California death row inmate killed in alleged beatdown by more than 30 fellow prisoners
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are currently investigating a tragic incident that occurred at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano. The incident involved the death of a death row inmate, Julian Mendez, who was allegedly attacked by another inmate, Mario Renteria.
According to reports, the altercation began when Renteria, a convicted murderer, started beating Mendez around 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Despite orders from prison staff to stop, the violence continued, prompting the use of chemical agents to intervene. However, the situation escalated when more than 30 inmates joined in the attack on Renteria.
As a result of the violence, Mendez sustained multiple injuries and despite immediate life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead by a doctor at the prison’s triage and treatment area at 11:05 a.m. The incident also led to the discovery of an improvised weapon at the scene.
Renteria, who allegedly initiated the attack, has been placed in restricted housing pending the outcome of the investigation. In response to the incident, prison officials have limited population movement to facilitate the investigation by the prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
The Office of the Inspector General has also been notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine the official cause of Mendez’s death. Mendez was received at the prison in 2004, having been sentenced to death for the first-degree murder of two teenagers. On the other hand, Renteria, who arrived at the facility in April 2022, was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and arson.
Kern Valley State Prison, which opened in 2005, houses over 3,100 inmates with varying levels of custody. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by correctional facilities in managing and preventing violent encounters among inmates.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and CDCR officials are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals within the prison system. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of both Mendez and Renteria during this difficult time.
