Family protests inmate’s death outside Pueblo County Jail

A Pueblo family organized a rally outside of the Pueblo County Jail as part of a quest for answers behind their loved ones death.

Joe Jaramillo died in late February. His family said the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is not being forthcoming with information about his death.

His family chanted “we want to know, justice for Joe” while the group of 75 held signs and posters with pictures of the man.

In response to the group’s chants, inmates inside the jail banged on their windows.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office released a statement on March 2 in response to what a spokesperson called “erroneous and speculative information has been circulating through unedited social media sites.”

In the press release, the spokesperson said Jaramillo had a medical emergency while in jail. While in a local hospital, a judge released him on bond. He was then transferred to a Denver hospital where he later died.

“His trauma was so severe, he never opened his eyes. He was always on life support. We couldn’t ask him questions about what happened,” said his brother Rodney Jaramillo.

His 7-year-old son, Juan Jaramillo, held up a handwritten sign outside of the jail.

“What happened to my dad,” said Jaramillo.

The Pueblo County Coroner said his office is in the process of completing an autopsy report but said the report takes four to six weeks to complete.

Jaramillo’s rap sheet includes domestic violence and intimidating a witness.