PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An inmate accused of killing his cellmate at a state prison in Montgomery County has been ordered to stand trial on charges including first-degree murder.
Nathan Blose, 40, has been accused of killing 45-year-old Shaun Harden in a cell in the restricted housing unit at SCI Phoenix, formerly Graterford, in Skippack. Investigators say video shows Blose and Harden were the only two in the cell in the overnight hours of Oct. 31 into Nov. 1.
A lieutenant at the prison testified at Blose’s preliminary hearing on Tuesday. He claimed he saw Blose at 5:55 a.m., on Nov. 1, standing at the small window in the door of the cell, then saw Harden unresponsive on the floor, partially covered by a white bed sheet. The older man was pronounced dead from multiple injuries, with significant bruising and hemorrhaging on his neck, chest and back.
Harden had been transferred to Phoenix from another state prison earlier that day. He was nearing the end of a 4-to-8-year prison sentence for molesting three children in 2014. The lieutenant, who handled intake, testified he didn’t see any bruises on Harden’s face or neck.
“As testified to today, there were no injuries of note when he arrived at the prison, and then the medical examiner did find that multiple injuries were the cause of death,” said prosecutor Gabby Glenning.
Glenning asked to amend the charges against Blose, to add attempted murder and strangulation of another inmate. Blose’s attorney objected, saying new charges would have to be filed separately and the judge agreed. Glenning declined to elaborate on those allegations until charges have been formally filed.
Blose has been serving a 3.5-to-7-year prison sentence for firearms violations and headbutting a police officer in the face in 2020. He was charged with first- and third-degree murder in connection with Harden’s death.