Supervisors reject claims from family of inmate beaten to death

The Merced County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected three claims seeking unlimited damages for the death of Alejandro Vega, a confidential witness for the Merced Police Department, who in September was beaten to death in the Merced County Jail.

Vega died Sept. 20, a day after he was beaten in his dormitory. Six inmates are charged with his murder: Jesse Rodriguez, 23, Michael Turner, 32, Jose Santana, 21, Brenden Chanminalatha, 19, Francisco Gonzales, 20, and Anthony Salinas, 18.

They have pleaded not guilty.

Investigators said the suspects and victim were Norteno gang members and the assault was ordered from within the gang structure.

Supervisors on Tuesday denied claims made by Vega’s parents in the board’s consent calendar, which is voted on in a single motion. The board did not discuss the claims.

The claims say Vega, who was 29 when he died, was a confidential informant for Merced Police Department. The claim alleges wrongful death, accusing the county Sheriff’s Office and the correctional officers and Merced police for breach of duty.

Vega’s parents also included funeral and memorial expenses in their claims.

All six defendants will appear in court for a preliminary hearing in May.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Supervisors reject claims from family of inmate beaten to death."