Martinez Jail Inmate Found Dead

MARTINEZ, CA — An inmate died Tuesday morning at the Contra Costa County jail in Martinez, sheriff's officials said. A deputy discovered the inmate unresponsive, hanging in a shower at about 7:43 a.m., according to a Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office statement.

Jail medical personnel were summoned to the scene and began CPR on the inmate, sheriff's officials said. An ambulance crew and fire department personnel also responded to the Court Street jail but could not revive the inmate, who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Late Tuesday, authorities publicly identified the deceased inmate as 52-year-old Antioch resident Phillip Jacobson. Jacobson was booked into jail on July 11, 2017, and his bail was set at $4.15 million.

The in-custody death protocol was initiated, which includes an investigation by officials with the sheriff's office and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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