GOUVERNEUR — An inmate at Gouverneur Correctional Facility has been indicted on a second-degree assault charge stemming from an April 10  homicide investigation, according to the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office.

Savon O’Neal, 40, was indicted by a St. Lawrence County grand jury on one count of second-degree assault, a Class D felony.

According to the indictment, O’Neal is accused of intentionally causing physical injury to another person on or about April 10 in the town of Gouverneur.

The district attorney’s office also alleges that O’Neal was confined in a detention facility and had previously been convicted of a crime at the time of the alleged offense.

On April 10 around 8:30 a.m., the New York State Police were informed of a possible homicide at Gouverneur Correctional Facility.

State Police say that correction officers were conducting routine rounds when they discovered an inmate, identified as Shaun Bennett, 45, lying on the floor in his cell.

Bennett was unable to move and was transported to the facility infirmary, where he became unresponsive. Officers and medical staff administered lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful. The St. Lawrence County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced Bennett dead.

According to State Police, an investigation revealed that a physical altercation had occurred between Bennett and his cellmate, Savon O’Neal, who was transported to SUNY Upstate Medical University for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

An autopsy was conducted at Glens Falls Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael S. Sikirica. The cause of death for Shaun Bennett was determined to be cardiorespiratory arrest due to a closed head injury, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.