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‘I'm worried I'll strangle you,’ inmate told victim
7 Sep
Summary
- Accused inmate warned cellmate he might strangle him.
- Victim alerted guards by saying 'I've killed my padmate'.
- Defendant claims insanity or diminished responsibility.
Jonathan Alcide, 36, stands accused of murdering his cellmate, Neil Ashby, 49, at HMP Stoke Heath between June 30 and July 1, 2025. The court heard that Alcide had expressed concerns about his own mental state and even told Ashby weeks earlier, "I'm worried I'm going to strangle you."
Following Ashby's death by strangulation, Alcide alerted prison staff by ringing a buzzer and stating, "I've killed my padmate." A prison officer described his demeanor as "eerily nonchalant."
Alcide admits to killing Ashby but denies murder, claiming insanity or diminished responsibility. Prosecutors, however, are arguing it was a "cold-blooded, deliberate murder."
Evidence presented also revealed Alcide had sought medical attention the week before the incident, requesting to be certified sick due to severe PTSD and paranoia. After his arrest, he told a forensic psychologist he was an "angel turned into demon."
