Nebraska will pay $479,000 to settle 2017 inmate death lawsuit

In their lawsuit, Berry's family argued that prison officials were responsible for his death because he was put in the same cell as Schroeder.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska agreed to pay $479,000 to the family of an inmate who was strangled to death in 2017 by a fellow inmate who didn’t want a cellmate.

Terry Berry Jr., 22, was killed five days after Patrick Schroeder was placed in his cell at Tecumseh State Prison.

Schroeder wrapped his arm around Berry’s neck and squeezed for five minutes before getting a towel and twisting it around his neck until he was sure Berry was dead.

In their lawsuit, Berry’s family argued that prison officials were responsible for his death because he was put in the same cell as Schroeder.

A caseworker at the prison warned co-workers involved in the decision that Schroeder didn’t want a cellmate and wouldn’t likely tolerate Berry because he was known to be “very talkative and bothersome.”

The Department of Correctional Services still decided to place Berry with Schroeder.

Berry was nearing parole on a sentence for forgery and assault when he was placed with Schroeder, who was serving a life sentence for killing a 75-year-old man and dumping his body in a well.

After he pleaded guilty to killing Berry, Schroeder was sentenced to death.