Man Who Killed Drexel Grad Student Hangs Himself In Graterford Prison

SCHWENKSVILLE, PA -- A 58-year-old man who was serving a life sentence for murdering a Drexel graduate student hanged himself in his cell last Thursday, officials confirmed.

James Harris was found unresponsive in his cell by guards at around 10:40 p.m. on April 13, a spokesperson from the Department of Corrections said.

Prison staff "provided life-saving measures" at his cell, and he was transported to Einstein Montgomery Hospital immediately, officials said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 11:10 p.m.

The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case. The Montgomery County Coroner has ruled Harris' death a suicide.

Harris, previously a maintenance man in an apartment building where his victim lived, was convicted in March of the murder and rape of Jasmine Wright, 27.

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Harris had begun serving his sentence on April 3.

Graterford has an inmate population of 3,455, according to the state Department of Corrections' monthly report.

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