Inmate at California State Prison Killed in Attack

Nathan Marcus, 33, was killed Saturday at the California State Prison in Sacramento recreation yard on Saturday afternoon.

Tyler Yates, 27, and Gregory Roach, 33, appeared to start the attack at about 2:12 p.m. and are now under investigation for homicide. Despite life saving measures, Marcus was pronounced dead at 2:38 p.m.

Staff at the prison used chemical agents to disperse those participating in the brawl. State regulations allow for use of chemical agents to disperse crowds if staff were to see fit, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Marcus was serving two consecutive sentences for crimes including evading a police officer and possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner. Yates was sentenced in San Diego County in 2017 for burglary and assault with force with Roach. Roach was sentenced in 2019 in San Diego County for assault with force.

Yates and Roach have been moved to a segregated unit within the prison. The prison in Sacramento houses more than 1,750 inmates.