ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WNCT) — An inmate at the Pasquotank Correctional Institution (PCI) received the death penalty Thursday for his role in the 2017 deaths of four prison employees.

On Mar. 27, 2025, a Pasquotank County jury recommended four sentences of death for Jonathan Michael Monk. Monk was accused of helping start a fire at the prison on October 12, 2017 before murdering PCI employees Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Geoffrey Howe, and Wendy Shannon during a failed escape attempt. Monk faced four counts of first degree murder and other charges.

North Carolina law states that a jury in a capital murder trial can either recommend a sentence of death, or life without possibility of parole. The judge ultimately decides whether or not to accept the jury’s recommendation.

The trial was presided over by Pitt County Superior Court Judge Jeffery B. Foster, and the prosecution team consisted of Assistant District Attorneys Kim Pellini and Alexis Massengill, and Legal Assistant Hannah Gilroy.

Judge Foster sentenced the defendant to four consecutive death sentences, with an additional five consecutive active sentences for assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill Inflicting serious injury to PCI employees Scott Stormer, Curtis Casper, Steve Sanders, Jerry Byrum, and Timothy Lewis. The defendant also received consecutive active sentences for the attempted first degree murder of PCI employee George Midgett, felony burning a public building, felony attempted escape, and felony riot.

The total active sentences to run at the expiration of the death sentences was 60-81 years.

“The sentences imposed by Judge Foster are a testament to the savagery of the assaults committed by the defendant and his companions on the victims. Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Geoffrey Howe and Wendy Shannon were people just like us. They woke that day and left their families to go to work to make a living, never to return home again,” District Attorney Jeff Cruden said. “I am amazed at the resiliency of the victim’s families, and the survivors of that horrific day, to stay the course to ensure that justice is served, and those responsible are held accountable. I am also very proud of the members of my office. They worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that those that can no longer speak, have a voice and are remembered”.

Monk is one of four inmates charged in the deadly 2017 attack.

Two other inmates convicted at their murder trials were also sentenced to death. Wisezah Buckman was sentenced in November 2023 and Mikel Brady, the self-proclaimed “pack leader,” was sentenced in 2019.

A fourth suspect, Seth Frazier, is still awaiting trial.