LAKEPORT — A Clearlake man awaiting arraignment died early Monday morning, according to a press release from the Lake County Sheriff”s Office.
The body of Jimmy Ray Hatfield, 38, was discovered around 6 a.m. during a formal count in one of the maximum security units at Lake County Jail.
According to Sheriff Captain James Bauman, Hatfield was observed acting normally in his cell about 40 minutes prior, during an hourly cell check. Around 6 a.m. when the formal count was conducted, Captain Bauman said custody staff observed a cell with a blanket draped from the upper bunk concealing the cell”s sole- occupant, who was Hatfield.
Captain Bauman said the housing officer directed Hatfield to show himself for the count. When Hatfield failed to respond, the officer entered the cell and discovered the inmate behind the blanket unconscious and suspended by a ligature made of a bed sheet from the upper bunk.
According to Captain Bauman, additional officers and jail medical staff immediately responded for assistance while rescue personnel from Lakeport Fire Department were dispatched to the jail. “While Lakeport Fire personnel were en route, custody staff quickly released Hatfield from the upper bunk and commenced with life-saving efforts,” he said. “Rescue personnel arrived and took over attempts to save Hatfield while transporting him to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, but shortly after his arrival at the emergency room, he was declared deceased.”
Sheriff”s detectives were dispatched to the jail to process the scene and pursuant to department policy, Lake County District Attorney”s Office was also called in to conduct an independent investigation of the death, Captain Bauman said.
Hatfield was booked into Lake County Jail Saturday evening by Clearlake Police Department following an incident in Clearlake. He was awaiting arraignment on felony charges of threatening a peace officer, resisting arrest, battery on a peace officer and two other related misdemeanor charges.
He was being held on $50,000 bail. The manner and cause of Hatfield”s death is pending further investigation and autopsy results.
