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Riverhead convict killed in state prison

A Riverhead man serving time for murdering a family friend in 1998 was killed in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining this week after an inmate stabbed him with what is commonly referred to as a shank, State Police said.

Police said inmate Miguel Ortiz, 59, attacked Juan Carlos Carrasquillo, 44, in a secluded laundry room in the prison’s honors housing block about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday with a piece of weight-lifting equipment and the homemade knife. The attack stemmed from a prior argument, police said.

Authorities said that it was the first inmate killing at the correctional facility since 2003.

Police said Mr. Carrasquillo was serving a 20-year-to-life sentence for murder and Mr. Ortiz was serving a 15-year sentence for kidnapping.

On Feb. 7, 1998, Mr. Carrasquillo stabbed family friend Alcides Rodriquez of Calverton in the chest with a kitchen knife while Mr. Rodriquez was visiting his Harrison Avenue home. Police said Mr. Carasquillo believed Mr. Rodriquez had made a pass at his mother, Gladys Cruz, a claim Ms. Cruz denied at the time of her son’s arrest. Mr. Carrasquillo fled the scene, but was found on Railroad Avenue after his 13-year-old niece called police.

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