The Antelope Valley Times

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Inmate killed in Lancaster prison

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LANCASTER – A repeat felon serving a 20-year sentence was allegedly killed by his cell mate at the state prison in Lancaster, authorities said.

Robert Allen Garten Jr., 50, was fatally injured Friday, Nov. 9, at California State Prison – Los Angeles County, located at 44750 60th Street West, according to Lt. Richard Ochoa of the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation. A possible motive for the killing was not disclosed.

Ochoa said guards conducting block checks about 8:45 p.m. found Garten “unresponsive in his cell” and immediately alerted medical staff, who had the unconscious, gravely injured inmate taken to a hospital. Garten died less than an hour later.

Garten’s cell mate, 32-year-old Stephen Anthony Marrufo, was identified as a suspect and placed in a segregation unit while an investigation is conducted by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, according to Ochoa.

Garten’s remains are awaiting autopsy.

Ochoa said Marrufo had bruises on a foot and one of his hands, as well as red blotches on the back of his neck.

Marrufo is serving a life-with-parole sentence for first-degree murder. He was incarcerated on Nov. 6, 2015. He had served time in prison before that conviction.

Garten was incarcerated on April 21, 2015. According to court records, he pleaded guilty to solicitation to commit murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

 

 

16 comments for "Inmate killed in Lancaster prison"

  1. I dont know the victim but unfortunately new the murderer and he most definately isnt worth the skin he lives in! He murdered his wife in front of their 23month old baby girl his wife was my neice Tara Murrufo she was only 25yrs old and loved this man with all she was and was the only person that ever believed in him.and he stabbed her 46xs while she was taking her baby out of her carseat then he left her in the street to die alone. This has been the worst thing go happen in my life as well as my families not because she was a daughter a mother my neice a grandaughter BUT BECAUSE SHE WAS A PERSON! this man is a devil worshiper he is pure evil and i pray he meets his match someday.

  2. I’m very positive that the day you or a loved one ends up in the slammer for a petty reason, you’ll be singing a different tune.

    • Very true Alby. People have forgotten empathy, compassion and walking a mile in others shoes.

      Peace, J

      • I never said those were petty crimes. But alot of people are in jail for petty stuff. But not you because you’re probably part of the law abiding fascist Christian “baton polishing” circle, right? You guys can get away with rape and murder.

  3. You commit a crime, break a law, go to jail.
    The reality is this can happen, you can go to jail and be murdered. My advice, do not break laws, do not go to jail. I have zero compassion for criminals, it is no one’s fault but the grown adult MAN who committed crimes that cost him his life. Straight to hell. Sounds like justice.

  5. Wow.

    It’s amazing how insensitive people can be when it comes to the value of human lives. Well, it was bound to happen when commenters are uneducated and uninformed.

    These simpletons think they’re posting something smart and quirky, but instead they’re displaying their ignorant and thick headed stance for all to see. These desensitized, compassionless people spew the same fodder from their mouths and are quick to pass judgment on any prisoner, without knowledge of their circumstances. Ever seen Con Air? I bet you felt sorry for Nicholas Cage’s character, huh?

    These same type of uninformed, uneducated people often group all prisoners together. You know, since prisoners with drug charges and prisoners with murder charges should be treated EXACTLY the same, right? WRONG! Go find some compassion and rethink your position.

    To all the people affected by this tragedy, I am so sorry that this occurred. Praying for peace and swift justice as you grieve your loss.

  7. Liability lays with the jail officials. They should house violent offenders in single cells to protect others. It’s cruel an unusual punishment to house someone will a violent offender.

    • Oh for Pete sake…they were both losers…one committed a murder and one wanted someone else murdered….
      They both got/ will get..what they deserved!
      Not the friggen prisons fault, shi* happens….these were no church going choir boys! Serrated violent felons….yeah Right!

    • Oh for Pete sake…they were both losers…one committed a murder and one wanted someone else murdered….
      They both got/ will get..what they deserved!
      Not the friggen prisons fault, shi* happens….these were no church going choir boys! Segregate violent felons….yeah Right!

    • Oh…right…. liability falls on the officials, not the person that committed the crime. Everything is always somebody else’s fault.

      Even though the victim was guilty of solicitation of murder and assault with a deadly weapon I am sure he was a great guy, just misunderstood. If the state had just bought the guy a condo at the beach I am sure he would have turned his life around.