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The last of two Green Hill School inmates accused of attacking another inmate in early January while a staff member allegedly “turned a blind eye” has been charged.
Jose L. Cisneros, 19, was charged May 3 with one count of prison riot for his alleged involvement in a Jan. 6 attack on another inmate inside the inmate’s cell.
Cisneros’ preliminary hearing was held on May 15 and he entered a not guilty plea on May 23.
The other alleged attacker, a juvenile identified only as a 17-year-old male, was charged in Lewis County Juvenile Court in February.
The staff member, Michelle M. Goodman, 30, of Centralia, was initially charged on March 12 with one count each of prison riot, abuse of office and fourth-degree conspiracy to commit assault. Amended charges were filed on April 19 after the court obtained more information about the injuries the victim sustained in the attack, according to court documents.
“(The victim) suffered a black eye that lasted for a period of at least two weeks, accompanied by pain that was sufficient to cause issues with his sleep,” the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office stated in amended charging documents.
Given the new information, the prosecutor’s office dropped the fourth-degree conspiracy to commit assault charge and added a third-degree assault charge to Goodman’s case. She still faces one count each of prison riot and abuse of office. She entered a not guilty plea to her initial charges on March 21 but has not yet had an arraignment hearing for the amended charge, according to court documents.
Green Hill School reported the assault to the Chehalis Police Department in late February, according to a news release.
Court documents indicate a Chehalis detective met with the victim at Green Hill on or about Feb. 22.
The victim reportedly told the detective he “heard someone say, ‘are you fine with this?’” then “heard Ms. Goodman reply ‘It’s my job.’” The other voice then reportedly said “It’s not going to take long, you are the only staff I trust.” Soon after the victim overheard that conversation, a Green Hill School inmate entered the victim’s room “and began to beat him,” according to court documents.
Video footage of the incident reportedly shows Goodman socializing with inmates at a table. The victim is seen sitting on a couch before returning to his cell.
As soon as the victim entered his cell, an inmate allegedly identified as Cisneros is seen “tapping the wrist” of a juvenile inmate, who then “immediately walks towards (the victim)’s cell,” according to court documents.
The juvenile inmate “appears to linger outside the room … until the Green Hill employee at the central command station appears distracted by drinking out of a thermos,” according to court documents.
The juvenile inmate then reportedly exited the cell, “walks towards another inmate and appears to have a short and animated conversation with him” a few feet away from Goodman.
Cisneros is then reportedly seen walking to the victim’s cell before returning to the table where Goodman and other inmates are gathered.
“While speaking to the group, Mr. Cisneros appears to hold his fingers up to the right side of his face as if he is indicating an injury location,” according to court documents.
Several minutes later, video reportedly shows Cisneros, who was playing cards with Goodman, “smiling while physically animating throwing a punch with his right fist” before holding “his right hand to his face as if he is simulating an injury.”
The detective who viewed the video noted “Ms. Goodman appears to drop her head and laugh.”
An incident report filed by a different Green Hill School employee indicated that a juvenile inmate had reported the assault during a counseling session. That inmate reportedly “stated Ms. Goodman witnessed the assault and at some point stated, ‘Alright, enough,’” and told the counselor “he wanted to leave Green Hill after learning staff members would facilitate assaults.”
When interviewed by a Chehalis detective on March 11, Goodman allegedly “claimed she could not recall the incident,” according to court documents.
Lewis County Jail records indicate Goodman was booked into the jail at 11 a.m. on March 11. She was released on $20,000 unsecured bail the next day.
Goodman has filed a motion to dismiss the prison riot charge on April 18 on the grounds that “there were no staff members telling the inmates not to (commit assault,)” according to court documents
“The state agrees that there was no oral command given at the time of the incident. However, the state intends to offer the Green Hill School Program Handbook and the Green Hill School Spruce Living Unit intake document at trial, which set out the rules inmates must abide by at the institution, including that inmates not engage in assaultive behavior,” the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office states in a response to the dismissal motion.
A judge has not yet heard the motion in court.
Goodman has waived her right to a speedy trial, according to court documents. A trial setting hearing is scheduled for June 27.
Cisneros’ trial is scheduled to begin July 8.
