sherri13
07-15-2002, 07:54 AM
Inmate, 92, Kills Self After Release
.c The Associated Press
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) - An ailing, 92-year-old man who had pleaded to be
allowed to stay in jail jumped to his death from a bridge less than two weeks
after he was released.
The body of Coval Russell was found Wednesday under a 40-foot bridge over the
Feather River. Officials believe he may have been California's oldest county
jail inmate.
Russell had served 14 months while waiting for sentencing on an assault
charge for stabbing his landlord. He was put on three years' probation and
released from the Butte County Jail on June 26.
A judge had denied his request to stay in jail, saying that it was not an
appropriate place for a man of Russell's age and health.
``He was in constant pain, and he was running out of living options,'' said
Jim Pihl, a private investigator who talked to Russell by phone on Tuesday.
The World War II veteran had received four types of medication in jail, was
blind in one eye, suffered from prostate cancer and could barely walk several
feet unassisted, Pihl said.
``I know he felt like he didn't have any other place to go,'' Pihl said.
.c The Associated Press
OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) - An ailing, 92-year-old man who had pleaded to be
allowed to stay in jail jumped to his death from a bridge less than two weeks
after he was released.
The body of Coval Russell was found Wednesday under a 40-foot bridge over the
Feather River. Officials believe he may have been California's oldest county
jail inmate.
Russell had served 14 months while waiting for sentencing on an assault
charge for stabbing his landlord. He was put on three years' probation and
released from the Butte County Jail on June 26.
A judge had denied his request to stay in jail, saying that it was not an
appropriate place for a man of Russell's age and health.
``He was in constant pain, and he was running out of living options,'' said
Jim Pihl, a private investigator who talked to Russell by phone on Tuesday.
The World War II veteran had received four types of medication in jail, was
blind in one eye, suffered from prostate cancer and could barely walk several
feet unassisted, Pihl said.
``I know he felt like he didn't have any other place to go,'' Pihl said.