SAN QUENTIN – Richard E. Stitely, who had been on California’s death row since 1992, died on June 24 at San Quentin State Prison. He was 71 years old.
Stitely was found unresponsive in his single cell on June 24 at 8:38 p.m. Medical assistance was rendered and an ambulance was summoned. Stitely was pronounced deceased at 9:06 p.m. There were no signs of trauma; his cause of death and COVID-19 status will be determined by the Marin County Coroner.
Stitely was sentenced to death in Los Angeles County on Sept. 14, 1992, for the rape and murder of Carol Unger, 47, who on Jan. 19, 1990, was last seen leaving the White Oak Bar in Reseda, CA, with Stitely. The next day her body was found in a parking lot of a North Hollywood industrial complex. Stitely was admitted onto death row on Sept. 23, 1992.
There are currently 725 people on California’s death row. More information about capital punishment in California can be found here: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/capital-punishment/
Contact: Lt. Samuel Robinson, samuel.robinson2@cdcr.ca.gov
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