Cuomo: Escaped Inmates Had Sights On Mexico But Ride Backed Out
MALONE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- One of the convicted murders who was captured Sunday after escaping from prison three weeks ago is now speaking with authorities and says he was planing on going to Mexico, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
The two escapees who had eluded a massive manhunt for three weeks had initially planned to drive to Mexico but headed toward Canada on foot when their ride backed out, CBS2's Dana Tyler reported.
David Sweat, 35, was running from a state trooper Sunday afternoon when he was shot twice in the torso less than 2 miles from the Canadian border.
He was upgraded to serious condition at Albany Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries. Doctors determined overnight that he didn't need immediate surgery, but said he is expected to remain in the hospital for at least a few days.
Cuomo told the Capitol Pressroom radio program that Sweat was starting to relay information to police about his escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora on June 6 with fellow inmate Richard Matt, who was killed Friday afternoon.
Prosecutors have said prison tailor shop employee Joyce Mitchell got close to the men and agreed to be their getaway driver but backed out because she felt guilty for participating in the escape. Cuomo provided new details Monday.
"They would kill Mitchell's husband and then get in the car and drive to Mexico on the theory that Mitchell was in love with one or both of them,'' Cuomo said. "When Mitchell doesn't show up, the Mexico plan gets foiled, and they head north toward Canada.''
Matt had previously spent time in Mexico.
Cuomo said the two men split up about five days ago. Matt had blisters on his feet and Sweat felt his 49-year-old escape partner was slowing him down, Cuomo said.
Cuomo told CNN that Sweat had a bag containing maps, tools, bug repellent and Pop Tarts when he was shot by Sgt. Jay Cook in a farm field in Constable, about 30 miles northwest of the prison. Sweat was unarmed at the time.
Matt was killed Friday afternoon in Malone, just south of Constable, while holding a shotgun.
Cook, a 21-year veteran, was alone and on routine patrol when he stumbled upon Sweat. He gave chase when Sweat fled and decided to fire fearing he would lose Sweat in the trees, state police said.
"I can only assume he was going for the border,'' Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said.
D'Amico said the men may have used black pepper to throw off their scent from the dogs that were tracking them; he said Sweat's DNA was recovered from pepper shakers found at one camp where the fugitives may have spent time.
People who live near the maximum security prison say they are looking forward to life getting back to normal.
"It's a relief," said resident Linda Parker. "It's the first good night sleep I've had."
Late Sunday night, grateful residents showed up at the prison to cheer all the law enforcement officials who worked on the manhunt.
"There's a lot of men who are going to go home with sore feet tonight, but they'll be able to enjoy the Fourth of July and not look over their shoulder," said Morrisonville resident Roger Savreau.
Matt, 49, and Sweat used power tools to saw through a steel cell wall and several steel steam pipes, bashed a hole through a 2-foot-thick brick wall, squirmed through pipes and emerged from a manhole outside the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora.
Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole in the killing of a sheriff's deputy in Broome County in 2002. Matt was serving 25 years to life for the killing and dismembering of his former boss.
Authorities said the men had filled their beds in their adjacent cells with clothes to make it appear they were sleeping when guards made overnight rounds. On a cut steam pipe, the prisoners left a taunting note containing a crude caricature of an Asian face and the words "Have a nice day.''
Prosecutors said the inmates apparently used tools stored by prison contractors, taking care to return them to their toolboxes after each night's work.
Mitchell and another prison worker have been charged with helping them.
Clinton correction officer Gene Palmer, charged with promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct, is due in court Monday. His attorney has said he will plead not guilty.
Officials said Palmer gave the two prisoners frozen hamburger meat that a prison tailoring shop instructor had used to hide the tools she smuggled to Sweat and Matt. Palmer's attorney said he had no knowledge that the meat contained hacksaw blades, a bit and a screwdriver.
Mitchell pleaded not guilty June 15 to charges including felony promoting prison contraband.
Sweat will be charged with escape, burglary and other charges, said Andrew Wylie, Clinton County district attorney. He and Matt are suspected of breaking into some of the region's many cabins during their time on the lam. Wylie said prosecutors would wait for Sweat to recover before charging him.
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