On September 19, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office revealed their intent to charge Patrick Ferncase with one count of 187(a) PC – Murder for the death of Derek Baker in San Diego Central Jail. According to the San Diego Sheriff's Department's update on the homicide investigation, the Medical Examiner's Office has completed the autopsy of Baker and confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force head trauma, and the manner of death was homicide.
Derek Baker, aged 56, was arrested on January 17, 2022, and housed in the San Diego Central Jail for a misdemeanor warrant 166(c)(1) PC – violation of a restraining order, and later on February 3rd, 2022, faced additional charges of 290.018(b) PC – Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. On March 4, 2022, Baker found himself sharing a cell with 28-year-old Patrick Ferncase, who was previously arrested on several charges, including attempted murder and elder abuse causing injury or death, as reported in a previous San Diego Sheriff's Department news release.
On March 12, 2022, deputies were alerted to Baker's grave injuries following an assault in the cell, with Ferncase identified as the one responsible for inflicting harm on Baker. Medical treatment was administered, and Baker was transported to a local hospital. However, ten days later, the San Diego District Attorney's Office dismissed Baker's charges of 290.018(b) PC, leading to his release from custody.
Tragically, Baker's battle for survival came to an end on March 29, 2022, as he succumbed to his injuries. The Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board was notified, but they did not respond to the incident. Homicide detectives are now working closely with the District Attorney's office to ensure that the appropriate charges are filed against Patrick Ferncase for this gruesome crime.
