Published: November 06, 2009 03:56 pm      

Man indicted in resident’s death surrenders

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — The man accused in the death of a Lubbock State School resident has turned himself in to authorities.

Thirty-eight-year-old Doneil Smith was indicted on a manslaughter charge last month. He remains in Lubbock County Jail with bond set at $50,000.

A woman at the office of his attorney, Frederick Stangl, said Stangl was unavailable to comment Friday.

A coroner ruled the death in June of Michael Nicholson was due to suffocation during a struggle.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports agency documents indicate Smith allegedly restrained Nicholson by sitting on him.

Six state school workers, including Smith, were fired after the incident. Laura Albrecht, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, says the firings were tied to the “physical abuse and neglect” of a resident.

The school is now called the Lubbock State Supported Living Center.

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Information from: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, http://www.lubbockonline.com