BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) - A 300-pound capital murder defendant who complained he wasn't being fed enough in the Benton County Jail was allegedly caught giving away a bologna and mustard sandwich.

Jailers watched last Thursday as 19-year-old Broderick Laswell of Farmington wrapped the sandwich in toilet paper and attempt to slide it under a cell door. Laswell denies the accusation.

Last month Laswell filed a federal lawsuit, claiming his weight went from 413 pounds to 308 pounds since his arrest and that he was "being starved to death." Laswell and another man are charged
with the slaying of Randy Walke of Garfield, who was beaten and
stabbed to death before his house trailer was set aflame on August
30th.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for both defendants.

The jailers say Laswell wrapped the sandwich in toilet paper and tried to slide it under a cell door. A jailer used the intercom to
ask Laswell to bring the sandwich to him. Laswell immediately began
to eat the sandwich.

Laswell told jailers he was giving away his sandwich but was going to receive another one later. A short time later, Laswell told deputies he was walking around the pod eating the sandwich. He also claimed he was never told by deputies to not trade food, though the report said inmates are not allowed to trade food.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)