Released: November 14, 2012 - Wednesday, 04:03 PM
Inmate Death
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 11-12-12, Approximately 4:05 PMPlace of Occurrence: San Luis Obispo County JailVictim Information: Joseph Morillo, 43, TransientSuspect Information: N/AOn 11-12-12, an inmate at the San Luis Obispo County Jail was found unconscious in a safety cell designed to hold inmates who demonstrate the intent to cause harm to themselves or others. While the inmate was housed in the safety cell, correctional staff performed regular checks twice every 30 minutes to ensure the health and welfare of the inmate. During one of these checks, Correctional Deputies and medical staff determined that the man was not breathing and was without a pulse. Deputies and medical staff administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and used an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) in an effort to revive the inmate while paramedics were responding. The efforts of the Correctional Deputies and medical staff were unsuccessful in reviving the inmate and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:33 P.M. The inmate is identified as Joseph Morillo, a 43-year-old transient with a prior medical history. Morillo was booked into County Jail on 9-30-12, by the Paso Robles Police Department and was being held on a felony charge of making terrorist threats, a violation of PC 422. He was scheduled to appear in court again on November 29, 2012. There was no immediate cause of death. The Coroner is investigating Morillo’s death and an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause. The family's next of kin has been notified. No further information is available at this time.
