Inmate strangled in cell had told judge he felt unsafe

On March 1, Jonathan Najera, a 20-year-old Latino, was found strangled in his cell at Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, where he was being held on charges of attempted murder. By the time his body was discovered, he had been dead for hours.

Najera's killing came weeks after he told a judge that he was concerned about his safety. In a court hearing in Najera's case, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Daniel Feldstern said Najera had been "somewhat hassled by other inmates in his current custodial setting. So I would just simply ask the Sheriff's [Department] to reexamine his circumstances and consider putting him in a place where he can avoid that kind of contact."

Times' reporter Robert Faturechi was told by sheriff's officials that they have no record of the judge's request.

Read his full report: Inmate killed weeks after judge asked that sheriff's officials review his safety