Print Six lawmakers from San Diego County have asked the state auditor to investigate years of deaths inside the local jail system, which has recorded the highest mortality rate among California’s largest counties. The request, which came after the Democratic Party of San Diego County voted to seek the independent review, asks the legislature’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee to approve an audit of the deaths among people in the San Diego Sheriff’s Department custody dating back 15 years. “Specifically, we’d like to know why so many inmates have died while in the Department’s custody and what steps are being taken to ensure proper protocol,” the legislators wrote.