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Coroner: In-Custody Death Determined to be Homicide

Police Say Suspect Threatened To Kill Them

POSTED: 11:12 am PDT June 25, 2009
UPDATED: 7:12 pm PDT June 25, 2009

A man who died while in the custody of Bakersfield Police officers died as a result of homicide, according to the Kern Count Coroner. Rodolfo Lepe, 31, became unresponsive while being taken into custody Jan. 11 on Maize Street in Bakersfield and died as a result of "asphyxia and blunt force injuries during restraint", according to a coroner's press release.

Bakersfield Police say Lepe repeatedly fought back while officers attempted to restrain him, at one point threatening to kill them and yelling, "You don't exist." A complete copy of a Bakersfield Police press release concerning the incident can be read below.

All of the police investigative reports will be reviewed by a department Incident Review Board. Those reports will also be given to the Kern County District Attorney for an independent review to determine if any charges will be filed against the officers.

The officers involved were Brian Holcombe, David Brooks, Jess Beagley, Raelynn Aguayo, Gilbert Rodriguez, and Adam Ketchum.

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  • January 12, 2009: Man Dies While In Custody
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