SUSANVILLE – High Desert State Prison (HDSP) officials began an investigation last month of an incident in which an inmate attacked his cellmate. The inmate victim passed away yesterday; the case is now a homicide investigation.
Inmate Martin Hall, 54, was attacked by his cellmate, Donald Wilson, 51, on August 31 in the cell they shared. Inmate Hall was taken to a medical facility in the community for treatment; however, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 2:50 p.m. on September 21, 2016.
Hall was received from Los Angeles County on May 31, 2000, and was serving a sentence of life with the possibility of parole for second-degree robbery, his third strike.
Wilson, the suspect in the attack, was received from Solano County on April 8, 2003, and is serving a 22-year sentence for driving under the influence causing bodily injury or death, his second strike.
In addition to HDSP’s investigation, the Lassen County Sherriff and the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office are also investigating. The Office of the Inspector General was notified.
High Desert State Prison, located in Lassen County, opened in 1995 and houses 3,782 minimum-, medium-, and maximum-custody inmates. The institution provides academic classes and vocational instruction and employs more than 1,200 people.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2016
CONTACT: Lt. Gregory Crowe
(530) 251-5100, ext. 5501
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