NJ Inmate Who Killed Himself Had Belt

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Officials want to know why an inmate who hanged himself in a Newark jail cell was allowed to keep his belt.

The Newark Police Department's Internal Affairs bureau and the Essex County Prosecutor's Officer have launched investigations into Tyron Benson's death.

The 31-year-old was found hanging by his belt from the bars of his cell in the Green Street jail on Thanksgiving. He had been charged with eluding police.

Police department rules call for the removal of belts and other personal items from prisoners before they are placed in cells.

Newark Police spokesman Detective Hubert Henderson told The Star-Ledger of Newark he couldn't say why Benson had his belt on, "if in fact he did."

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