A 25-year-old inmate killed his 70-year-old cellmate inside a Washington state prison after discovering the man had been convicted of sexually abusing his younger sister years earlier.
According to court records, Shane Goldsby repeatedly requested a cell transfer after learning that his cellmate, Robert Munger, was responsible for the abuse. Despite multiple requests, the two men continued sharing a cell.
Prosecutors said Goldsby eventually attacked Munger, causing severe head injuries. Munger was transported to a hospital, where he died several days later.
Goldsby later admitted to the killing, telling the court that being forced to live with the man who had harmed his sister pushed him over the edge. He was ultimately sentenced to nearly 25 additional years in prison for Munger’s death.
What do you think of the tension in this report? There’s themes of justice or retribution, vengeance, and other routes of forgiveness. But being left in a cell with the person is crazy work. What would you have done and do you agree with Goldsby’s actions?
