PEKIN, Ill. – An elderly Tazewell County Jail inmate, who was awaiting trial for murder, has died from Legionnaire’s disease, prompting the Tazewell County sheriff to release some “non-violent” inmates to reduce the potential spread of the disease through the jail’s population.

In a release Friday night, Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lowery said he learned on Friday that the jail’s internal water system had tested positive for legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaire’s disease.

Tazewell County Coroner Charles Hanley said 94-year-old James Pate died on October 6. He was charged with fatally stabbing his 80-year-old wife, Cheryl, in Pekin on September 2.

(Tazewell County Jail courtesy of 25 News)

Lower said Pate’s health began to deteriorate roughly a month ago, and he was put int

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