Prison officers charged after allegedly refusing to let inmate out of burning cell, which led to his death

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA/Gray News) - Two correctional officers have been charged after allegedly refusing to let an inmate out of his burning cell, which led to his death.

Crystal Janelle West and William Eugene Romero were arrested on Sunday. West is charged with manslaughter and Romero is charged with criminally negligent homicide.

A source with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice told KFDA that the inmate, who has not been identified, was on the extended cell block, which is a “prison within a prison” and considered the highest security level.

According to the source, an inmate lit fire to a mattress inside the cell and was non-compliant to commands to put his hands in the food tray slot opening to be put in restraints, prompting officers to call for a supervisor.

West, a sergeant, assessed the situation and asked Romero, a lieutenant, for next steps. Romero did not want the food tray slot opened and told West to leave it closed, according to the source.

“He said, ‘It’s just gonna stay shut. We’re not opening it. It’s a safety risk,’” the source said.

The source said West came back an hour later, opened the food tray slot and smoke was billowing out of the cell.

West then walked away and told the inmate that she would not pull him out of the cell and would not open the door. The source said West refused to help in any way.

The source said West came back an hour later and the inmate was unresponsive and was unable to be revived.

West and Romero are no longer employed at the prison.

West’s bond is set at $200,000 and Romero’s bond is set at $150,000.