Putnamville inmate charged with stabbing another

Thursday, June 22, 2017

PUTNAMVILLE — A 55-year-old inmate, already in prison on a pair of charges, faces two additional felonies for allegedly stabbing another offender in an April incident at Putnamville Correctional Facility.

Daniel Gwazda was charged in Putnam Circuit Court on Wednesday with Level 5 felony battery by means of a deadly weapon and Level 4 felony prisoner possessing a deadly weapon.

Gwazda is currently serving a 4.5-year term for a pair of 2016 convictions out of Marion County, for Level 5 felony robbery and Level 5 felony dealing in cocaine.

Prior to his new charges, Gwazda’s projected release date was February 2020, according to Department of Correction data.

Investigator James Smith reported that on the evening of April 22, a fight was reported in the dorm latrine between Gwazda and 55-year-old William Wallace.

Wallace told investigators he walked into the latrine and was assaulted and stabbed by Gwazda multiple times, including just below his eye.

Offender Wallace said he then grabbed Gwazda’s right hand to prevent further stabs, at which time Gwazda reportedly produced a razor blade with his left hand and cut the right side of Wallace’s face.

The investigation revealed injuries consistent with Wallace’s statement. Additionally, the statements of three other offenders support Wallace’s account.

The two men had allegedly argued earlier in the day when Wallace reportedly became upset at Gwazda for calling another inmate a coward. Later in the day, Gwazda allegedly threatened Wallace and challenged him to a fight.

Wallace is at Putnamville serving a 60-year sentence for murder and an additional eight for battery. Convicted in Hamilton County in 1990, Wallace’s projected release date is August 2024.

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