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Jail inmate in Florence injured in assault dies

Posted at 4:20 PM, Sep 25, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-25 19:20:51-04

Authorities say man critically injured after being assaulted by another jail inmate in Florence has died at a hospital.

Pinal County Sheriff's officials say 37-year-old Anthony Lopez never regained consciousness after the incident Sunday night.

Detention officers at the county's Adult Detention Center found Lopez with head injuries and lying unconscious on the cement floor of the recreation area about 6:45 p.m.

Surveillance video showed Lopez playing basketball with other inmates.

He allegedly was pushed to the ground and hit multiple times in the head by another inmate before collapsing.

Sheriff's officials say 40-year-old Michael Favela has been placed in a segregation cell while the assault is being investigated.

Favela already is serving a jail sentence for kidnapping and aggravated robbery and could be facing more charges after Lopez's death.