An inmate was murdered at High Desert State Prison in Lassen County last Friday morning. The California Department of Corrections says 49-year-old Scott Cook was attacked by John Patch and Zachary Harris. Cook suffered multiple stab wounds and was declared dead about 20 minutes after the attack. Two inmate-manufactured weapons were found at the scene by correctional officers. Cook had been at the prison for 24 years serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for a San Bernardino County murder, carjacking and kidnapping. His attackers are also convicted murderers, both from San Diego County. High desert has 2,507 prisoners and more than 1,200 staff members.
– Steve Gibson