Lassen County’s District Attorney’s Office says HDSP inmate Russell James McAllister was found guilty on July 18, 2024, of first-degree murder for the killing of a fellow inmate in 2019 McAllister was also convicted of possessing a weapon while incarcerated.
McAllister has been in state prison since 2001, following his conviction in Riverside County for a series of crimes, including attempted murder, robbery, second-degree burglary, attempted carjacking, and arson. He was sentenced to 16.5 years for those offenses. During his time in prison, McAllister faced additional charges, including an incident where he threatened to kill the Riverside County Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted his original case, leading to further convictions for attempting to threaten a public official and making criminal threats.
In September 2019, McAllister was convicted of attempted murder with the infliction of great bodily injury on another inmate at High Desert State Prison, resulting in an additional 13-year sentence. Just a month later, in October 2019, he committed the first-degree murder for which he was recently convicted, using an inmate-manufactured weapon to stab his victim.
The case was prosecuted by Prison Prosecutor Jordan Funk. The Lassen District Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude to the staff at High Desert State Prison for their investigation and assistance, and to the jurors for their dedication, particularly given the trial coincided with a busy fair week.
McAllister’s sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2024.
