Tazewell County Sheriff to Release Non-Violent Inmates
An elderly Tazewell County Jail inmate, awaiting trial for murder, has died from Legionnaires' disease, prompting county officials to take preventative measures.
The inmate, 94-year-old James Pate, was charged with fatally stabbing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl, in Pekin. Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower said Pate's health started to deteriorate about a month ago, and he was put into hospice care when doctors said he was unlikely to recover.
The jail's internal water system tested positive for legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease, according to Sheriff Lower. As a result, county officials will release some "non-violent" inmates to reduce the jail's population.
Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley confirmed that James Pate died on October.
Sheriff Lower announced the measures to prevent further cases, including the release of non-violent inmates.
Author's summary: Tazewell County Jail inmate dies from Legionnaires' disease.