Inmate can’t attend Des Moines funeral of brother

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials have told the family of a slain Des Moines man that his brother won’t be allowed to leave prison to attend the services.

Thirty-two-year-old Marion Harris was fatally shot Sunday.

Family members say prison officials first said Marion’s brother, John Harris, would be taken from the Fort Dodge prison to Des Moines for the memorial next Tuesday. John Harris is serving a life sentence for murder.

The family says officials then said John Harris wouldn’t be allowed to attend, citing concerns that gang-related violence that might erupt at the service could pose a threat to prison officers with Harris.

The men’s mother, Joyce Webster, told The Des Moines Register that her relatives feel “like somebody died all over again.”

Prison officials declined to comment to the newspaper.