Officials at Salinas Valley State Prison are investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide

Officials at Salinas Valley State Prison are investigating the death of an inmate as a homicide

SOLEDAD – Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are investigating the August 19, 2024, death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide.

At 10:31 a.m., inmate Miguel A. Espino allegedly attacked another inmate, Michael R. Spengler.

Staff quickly stopped the incident and immediately called for medical assistance and 911. Arriving paramedics pronounced Spengler dead at 11:08 a.m. Neither staff nor other detainees were injured.

Espino has been placed in a detention facility pending the completion of the investigation by the SVSP Investigative Division and the Monterey County District Attorney's Office. Officers recovered an inmate-made weapon at the scene. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified, and the Monterey County Coroner will determine Spengler's official cause of death.

Spengler, 38, was last admitted to Los Angeles County on August 9, 2022, to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and premeditated murder.

Espino, 31, was sentenced on February 8, 2024, out of Riverside County to life in prison with the possibility of parole for attempted premeditated murder, aggravated assault and personal use of dangerous or deadly weapons, aggravated assault and arson of an inhabited structure, and aggravated arson under special circumstances.

Opened in 1996, SVSP houses more than 3,300 minimum, medium, maximum and high security inmates. SVSP offers academic courses and vocational training programs and employs approximately 1,500 staff.