Global Courant
Authorities say a man died of injuries after what a prison official called altercations and an escape attempt at the county jail
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A man who was hospitalized with serious injuries after what one official called “arguments and an escape attempt” at a New Mexico county jail has been taken from life and died, authorities said.
John Sanchez, 34, was pronounced dead Friday at the University of New Mexico hospital, Angelina Navarro, deputy sheriff of Bernalillo County, told the Albuquerque Journal. The sheriff’s office is investigating his death.
Navarro said Sanchez had been injured days earlier at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.
Prison spokeswoman Candace Hopkins told the newspaper that three prison officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into Sanchez’s injuries and death.
Sanchez had been arrested on June 8 after police said he was found behind the wheel of an SUV reported stolen, according to the Journal report, citing court documents.
A car theft charge was dismissed by prosecutors on June 9 due to “insufficient evidence”, and Sanchez was set to be released on Monday — the same day he was taken to hospital, the paper said.
