Murder suspect, trial witness mistakenly put in same cell

LIMA, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio sheriff says a guard mistakenly put a murder suspect in a holding cell with another inmate who was about to testify against him, and a fight ensued.

The Lima News reports that the men weren't handcuffed when the guard put them together in a cell during a break in the trial this week. Sheriff Sam Crish says an investigation will be conducted on how that happened.

Crish says authorities broke up the altercation within two minutes. He says the men suffered only minor injuries.

The holding cell was out of public view, but the sheriff says the fight was recorded on video.

The judge later denied a defense request for a mistrial because of the fight, and he said the video can be shown to the jury.

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