Published: November 19, 2009 11:56 pm      

11/20/09 - Prisoner charged in North Branch cellmate’s death

CUMBERLAND — A North Branch Correctional Institution inmate has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the beating death of his cell mate in April.

Mario Lawrence Bowling, 44, was indicted by the Allegany County grand jury Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder and first- and second-degree assault in connection with the April 16 death of 22-year-old Eric Watkins of Baltimore, according to the Allegany County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Watkins suffered a head injury and was taken to a Cumberland hospital after he and Bowling had apparently fought inside their housing unit. Watkins was found injured by a correctional officer during a routine walk-through.

The investigation was conducted by Maryland State Police with the assistance of the C3I Unit and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Watkins was serving a life sentence for the murder of a 15-year-old Woodlawn girl in July 2005.

Bowling was serving 25 years on conviction of assault, robbery and weapon charges.