An inmate who murdered a North Valley correctional officer has been given a second life sentence.
47-year-old Jose Sablan was already serving life behind bars.
This week, he has been given a second life sentence for the murder of correctional officer Jose Rivera (seen above).
In 2008, Sablan attacked the 22-year-old guard at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, while Rivera was conducting his daily count.
Sablan stabbed him with an eight inch homemade knife.
Officer Rivera tried to get away, but was knocked backwards by Sablan and his co-defendant, James Ninete Leon Guerrero – who held him down as Sablan stabbed him.
Both men were indicted for the murder.
Guerrero was sentenced to life last year.
The crime could have brought the death penalty.
The life sentences were criticized by the union representing 33-thousand federal prison workers, including correctional officers.
