SMYRNA — Police have arrested a 55-year-old James T. Vaughn Correctional Center prisoner who allegedly killed his cellmate earlier this week.

John Cameron of Claymont was charged with a single count of first-degree murder, said Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Jason Hatchell. 

DSP responded to the prison, at 1181 Paddock Road in Smyrna, at approximately 8:13 a.m. Monday for a reported homicide, he said.

An investigation has determined that Cameron attacked his 69-year-old cellmate, later identified as Philip Langell of Newark.

Langell suffered injuries to his head, face and neck "consistent with multiple strikes from a closed fist," Cpl. Hatchell said.

Langell was also stabbed with "a distinctive edged instrument," the spokesman said. He died at the scene.

As a result of the autopsy, Langell’s cause of death was attributed to the head and neck injuries, as well as asphyxiation, Cpl. Hatchell said. The stab wound was not a contributing factor. 

On Wednesday, the DSP Homicide Unit arrived at Vaughn with an arrest warrant, including a single count of first-degree murder.

Cameron was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court 2 and remained in the custody of the Department of Correction on $1 million cash bond.

Deputy Bureau Chief of Prisons Paul G. Shavack said that Cameron is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and Langell was serving a 20-year sentence for first-degree rape of a victim under 12.