Two inmates serving child sex crimes died on the same day last week at a prison in upstate New York.
William Bland and Robert Fisher were arrested at Elmira Correctional Center in Chemung County, New York, at 2:52 a.m. and 1:50 a.m. on Oct. 22, CBS6 Albany reported, citing the state Department of Corrections. He was pronounced dead at the facility.
The Chemung County Coroner’s Office has not released the cause of death for either man.
Fisher, 34, is one month into a sentence with a life expectancy of 20 years after being found guilty of drugging, raping and murdering a 3-year-old girl in July 2023, according to another report from CBS6. It became.
Bland, 51, was arrested in April on suspicion of sexual activity with a child, according to WRGB Albany and state prison records.
He was serving a 10-year sentence and arrived in Elmira on Oct. 10, according to state prison records.
Fisher was introduced to Raksha Cunningham, the mother of toddler Josefina Cunningham, by a neighbor in Rensselaer County, according to local reports.
Confessed child rapist and murderer Robert Fisher dies at Elmira Correctional Facility
facility in the early morning hours of October 22nd. Rensselaer City Police Department
A few days after becoming friends with Rakesha, Fisher stole her prescription drugs and used them to drug Josefina, then raped the girl, according to the district attorney’s office.
“The defendant took the medication prescribed to LaKesha, broke it up into small pieces, and put it in a cup for Josie to drink. He drugged her and entered her bedroom,” CBS6 Albany reported. , raped her,” District Attorney Antonia Edwards said in a statement.
“He did this every waking moment she was alive. We only know it now through the autopsy results,” she added.
According to CBS6 Albany, some of the details of Fisher’s inhumane crime were too gruesome to be shared in court.
“It was humiliating to see photos of Ms. Josie’s face after what the defendant did to her,” Rensselaer Police Chief Warren Famigletti told the magazine. Those images will forever be etched in the minds of those who see them. ”
“I sincerely hope that Robert Fisher will never have the chance to breathe in peace on this earth again,” Famiglietti added.
Chief Famiglietti posted this on Facebook following news of Fisher’s death:
“On behalf of the Rensselaer Police Department, I would like to announce the death of Robert Fisher, an acknowledged child murderer, rapist, and predator. Comments expressing joy and relief at the news of his death You can already see it online,” Famiglietti said.
“I find it impossible to construct a rational and clear argument against those expressing relief while being careful not to express my personal beliefs in a professional setting,” he added. “In the end, it appears that justice has been served.” The powers are far greater,” the police chief added.
Josefina Cunningham’s uncle Jaquan Stewart also responded.
“Justice will be served,” Stewart told News10, adding, “I’m still going to keep Josefina’s memory alive.” Instead of reinstating New York’s death penalty, I would make it federal law in all 50 states. ”
William Brand dies after being convicted of child sex crimes
Early this morning at Elmira Correctional Facility.
October 22nd. new york state police
Fisher and Bland are currently listed in state prison records as being released due to death.
