Brandon Yates
Brandon Yates, 24, was a man who was always concerned about the well-being of others, according to his parents, who said he had worked hard to get sober and had apprenticed to become a commercial fisherman. He died on January 16, 2024, while held at San Diego Central Jail. His family's federal lawsuit against San Diego County and Sheriff Kelly Martinez says a cellmate beat, strangled and smothered him, that he pressed the emergency intercom several times, and that deputies ignored his calls for help for nearly an hour. The lawsuit also alleges that deputies were warned before he was moved into the cell with that cellmate, and that the county placed him with someone known to be dangerous. The sheriff's office and county declined to comment, citing the pending litigation, and a cellmate is awaiting trial in his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). A cellmate killed him, according to his parents' lawsuit, which says deputies ignored his calls for help for nearly an hour and placed him with a cellmate known to be dangerous.
Reported by: his parents' lawsuit against San Diego County and Sheriff Kelly Martinez (family or their lawyers); testimony at a preliminary hearing.
Lawsuit: His parents sued San Diego County and Sheriff Kelly Martinez over his death at San Diego Central Jail, and a federal judge refused to dismiss the case, with no amount reported.
News reports (5)
- After record $15 million settlement, San Diego County still confronts a slew of other jail-death lawsuits - San Diego Union-Tribune
- Family blames San Diego County jail for son's death by torture
- For more than an hour, he called for help as he was tortured to death in a California jail. ‘No one came,’ his family says.
- Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit over man’s torture and killing in San Diego County jail - San Diego Union-Tribune
- 100-MPH Pursuit; Inmate Found Dead; SWAT Standoff; Violent Assault: Santee, San Diego County Crime Log