Inmate Found Guilty For Beating Death Of Fellow South Woods Prison Inmate
Friday, June 13, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BRIDGETON, NJ.- On Thursday, June 12, 2025, following a bench trial in Cumberland County Superior Court, Superior Court Judge Niki Arbittier convicted Anthony Cole, 39, an inmate at South Woods State Prison, of murder in connection with the 2019 beating death of a fellow inmate inside his prison cell. Judge Arbittier also found Cole to be a persistent offender.
According to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae, On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Judge Arbittier found Cole guilty of a single count of Murder in the death of Keyon Wade inside South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey.
According To Evidence Presented At Trial
According to evidence presented at trial, on December 4, 2019, Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division responded to a homicide at South Woods State Prison. The victim, identified as Keyon Wade, had been found unresponsive inside his cell, having succumbed to severe head and neck injuries. Mr. Wade was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
Following a post-mortem examination of Mr. Wade, the Medical Examiner’s Office determined the Cause of Death to be multiple skull fractures as well as a fractured spine and the Manner of Death to be Homicide.
During the ensuing investigation, Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division and Detectives of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Cole, also an inmate at South Woods State Prison, attacked and beat to death his cellmate, Keyon Wade.
Following finding Cole guilty, Judge Arbitter scheduled sentencing for August 18, 2025. At that time, Cole faces up to an additional 30 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require Cole to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.
