BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The death of an inmate at the state prison in Tehachapi in April has led to a first-degree murder charge against his cellmate.
Court records show that Demetrius Cole, 38, was arraigned last month in connection with the death of Parrish Duren, 38, and is scheduled to return to court in February. Both men were housed together at the California Correctional Institution.
On the morning of April 5, Cole told prison staff that he felt “distressed,” according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Officers entered the cell and found Duren unresponsive with visible injuries, CDCR said. Staff transported him to the prison’s triage area, where life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.
Duren was serving a 16-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter from San Bernardino County and had been incarcerated since 2014.
Cole is serving a 31-year sentence for attempted second-degree murder and first-degree burglary out of Los Angeles County. CDCR records show he is currently being held at Corcoran State Prison.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Leave a Reply