please get the word out to those who care. Contact his family.
Inmates name Despres,
Alonzo DC# 125966
I heard from the Asst Warden that he was in the "git" dorm which is where all
the under 21 are housed. They are together because of the Child Nutrition Act
which basically means they get one milk per day -- as far as I can tell that
is the only difference in their diet. I was told the situation in that dorm
was similar to "Lord of the Flies."
Despres was evidently being told that he would buy things for another inmate
(extortion) or he would pay a price. When he refused, he received a
"karate-style" chop to the neck. He was life-flighted from the institution,
kept on life support, and died a few days later. Of course, he could not
identify who hit him and they cannot take one inmate's word over another -- so
no one was charged.
This is the second time this has happened in less than 3 months. Another
[inmate] was attacked (inmates jumped from upper bunks on his head), and they
soon pushed his unconscious body under the bunk. After coming back from noon
chow, one inmate told the officer to check under the bunk. He was also life-flighted
and stayed on life support for several days. He survived but has permanent
brain damage. He also was unable to identify his attackers so they got away
with it.
If these were my sons I would be enraged. Their parents need to be notified.
Also, changes need to be made in this dorm. They are also in here because it
is "safer" than being with the older inmates....sexual assault, extortion,
etc.
Warden Whitehurst left Hamilton immediately after the investigation of the
Despres incident was announced. We are all so thankful he is gone. I don't
know if he left as a result of this investigation.
I'm glad
you're here.
THE ARTICLE -
20-year-old man who was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of committing violent crimes in Gainesville has died.
Alonzo Joseph Despres of Gainesville was pronounced dead Saturday at Shands at Jacksonville.
State prison officials said Despres was found alone, unconscious in his dormitory at Hamilton Correctional Institution on Thursday. He was listed as a close custody inmate, one of the most-restrictive classifications for an inmate.
"He (Despres) was flown to the hospital in Jacksonville," said Department of Corrections spokesman Sterling Ivey. "His family agreed to have him taken off life support and his organs were donated."
After Despres was pronounced dead at 1 p.m., an autopsy was conducted at the Medical Examiner's Office in Jacksonville, which determined Despres had died of natural causes. Those familiar with the case said Despres had an aneurysm.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was asked to investigate the death and concluded no foul play was involved. Despres was sentenced to prison on Feb. 4 for the May 2003 attempted murder and robbery of a convenience store employee two days after a home invasion robbery.
He was first sent to the North Florida Reception Center in Lake Butler on Feb. 28. He was transferred to Hamilton Correctional Institution on March 9.
Karen Voyles can be reached at (352) 486-5058 or voylesk@gvillesun.com.
THE OBITUARY -
Alonzo Joseph "A.J." Despres, 20, of Gainesville, Fla.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Alonzo Joseph "A.J." Despres, 20, of
Gainesville, Fla., and formerly of Burlington, died unexpectedly Saturday,
March 20, 2004.
Born in Portsmouth, N.H., he was the son of Gilbert J. and Francine V. (Bussey)
Despres. He grew up in Burlington, attended Memorial Elementary School,
Marshal Simonds Middle School and Burlington High School. He played Pop
Warner football and Little League baseball in Burlington. His family had
just recently moved to Gainesville.
He will be remembered for his great sense of humor and for being a friend to
everyone.
Besides his parents, he leaves his sister, Rachael Despres of Gainesville;
his grandparents, George and Sheila Bussey of Gainesville and Noella Despres
of Waltham.
He was the grandson of the late Alonzo Despres.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 27, at 9 a.m., from the
Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (exit 34 off Rte.
128, Woburn side), ! followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at
St. Margaret's Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington.
Burial will be in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.
Visiting hours are Friday, March 26, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m., at the
funeral home.
Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Despres Family Fund,
c/o Citizens Bank, 33 Center St., Burlington, NA 01803.