Crime & Safety
Police: Man Dies After Beating in Pinellas Jail Transport Van
A 60-year-old man, who was beaten during transport to the Pinellas County Jail, has died.
Article written by Patch local editor Cherlene Willis.
Thomas Morrow, 60, of Treasure Island died Thursday morning as a result of his injuries from a July attack in a jail transport van, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
The sheriff's office said Leonard Lanni, 37, of St. Pete Beach, beat Morrow in the van while the two were in route to the Pinellas County Jail.
Officials say the attack happened just before 11 p.m. on July 6.
Morrow was taken into protective custody by Treasure Island Police under the Marchman Act and Lanni had been arrested by the Sheriff's Office for Disorderly Conduct, deputies say.
During transport Lanni attacked Morrow, officials say.
Morrow was transported to Bayfront Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was later transferred to Kindred Hospital, in St. Petersburg, where he died Thursday morning, authorities said.
Lanni was originally charged with aggravated battery on July 7, but that charged was upgraded to attempted second-degree murder on Aug. 27. Charges will be amended to murder pending State Attorney's Office review.
The Medical Examiner's Office has taken custody of Morrow's body and an autopsy will be conducted.
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