ORIGINAL STORY -- Joseph Son, a bit actor serving a life sentence for gang rape is now suspected of killing his prison cell mate, reports CBS Los Angeles. The inmate was found dead in their cell on Monday evening.
The inmate's name is being withheld as authorities notify his next of kin, according to a statement released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He had entered Wasco State Prison on June 23 of this year because he failed to register as a sex offender, which was a violation of his parole. The inmate was 50 years old at the time of his death.
According to CDCR spokesperson Henry Cervantez, if Son is tried and convicted for the homicide, he could face another sentence on top of his life term. As for the possibility of parole? "It would be a while," says Cervantez.
In September of this year, Son was sentenced to life in prison for gang raping a woman in 1990, according to the Associated Press. The crime, which took place in Huntington Beach, California, occurred before he won a role in the film 'Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery.'
UPDATE -- The Associated Press reports that an autopsy on the body will be performed on Wednesday, according to a spokesman for the sheriff-coroner's office.
Both Son and his cellmate were being housed in the reception unit for new inmates in a state prison, but TMZ notes that Son has now been moved to a solitary confinement unit during the investigation. From TMZ: "during his solitary confinement, Son will be allowed to enjoy 10 hours of yard time a week -- and he'll also have regular shower privileges."
UPDATE [9:48 p.m. Wednesday] -- The Associated Press reports that Son's cellmate was "beaten to death". More details below:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Local coroner's officials say the California state prison cellmate of an actor from the first "Austin Powers" movie was beaten to death.
An autopsy performed Wednesday by the Kern County Coroner's Office shows inmate Michael Graham died of "multiple blunt force injuries." The death of the 50-year-old inmate has been ruled a homicide.
The video clip below depicts Son acting as "Random Task," one of Dr. Evil's henchmen.