Guard proclaims innocence in death of California prison inmate

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/06/guard-innocence-death-california-prison-inmate

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One of three California jail guards arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of an inmate has proclaimed his innocence, saying he never touched the 31-year-old man.

Rafael Rodriguez told the San Jose Mercury News that the guard uniform he wore on the night authorities say he and two other officers entered inmate Michael Tyree’s cell was clean, showing no signs that he made contact with the inmate.

Medical examiner Dr Joseph O’Hara said Tyree, 31, died of multiple blunt force injuries, visceral lacerations and internal bleeding.

Rodriguez, 27, said the Santa Clara County sheriff’s investigation was relying on hearsay from inmates and making things up.

Rodriguez said his arrest on Thursday, on suspicion of murder in the death of Tyree, was the first time he had been on the other side of the law.

Two other officers, Jereh Lubrin, 28, and Matthew Farris, 27, were also arrested and placed in protective custody in Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail.

Santa Clara County’s sheriff, Laurie Smith, her voice breaking and eyes tearing up, apologised on Thursday to Tyree’s family and said “the disappointment and disgust I feel cannot be overstated”.

She was flanked by 18 uniformed officers, and at least another dozen members of her agency in plain clothes attended a news conference. Smith referred to the three officers as “accused murderers”.