Three former Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputies, Jereh Lubrin, Matthew Farris, and Rafael Rodriguez, will be released under a plea deal nearly a decade after beating mentally ill inmate Michael Tyree to death in his jail cell. The deputies, convicted of second-degree murder in 2017, had their convictions overturned in 2022 after changes in California law. They pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and were sentenced to 11 years, including time served. Tyree’s 2015 death led to significant jail reforms, and his family hopes the men remember their actions and seek redemption.
At a sentencing hearing, Judge Benjamin Williams stated that the time served in jail, prison, and credits for good behavior fulfilled their 11-year sentences. All three have been under home detention since summer, and following their court appearance, they will begin a two-year parole period. Tyree, 32, was awaiting psychiatric treatment when he was found dead in his cell on August 27, 2015, with signs of severe trauma.
Tyree’s sister, Shannon, did not attend the sentencing due to the trauma of her brother’s death. In court, Deputy District Attorney Matthew Braker read an emotional statement on her behalf, emphasizing that Tyree was mentally ill but had a family, friends, and a child. The former deputies declined to make statements during the hearing.
The case led to reforms in the Santa Clara County jail system, including the establishment of civilian oversight. The men’s initial convictions were partly based on the “natural and probable consequences” standard, which allowed murder convictions if a defendant participated in a dangerous crime that led to murder. This standard was later invalidated by state law, leading to the reversal of their convictions.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen’s office agreed to the plea deal, which offered lesser sentences but claimed it would not significantly reduce the men’s time in prison. Despite the plea, Tyree’s family hopes the former deputies will never forget their actions and seek to make amends
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