Coroner's report: No foul play in death of Santa Clara Co. inmate

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Santa Clara County's coroner released the autopsy report on the inmate who died in the county jail Monday. This was the second inmate to die in custody in the past month.

Two days after 33-year-old Walter Roches of San Jose died at the county jail, the coroner's office says there were no foul play and no sign of acute injury. In other words, there were no signs of a beating. The official cause of death is yet to be determined because it awaits a full toxicology report that will take another week or two. However, chemical agents and force were used against Roches while in jail.

They followed procedures, according to top brass at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office. When Roches wouldn't leave his cell, even after an hour-and-a-half of coaxing, they did a so-called cell extraction. They used pepper spray. Then an even stronger substance that smells like a stink bomb. Finally, he was shot with plastic projectiles.

"That had no effect. He wouldn't come out of his cell. It was unsuccessful. They waited, but he would not comply," Santa Clara County Undersheriff John Hirokawa said.

When those steps failed, they used physical force to remove him.

Sheriff Laurie Smith says the entire procedure was videoed, but there has been no response to our request to see that video.

You probably recall the incident three years ago when a UC Davis campus officer used pepper spray on student protesters within close range.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina and Duke University says chemicals in pepper spray can pose health risks. The report states, "Inhalation of high doses of some of these chemicals can produce adverse cardiac, respiratory and neurologic effects, including arrhythmias and sudden death."

Roches, who was arrested on Sept. 20 on suspicion of public intoxication and assault, died on the eighth floor where mentally ill inmates are housed. On Monday morning he was found dead in his cell. Deputies, firefighters and paramedics did first aid and CPR on Roches, but were unable to revive him.

The county health agency coordinates mental health care at the jail and at homeless shelters, but no one was willing to speak to us about policies and procedures.

"In our county, we just don't have enough services for these people. We don't have enough shelter beds. We don't have enough mental health services," Claire Wagner from HomeFirst said.

Inmate Michael Tyree, who was beaten to death last month at the jail, was waiting for a bed in a mental health facility.

The medical examiner said Tyree died of blunt force trauma and internal bleeding. Three correctional deputies were arrested and charged with murder.

Click here for more on our coverage of the three deputies arrested and the death of Michael Tyree.