Walter Roches
Walter Roches, 32, lived with serious mental illness and had repeated contact with law enforcement in the months before his death. After he was brought back to the Santa Clara County Jail, officers used pepper spray, tear gas and less-lethal projectiles before opening his cell, according to the account given. He died in the jail about a week later. Santa Clara County assistant medical examiner Dr. Michelle Jorden attributed his death to untreated mental illness and sepsis from an untreated urinary tract infection, and said the force would have heightened and accelerated the process, while the FBI is investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). Santa Clara County assistant medical examiner Dr. Michelle Jorden attributed his death to untreated mental illness and sepsis from an untreated urinary tract infection, and said the force officers used before opening his cell heightened and accelerated the process.
Reported by: Santa Clara County assistant medical examiner Dr. Michelle Jorden (medical examiner or coroner).