Staff Report

Parker Scott Harner

Brett Allen Niccum

WARSAW — Two local men are facing charges after allegedly battering an inmate at the Kosciusko County Jail.

Parker Scott Harner, 27, 102 S. Main St. Apartment 3, Claypool, is charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.

Brett Allen Niccum, 28, 3531 W. SR 14, Silver Lake, is charged with battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony.

On May 31, a Kosciusko County Jail corporal was informed of a male inmate being battered. The inmate had a laceration in the corner of his left eye and his nose was crooked. When the corporal asked what happened, the inmate appeared dazed and was unable to answer questions. The inmate was then taken to a local hospital.

According to court documents, the inmate slowly began to remember what happened and said he was battered by Niccum and Harner. He said the confrontation with Niccum and Harner started because he had an argument with an officer.

The inmate was diagnosed with a nasal bone fracture and post-concussion syndrome. He also received four stitches for the laceration near his eye.

Surveillance footage from the jail showed Niccum, Harner, and the inmate having a conversation when Harner and Niccum began punching the inmate.

While searching Harner’s cell after the incident, an officer found a shredded sheet and towel that had been made into a pillow.

Harner was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Oct. 11, with a $10,250 surety and cash bond.

Niccum has already been arrested and has a pretrial conference at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in Kosciusko Superior Court One.