SAN QUENTIN – Condemned inmate Pedro Arias, 58, was pronounced deceased Aug. 9 at an outside hospital from what appears to be complications related to COVID-19. A coroner will determine the exact cause of his death.
Arias was sentenced to death in Sacramento County on Feb. 22, 1990, for first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree robbery while armed with a knife. He was also sentenced to 67 years to life for kidnapping for robbery with use of a handgun, kidnapping with use of a handgun, two counts of penetration with a foreign object with the use of a handgun, two counts of attempted sodomy with the use of a handgun, two counts of rape with use of a handgun, two counts of second-degree robbery and enhancements for the use of a firearm, and one count oral copulation with use of a handgun.
He was admitted onto death row on March 5, 1990.
There are currently 713 people on California’s death row. More information about capital punishment in California can be found here: https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/capital-punishment/
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Note: This release was updated to correct sentencing information.
Contact: CDCR Press Office, opec@cdcr.ca.gov