Prison inmate stabbed in Sykesville

A state prison inmate was in fair condition at a Baltimore hospital yesterday after being stabbed at the Central Laundry Facility at Springfield Hospital Center in Sykesville, state police said.

Charles A. Royster, 29, was found with two knife wounds about 8: 15 a.m. in a bathroom, police said. He was taken by state police MedEvac helicopter to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he was evaluated and transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital, a spokeswoman at the trauma center said.

Royster's condition was stable, a hospital spokeswoman said yesterday evening.

Investigators know of no motive or suspect, Detective Sgt. Bruce Smith of the Westminster barracks said.

A knife found near the crime scene appears to be the one used to stab Royster, Smith said.

Additional information about the victim was not available, but inmates placed at the Sykesville facility usually are in a prerelease program, Smith said.

Pub Date: 4/21/98