Telford inmate dies after allegedly being assaulted by cellmate

June 29, 2017 at 7:52 p.m. | Updated June 29, 2017 at 7:48 p.m.

by Gazette Staff

Pete Ayala
Pete Ayala

 

Pete Ayala, 29, was found unresponsive in his cell about 4:16 a.m. Sunday while security workers were conducting rounds, according to a press release from Robert C. Hurst, Texas Department of Criminal Justice public information officer.

His cellmate, Justin Williams, 22, was restrained and removed from the cell.

 

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Mack Brown announces that he is stepping down as head football coach at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. The Longhorns have had four straight seasons with at least four losses. Texas went 8-4 this year and Brown's final game will be the Dec. 30 Alamo Bowl against Oregon. (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)

"Staff began life saving measures on Ayala and called 911. He was then transported to Wadley Regional (Medical Center) in Texarkana. On June 26th, Ayala was pronounced deceased by the attending physician at the hospital. Preliminary indications are that Ayala was assaulted by his cellmate. Investigators with the Office of Inspector General  TDCJ are investigating the case as a homicide," Hurst states in the press release.

Ayala was received in December 2009 from Henderson County to serve a 40-year sentence for murder with a deadly weapon.

Williams was received in November 2016 to serve a 50-year sentence for murder with a deadly weapon.

The case is under investigation and no further information will be released at this time, according to Hurst.

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