Family Of Dead Inmate Hold Vigil, Questioning Sheriff's Response

SAN JOSE, CA -- A family expressed frustration this evening outside the Santa Clara County main jail over the lack of information they've received from law enforcement about the death of one of their kin who died in the jail a week ago Sunday.

At a vigil and small demonstration Friday evening outside the jailhouse at 150 W. Hedding St. in San Jose, the family remembered 23-year-old Isai Lopez and told of their frustration. Sheriff's officials reported Lopez's death on Monday and said it was likely a suicide.

Dozens of family members who mourned Lopez today questioned the circumstances of his death and demanded more information. Nallely Escobedo, the oldest of Lopez's five siblings, said she was presenting a strong face for the family as they stood, arms wrapped around each other on the steps leading into the jail.
She said her mother had spoken to Lopez exactly one week ago on Oct. 12, and the family hadn't seen signs of a man who was suffering from depression or mental health issues, but one who wanted to build a new life
for himself.

"That's the reason he turned himself in," Escobedo said. "He wanted to do his time, pay for his crimes, get out." He had even told their mom he wanted to remove his tattoos, she said. Lopez had told his mom in a recent phone call that he had been beaten by officers and broken his nose, according to Escobedo, but sheriff's
spokesman Reginald Cooks denied the allegations and said there is no evidence of abuse.

Escobedo said the family learned of his passing on Monday through Lopez's defense lawyer, who contacted Lopez's girlfriend after finding out. Excobedo said the medical examiner's office came to her brother's house later on Monday.

"The turnaround time, if there was nothing wrong, nothing that was done wrong, why wasn't the turnaround a lot quicker?" she said, frustrated they learned of his death through a third party a day after.

Jail guards found Lopez unresponsive in his cell at 8:06 p.m. on Sunday and tried to administer life-saving procedures, but firefighters ultimately pronounced him dead at 8:21 p.m., according to sheriff's
officials. Surveillance is not allowed inside the cells due to privacy concerns, but Cooks said there is strong evidence from body worn-cameras and surveillance footage outside the cell that point to suicide as the likely
cause of his death. Because the office is still investigating his death, Cooks said the department can't release any information to the public, including his family.

Civil rights lawyer John Burris, who has represented several victims of police violence, including Oscar Grant and Anthony Nunez, said this weekend he has agreed to look into the circumstances and conditions surrounding Lopez's death. Silicon Valley De-Bug has also offered their support to the family.

The sheriff's office, the district attorney's office and the medical examiner's office are conducting a joint investigation into the death. Escobedo said she has had to jump through hoops for anything better than rumors, and hopes Burris will find answers.

"Even if my brother did commit suicide, as they say, then why are they making it so hard for us to figure this out?" Escobedo said. "Maybe it's not police brutality ... but I don't want another family to deal with this."

--Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock