On October 27, 2025, immediately prior to jury selection, Shaquille Gibson, age 31, entered a nolo contendere plea before the Honorable Christylee L. Peck to Criminal Homicide – Murder of the First Degree. Gibson was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The conviction stems from the July 1, 2024, beating death of Bernard Grover, Gibson’s cellmate at SCI Camp Hill. The investigation revealed that Gibson brutally beat his cell mate to death by striking him 8-10 times with a closed fist in head. He then switched to kicking or stomping the victim’s head an additional 8-10 times while wearing his state prison issued boots. Dr. Wayne Ross, an expert is forensic pathology, opined, after autopsy, that the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries including multiple fractures to the victim’s face and significant contusions and hemorrhages in the victim’s brain.

During the sentencing proceedings, Grover’s siblings spoke about how important Grover was to their family and the huge impact his death has had on their lives. They described the victim as someone who was looking forward to his next chapter and planning to spend time with his nieces and nephews.

This case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hair LaRue and Assistant District Attorney Richard “Zeke” Berner. Charge were filed by Trooper Amy Kocher-Fry of the Pennsylvania State Police in Carlisle. The District Attorney’s Office is grateful for the efforts of Trooper Kocher-Fry and members of the Pennsylvania State Police Carlisle’s Criminal Investigation Unity. Special thanks to Director of Victim Services Adrianne Vaughn for her work with the victim’s family.