Tyrone Snell, 36

Aug. 24, 2010, 2:57 p.m.

Tyrone Snell, a 36-year-old black man, was killed Saturday, Aug. 21, at Men's Central Jail in the 400 block of Bauchet Street in downtown L.A., according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

At the time of his death, Snell was incarcerated on a forgery charge, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. He had pleaded no contest and was sentenced Aug. 18 to 16 months in prison, with 40 days credit time.

Three days after his sentencing, Snell was in a cell with three other inmates when he was killed, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. The official cause of death was listed as asphyxiation and sharp, blunt-force trauma to the head.

Sheriff's homicide Det. Phil Guzman, who is handling the investigation, said a deputy at the jail noticed something amiss going on in the cell and found Snell dead when he went to check it out.

Det. Guzman said authorities believe Snell was killed after a disagreement among the cellmates.

No one has been charged in connection with Snell's death. Authorities are still investigating, Guzman said.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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42 reader comments

take it from somebody that has been in and out of there sometimes for charges that was put on me by the police when they had done something wrong. If they are pissed off at you they can throw you in places you should not be!!!! In one case I seen a young person go in there for a warrant on a j-walking ticket and wanted to complain about how he was being treated deputies told him well go to the sarge over there go talk to him he didn't stand a chance while they were beating him even after pleading on being sorry they broke his jaw. Even with me i had a charge against the police when i went in they threw me in a cell with nothing but hispanic gang members. Personally I knew tyrone and know that he was a good person. What happened was a set-up and even the investigators know it. It will be a cover-up.

— krazed Dec. 18, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.

I was sent to jail a couple of times. Both times for driving with a suspended license. While in jail, I witnessed several fights between inmates. Every single one of these fights was over something stupid and were never broken up by the sheriffs. The fight went on until one of the inmates lay unconscious on the floor, or the other inmates broke it up. The worst place to end up in a 'disagreement' with someone, is in the holding tanks that you are put in when your case is heard in court. These tanks are concrete walls all around with a solid steel door. No one can hear you scream, and the bangs on the door are futile. While in the Compton Court holding tanks, I saw a man get knocked out with a gash on his forehead, and lay there for about an hour, until the bailiff came for the next case. When I was transferred to the Castaic jail from Men's Central, it was worse. Racial fights, gang checkings, jumpings, cord-ins. You name it. Sometimes there were sheriffs, but only a couple times did they come over to see what was going on, and only after someone was seriously hurt. It's like they didn't care to see inmates beat each other up. I myself was involved in a fight with two 'paisas', where one was hitting me with a broom and the other was biting me in the back. It was broken up by the inmates doing the same job that day, folding clothes. We were inside a laundry room and the only sheriff supervising was busy outside doing paperwork. It was really frustrating to me that I was fighting for my life against people who were in there for very serious crimes, and I was there for, really, a traffic violation. From what I experienced, the sheriffs know about it, but they just don't care. After a second stint in the county jail, I've made sure I always have a valid drivers license. County jail is a HORRIBLE place to be.

— Meck Sept. 7, 2010 at 12:46 p.m.

My condolences to the Snell family. This should never happen and absolutely represents a failure of the staff at the jail. When we incarcerate someone, we have a collective duty to ensure they live in a safe and healthy environment (notice I didn't say comfortable; it is jail afterall). When someone is attacked in custody, they have no way to escape and so it is imperative that the staff monitor the situation all the time. In this case, they failed and there should be a serious review and consequences for whoever screwed up. Now as to the somewhat curious comments by Rousseau and Boyle Heights Citizen: what are you guys talking about 'the real prison we are all living in' and 'everywhere man is in chains'. Huh? Prison? Chains? Do you really feel that oppressed living in this great free country of ours? Please explain.

— Citizenjohn Sept. 7, 2010 at 11:04 a.m.

@Elease Snell
Lady, I'm sorry for your loss. I know that this could happen to anyone of us. I hope that the cowards responsible for this crime are caught and brought to justice. For God's divine justice may be slow to our eyes but believe truly that the hand of the most high has already singled out the killer and he will surely pay. I did not know your husband and I don't know you or the rest of you family. What I do know is that the void of what has been taken from you is heartfelt and sincere. A prayer for you and yours, that God may take you by the hand and lead you through the path of peace, that your child may find comfort, nurturing and positive guidance, and that what has taken place may never repeat itself. Stay up-Positive people, one day we will all get the justice we call upon everyday, let peace rain down from the heavens and cleanse the world from the evil that spews from the abyss. Long Live God, we pray for mercy, for love of brotherhood, loyalty, faithfulness, and harmony between peoples and nations.

— Boyle Heights Citizen Sept. 7, 2010 at 10:50 a.m.

im Tyrone's wife, and i want to 1st off thank everyone for all the prayers and sympathy that they have provided for me and my family thru this hard time. i've been going thru tyrone's laptop and i just so happened to come across the letter he wrote to my son on the day he was born and he says that a real man respects everyone even if they dont deserve it. then i seen all the home videos that he made. i thought that they were goofy at first but now i understand the concept, and im so grateful that he did it. my 10 month old son is going to grow up without his father but at least he has something to remember his father. and for whoever did this to my husband i hope that ur man enough to stand up and admit to what u have done to my family and accept the consequences like a real man should. tyrone did a lot of crazy stuff but he always admitted to his mistakes and took the consequences like a real man should. tyrone wasnt perfect but he has never let anyone down. i cant understand how people can be so evil as to brutally murder someone who was trying to do right by turning themselves in so that when they get out they could start all over for the good of their family, but the devil works in mysterious ways. tyrone was a good man and he didnt deserve to be beaten to death. and for whoever wrote this disgusting homicide report i would really like for you to get the facts straight before posting this because anyone that knows tyrone knows that he wasn't a fighter or even the one to argue. (this note is especially to the detectives investigating, i would like to be notified by phone or in person not over the l.a. times) and for the lost souls that murdered my husband please do the right thing and may god have mercy on your souls.

— Elease Snell, an angry widow Sept. 5, 2010 at 11:50 p.m.

I just went to the viewing for Tyrone yesterday a very sad time for his family and friends! Tyrone, was a Husband, Father, Brother, and son and Friend...And his death was senseless and spineless! People go to jail for many reasons a lot of them are minor reasons unexpected things not everyone is in there because they are harden criminals and even so they are there to serve there time This man turned himself in and days later was dead for doing the right thing and taking responsibility for his actions! Tyrone was a good friend of my husband he was a caring and thoughtful man, he was there for others he has helped our family numerous times! He is a father and a good one and now his son will grow without his father due to the brutality of our jail systems I don't know all the details but I do know the inmates are not the only ones these men have to worry about when they go to the LA County Jail...And that is very sad that the ones you should trust you can't! I'm sure there are some good ones but we all know there are corrupt ones as well! And we wonder why it’s hard for some to trust the police I would like to but how when things like this happen! My prayers especially to his wife and son and all of his family and friends! This was a death that never should have happened! God Bless

— KAMNIKPK&E Aug. 26, 2010 at 11:27 a.m.