Inmate Jesus Lopez has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison by Judge Deborah Lobre. The sentence follows Lopez's decision to withdraw his not guilty by reason of insanity plea and plead guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his cellmate, Jose Garcia, at California State Prison Sacramento. Deputy District Attorney Sterling Wilkins stated that Lopez also admitted to a prior strike conviction for voluntary manslaughter in 2003, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.
On February 24, 2020, while already in prison for voluntary manslaughter, Lopez attacked his cellmate Garcia. Garcia was asleep when Lopez began strangling him. After briefly stopping and walking around the cell, Lopez continued the attack. He waited for a correctional officer to finish their routine check before carrying out the assault to avoid being interrupted, as stated by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.
Lopez told a correctional officer he thought he had killed his cellmate. Staff tried to revive the victim, Garcia, but he was pronounced dead. An autopsy found the cause of death was asphyxia by neck compression. In interviews, Lopez said he "just flipped out" and also claimed voices told him Garcia was a threat. Two psychiatrists determined he was legally sane at the time. He later withdrew his insanity plea and was convicted of second-degree murder. Investigators said Lopez waited until officers were not nearby before acting, as reported by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.
