BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A Kern Valley State Prison inmate faces an additional 25 years to life after being convicted of assaulting another inmate.
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said on April 16, 2025, a jury found 53-year-old Ricardo Mathews guilty of two felony counts, including assault with a deadly weapon and inmate in possession of a weapon.
The court later found true that Mathews had prior felony convictions for robbery, intimidating a witness, assault causing great bodily injury, and criminal threats – all falling within the three strikes law. The court also found true that Mathews planned the crimes, used a weapon, engaged in behavior that indicates a serious danger to society, that he has served prior terms in prison, and his prior performance on probation was unsatisfactory, as factors in aggravation…