A man accused of murdering Alisha Samuels in the street has allegedly been attacked and robbed by fellow inmates just days after being taken into custody. Lawrence Johnson, 26, faces charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with the death of Ms. Samuels, 26, who was found with stab wounds on Dorking Avenue in Manchester on October 15.
Video footage that emerged this week appears to show Johnson being taunted, threatened, and assaulted by other inmates within HMP Walton, where he is being held. The clip, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts Johnson being ordered around a cell and having items taken from him.
Johnson was arrested alongside 19-year-old Carl Hardy and 19-year-old Tony Evans. All three have appeared in court and are currently in jail.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated that violence is not tolerated in prisons and that the incident was addressed swiftly. The ministry has ordered the removal of the posts containing the footage and is investigating how the phone used to record the incident came to be in the prison.
Friends have remembered Alisha Samuels as a "beautiful soul" and someone who was "beautiful inside and out." Aimee Quinn described Ms. Samuels as a friend she spoke to daily, lamenting the loss of their planned travels and shared moments. Another friend recalled Ms. Samuels as one of the kindest and funniest people they had met.
Donna, whose daughter attended school with Ms. Samuels, said she had a "smile that would light up every room" and was "beautiful and clever."
Detective Chief Inspector Justin Bryant expressed that his thoughts remain with Ms. Samuels' family and friends during this "devastating loss." He also thanked the public for their support in the investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.