Inmate Jason Robles charged with murder in jail beating death of Tony Purnell

Michael Lansu — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:34:00 -0500

Jason Robles / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

A Cook County Jail inmate has been charged with murder in the July death of fellow inmate Tony Purnell.

Sheriff’s officers identified 23-year-old Jason Robles as the inmate who got into a fight with Purnell, 42, on June 23, said sheriff’s office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari.

Purnell died later that day at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy found Purnell died of complications from head injuries caused by an assault and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Tony Purnell / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

Purnell had been in the jail since January on a disorderly conduct charge. He was also charged with civil contempt in February, authorities said.

In July, Robles was sentenced to two years in prison for aggravated battery to a government employee, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections website. He has since been charged with murder in Purnell's death, but court information was not immediately available.

“This was a tragic case and the first such case in the jail in more than six years,” Ansari said.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Jason Robles | Homicide Watch Chicago

Inmate Jason Robles charged with murder in jail beating death of Tony Purnell