An inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary was charged Monday for the death of a cellmate.
Mark Anthony Neal, 33, was charged with murder in the first degree for the death of Christian James Farris, 32, according to court documents filed in Pittsburg County District Court.
A probable cause affidavit filed in the case states investigators with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Office of Inspector General were called to OSP on Dec. 12, 2024, to investigate the death of an inmate.
A correctional officer told investigators that Farris was observed covered by a blanket and when the blanket was removed, blood was observed on Farris’s body and across the cell, the report states.
“Neal refused to provide a statement,” the report states.
According to the affidavit, an autopsy showed Farris died from multiple stab wounds.
The affidavit states Neal and Farris first became cellmates in May of 2023.
ODOC records show Neal was originally serving a life sentence for murder in the first degree out of Bryan County District Court. Farris was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder out of Seminole County District Court.