Tazewell County Sheriff to Release Non-Violent Inmates
An elderly Tazewell County Jail inmate, awaiting trial for murder, has died from Legionnaires' disease, prompting the sheriff to take preventative measures.
The inmate, 94-year-old James Pate, was charged with fatally stabbing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl, in Pekin. Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower announced that the jail's internal water system tested positive for legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease.
Pate's health started to deteriorate about a month ago, and he was put into hospice care when doctors said he was unlikely to recover. Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley confirmed Pate's death.
The sheriff said he learned that the jail's internal water system tested positive for legionella bacteria.
- The sheriff is releasing some non-violent inmates to reduce the jail's population.
- The jail's internal water system tested positive for legionella bacteria.
- James Pate, 94, died from Legionnaires' disease while awaiting trial for murder.
Author's summary: Tazewell County sheriff releases non-violent inmates due to Legionnaires' disease outbreak.