AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Two former guards at Augusta State Medical Prison have been found not guilty in connection with the death of an inmate.

A two-count federal indictment unsealed in August 2025 charged Robert Roberson and Marcus Phillips violating the constitutional rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to a substantial risk of harm to an inmate, resulting in his death.

The indictment alleges that on Oct. 28, 2020, Roberson and Phillips became aware of a smoldering fire in an inmate’s cell.

Rather than extinguish the fire, evacuate the inmate from his cell, remediate the smoke from the cell or call a fire emergency over the radio, they willfully disregarded the substantial risk of serious harm to the inmate by leaving him in his locked cell for several hours while he slowly died from smoke inhalation, according to the indictment.

Roberson was also acquitted of a charge of falsifying a logbook to cover up misconduct.

Inmate deaths aren’t unheard of at the prison. Among the deaths there:

Mrs. Amy Elizabeth Black, age 56 of Evans, Georgia passed away on May 29, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

A native of Augusta, Georgia, Mrs. Black was born on January 8, 1970, the daughter of Cynthia Bridges Cason and the late Charles Franklin Cason. She had lived all her life in the Martinez and Evans communities and attended and graduated from Evans High School in 1988. Amy went on to pursue her degree of Education Specialist from Augusta State University. Amy was employed with the Columbia County Board of Education for 22 years as a middle school teacher. One of her favorite childhood memories was playing little league softball where she played the position of catcher.  She was married to Billy Richard Black, Jr. for 27 years and just celebrated being together for 31 years. Mrs. Black attended the Wesley United Methodist Church where she enjoyed participating in the VBS programs. She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law Mr. Billy Richard Black, Sr.

Survivors include her beloved husband, Mr. Billy Richard Black, Jr. Her son, Reagan Hugh Black; her brother, Charles F. Cason, Jr. and his wife, Katie; her sister, Lisa Ann Cason-Greene and her husband, David; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Brenda Black; her sisters-in-law, Lisa Fehrenbach and her husband Ken, and Shannon Koch and her husband Thomas; a number of nieces and nephews along with one great nephew. Amy always kept her beloved pets in fond memories they being “Kerchal”, “Grisby”, “Bear” and “Sandy”.

Funeral services for Mrs. Black will be conducted on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at Wesley United Methodist Church 825 N. Belair Rd Evans, Ga 30809, with Rev. Greg Porterfield officiating. Interment will follow in the Bellevue Memorial Gardens 4501 Wrightboro Road, Grovetown, GA 30813.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12 p.m. until the service hour at the church.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers and are requested to meet at the church on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and they include; Cason Greene, Christian Greene, Wyatt Cason, Wheeler Cason, Walker Cason, David Campbell and Barrett Albert.

Arrangements are being provided by Platt’s Funeral Home, 337 N. Belair Road, Evans, GA 30809 (706) 860-6166. Please take a moment to share your condolences by signing the online guestbook at plattsfuneralhome.com. 

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An Augusta arts school is offering young musicians a chance to learn instruments through a summer workshop.

The Young Winds Workshop at MelodiousOne Educational Institute entered its second day this week. Students are learning to play instruments including the French horn.

“When you learn something new, you want to keep getting to it and keep doing it and it’s so much fun,” said Isla Asmann, a workshop participant.

Workshop structure

Day one focused on music theory, including lines and spaces and whole and half notes. Day two marked the first time students handled instruments.

“Today was their first time putting instrument in hand so they have the opportunity to assemble, dissemble, learn to play their first sound and first full note,” said Shea Burns, founder of MelodiousOne Educational Institute.

Asmann chose the French horn, citing its rarity and potential benefits.

“There’s only a few people that actually do it in the world so it makes good scholarships in college,” she said.

Quintan Willis, a student at MEI who returned as a helper this summer, plays clarinet and offered advice to participants.

“Starting out you will never be good at something, but if you try constantly you will actually succeed,” Willis said.

Burns said early music education affects brain development.

“The younger they are the more they can hold and as long as they can hold an instrument their brains will be way more available to them and accessible. A lot of open thought process comes through instrument playing,” Burns said.

Asmann said she sees a decline in musicians.

“There’s not as many musicians in the world as there use to be. Back then almost everyone played an instrument and since technology has been created it’s like they are listening on their phones and not playing as much,” she said.

The workshop was made possible through a grant. MelodiousOne Educational Institute completed its first year. A recital is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at MEI’s location off Aumond Road. Fall semester registration is available.