Inmate Died Of Blunt Force Trauma; Accused Deputies Remain Jailed

An inmate died of blunt force trauma allegedly caused by three correctional deputies at the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose last week.

The inmate was identified as 31-year-old Michael James Tyree, who was allegedly killed by deputies Rafael Rodriguez, Jereh Lubrin and Matthew Farris, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said. “The disappointment and disgust that I feel cannot be overstated,” Smith said during a news conference today at the sheriff’s headquarters in San Jose.

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• 3 Deputies Arrested For Murder in Jail Death
• Inmate Found Dead At Santa Clara Co. Jail

A coroner’s report by Dr. Joseph O’Hara, the county’s chief medical examiner, stated that Tyree died of multiple blunt force injuries including abrasions, contusions and lacerations. “He bled to death internally,” O’Hara said.

The trio of deputies was arrested today on suspicion of murder, conspiracy and assault under the color of authority, Smith said. They are being held without bail and are scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, according to jail records.

Farris and Rodriguez were arrested around 5:30 a.m. and Lubrin surrendered with his attorney around 7:30 a.m., Smith said. Each suspect declined to give a statement to detectives, were placed under protective custody and transported to jail outside Santa Clara County.

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Alameda County jail records show the suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

The three men “committed this cowardly and heinous act against an unarmed individual they were entrusted to protect,” Smith said.

Tyree was being held on suspicion of misdemeanor theft and drug possession in a single-person cell on the sixth floor of the jail in a wing held for inmates in protective custody or with special needs, she said.

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On the night of Aug. 26, the three deputies were the only employees in the wing conducting a routine search of inmates who were secured in their cells and exited about 20 minutes later, according to Smith. No one else entered the wing until Lubrin returned about an hour later, around 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 27, and issued a man down call on his radio, Smith said.

Tyree’s naked body was on the ground of his cell covered in feces and vomit, according to Smith. Rodriguez then entered the wing and assisted Lubrin in dragging the body out of the cell to administer CPR, which proved to be unsuccessful, Smith said.

Medical staff and emergency crews continue to perform life-saving efforts on Tyree, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Smith.

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Later on Aug. 27, investigators determined Tyree’s death was suspicious based on the collected evidence and resulted from foul play, Smith said. The three deputies were placed on unpaid administrative leave and removed of their badges, equipment, peace officer status and were banned from sheriff’s office facilities, she said.

Last Friday, O’Hara’s report led the investigators to classify the case as a homicide and the following day search warrants were served at the homes of each suspect.

--Bay City News; Images of Booking Photos