PEKIN ( 25News Now ) - An elderly Tazewell County Jail inmate, who was awaiting trial for murder, has died from Legionnaires’ disease, prompting county officials to take preventative measures including releasing some “non-violent” inmates to reduce the jail’s population.

In a release sent to the news media late Friday night, Tazewell County Sheriff Jeffrey Lower said he learned earlier in the day that the jail’s internal water system tested positive for legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease.

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

Lower said Pate’s health started to deteriorate about a month ago, and he was put into hospice care when doctors

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