California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at California State Prison, Sacramento (SAC) as a homicide.
On Thursday, July 6, at 9:23 a.m., two incarcerated people, Juan Martinez and Ray Martinez, allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Michael Torres at the Folsom facility.
Torres sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to an outside medical facility while life-saving measures were performed. He was pronounced deceased at 10:30 a.m.. No staff or additional incarcerated people were injured.
Both suspects have been moved to Restricted Housing pending investigation into this case. Officials have limited population movement on the yard to facilitate the investigation. The Office of the Inspector General was notified and the Sacramento County Coroner will determine Torres’ official cause of death.
Torres, 59, was admitted from Los Angeles County on Dec. 14, 2007, to serve 133 years to life with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by an ex-felon, criminal threat to cause great bodily injury or death, and attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness, all as a third-striker. He received enhancements for street gang activity in commission of a serious felony.
Ray Martinez, 49, was admitted from Los Angeles County on April 22, 1996, to serve life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and second-degree robbery, with enhancements for use of a firearm. While incarcerated, on June 11, 2021, he was sentenced to another 22 years for assault by a prisoner with a weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury and possession or manufacturing of a weapon by a prisoner as a second-striker. He also received an enhancement for having a prior felony conviction.
Juan Martinez, 47, was admitted from Los Angeles County on Oct. 27, 1993, to serve life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder. While incarcerated, on April 7, 1997, Martinez was sentenced to another four years for possession or manufacturing of a deadly weapon by a prisoner. Also while incarcerated, on Aug. 30, 2001, Martinez was sentenced to another 27 years, 4 months for attempted second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer or fireman, both as a second-striker. He also received an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.
Activated in 1986, CSP-SAC is a high-security prison in Folsom. The institution houses those serving long-term sentences, those requiring specialized mental health programming, and incarcerated people with high-risk medical concerns. The institution also provides work, career technical education, academic, self-help, art, religious and other rehabilitative programs.
