The Antelope Valley Times

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Suspect ID’d in homicide at State Prison in Lancaster

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LANCASTER – A 48-year-old inmate was found dead at the California State Prison in Lancaster last week, and a 36-year-old inmate serving time for rape has been named as the suspected killer, authorities said.

Inmate Victor Earl Jones was found unresponsive in a housing unit dayroom floor on Friday, May 31, and he was pronounced dead at about 5:14 p.m., according to a press report by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Prison officials initially believed that Jones died of natural causes, but a subsequent investigation indicated that Jones was the victim of a battery, the press report states.

Sheriff’s homicide detectives on Friday responded to the prison, at 44750 60th Street West in Lancaster, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jones’ death, sheriff’s officials said.

Prison officials have now named inmate Andre Rutledge as a suspect in the case.  Rutledge, 36, was received from Alameda County for rape, with an estimated parole release date of September 2020.

Rutledge has been placed in the Administrative Segregation Unit at the institution, pending completion of the investigation, according to the CDCR press report.

Jones was received by CDCR on February 28, 1997, from Riverside County. He was serving 30 years to life for first-degree robbery.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

11 comments for "Suspect ID’d in homicide at State Prison in Lancaster"

  1. R.I.P. Unlike the thief on the cross, the man was suppose to serve 30 years for robbery, not be put to death. Horrible shame. Wonder if he was sorry for his crime. Wonder if his Maker forgave him.

    We become responsible when we lock someone up, but we must not keep prisoners in the torture of solitary confinement. Hopefully, the many incidents such as this will prompt research and ideas for prison changes.

    We need to reach “at risk” kids early. The school-to-prison pipeline ruins lives of those committing crimes and of their victims, and cost us too many tax dollars.

    • ya our prison system is a joke but I guess its the best we can do – If you throw people in with a bunch of animals then they become an animal themselves.

    • 30 years to Life for Robbery? damn I have seen 1st degree murders and baby killers get less time for killing people then this…wow what a justice system, just stupid!

    • Sounds like they were in general pop. Robbery doesn’t require PC, nor does rape. Child rapists get pc’ed.
      He is in the shu now though…

      I’m sure there is more to the story. A deal gone bad or he did something foul…..

      • My understanding is Cal State LA County is all a PC Unit now (except min security section). You don’t have to have a charge that is a PC charge to be in PC. You just have to be a Gang Drop Out or a Rat and they will put you in PC!