California State Prison, Sacramento officials investigating inmate death as homicide

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the March 7 death of an incarcerated person at California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC) as a homicide. At 6:13 a.m., officers during a security check found Jake T. Kennedy in his cell with multiple stab wounds. Staff immediately restrained and removed Kennedy's cellmate, Tyler L. Yates. Life-saving measures were performed on Kennedy and 911 services were requested. Kennedy was transported to the institution's triage and treatment area, where he was pronounced deceased by a paramedic at 7:04 a.m. No staff or additional incarcerated people were injured. One improvised weapon was recovered at the scene. Yates remains in restricted housing pending investigation. Officials have limited population movement to facilitate the investigation being conducted by SAC Investigative Services Unit and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office. On Feb. 23, officers observed Yates and Kennedy attacking Jonathan D. Rude in the main exercise yard. Rude died as a result of the attack. CDCR officials were investigating the death as a homicide. Yates, 30, was received from San Diego County on Oct. 9, 2017, to serve eight years for first-degree burglary and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury as a second striker. On Feb. 2, 2024, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder as a second striker, an in-prison offense. Kennedy, 32, was most recently received from San Bernardino County on Feb. 6, 2020, to serve six years for carrying a concealed dirk or dagger as a second striker. On Jan. 9, 2023, he was sentenced to four years for assault by a prisoner with any means of force likely/great bodily injury as a second striker, an in-prison offense.