Osteen Facing Simple Assault Charges For Inmate Death

Springfield, SD

An altercation between two inmates may have started from a fight over a remote control hours before one was found unresponsive. 

South Dakota Secretary of the Department of Corrections Denny Kaemingk said 62-year-old Dennis Lashley died following a fight with 49-year-old Kendall Osteen.

According to Kaemingk, Lashley and Osteen were roommates.  After reviewing security camera footage, Osteen was seen standing in a hallway.  Lashley came out of their room and accused Osteen of stealing his remote control.  Lashley grabbed Osteen by the neck, and Osteen hit Lashley in the face causing his nose to bleed.

Kaemingk said Osteen told a guard about the altercation.  Lashley was found unresponsive later on.  Due to the on-going investigation, Kaemingk did not say if the injuries led to Lashley's death.

Right now, Osteen is only being charged with simple assault because the investigation has not connected the death to the altercation.

Watch KELOLAND News for more details on this story.