LAKE COUNTY >> A report revealing the cause of death of the inmate who died at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility in May is still pending more than a month after his death.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Public Information Officer, Lt. Steve Brooks, stated Thursday afternoon that he had submitted a request for test results and was still waiting on a report from a civilian coroner that would reveal James Ellis Smith”s cause of death. A toxicology report, which is needed to determine cause of death, is still pending, he added.
Brooks stated that the agency handling testing, which provides similar services to several other counties, is “extremely backed-up.” He added that the agency stated “it could be a while” before the results are ready and that the agency was not able to provide a date for when the results will be available.
Smith was found not breathing and with no vital signs inside a housing unit at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility the morning of May 10, according to an LCSO press release. Medical staff at the jail performed CPR on him and the Lakeport Fire Protection District was contacted, but they could not revive him.
According to the LCSO press release, no foul play is suspected.
Smith was arrested on Jan. 3 after he allegedly rammed a police vehicle at the end of a high-speed chase before he was shot by an LCSO deputy. He later recovered from his gunshot wounds and was turned over to the custody of the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where he awaited court proceedings.
The incident began that morning at about 4 a.m. when Lakeport Police Department officers responded to a burglary alarm at Hillside Honda in Lakeport that Smith was suspected of being involved with.
The Lake County District Attorney”s Office deemed the shooting justified in late May.
Contact Isaac Brambila at 900-2020.
