New York prison break ends with killing and a capture

The New York police have finally neutralized both the convicted murderers who had escaped from the maximum security prison in northern New York State nearly three weeks ago. During this time, the police tirelessly chased the fugitives and acted on several tips from the people. However, most o these tips were not useful. Just two days ago, David Sweat’s fellow inmate was killed in a confrontation with police. Richard Matt had been shot in the head three times. Through initial examination it was found that he had blisters, abrasions and bug bites which were normal for someone living in the woods for a while. Matt was shot by a member of US Customs and Border Protection Tactical Unit on Friday.

Photo: New York Police

The State police sergeant Jay Cook, who shot David Sweat, is being hailed as a hero. He spotted the fugitive in the town o Constable, just south of the Canadian Border. Sweat was walking on the road when Cook recognized and pursued him. When the fugitive approached a tree line, the sergeant feared that he might lose him following which he fired upon him. Sweat was struck twice in the torso and was later taken to a hospital in a stable condition. There has been no formal interview by the investigators yet as they are waiting for Sweat to be normal again. The interview could be of great importance as any information that he provides will be useful for the investigation.

The Clinton County Chief prosecutor, Andrew Wylie said that Sweat will be charged with escape, burglary and other charges. While being on the run, the inmates may have broken into some of the region’s cabins. The police suspects that the fugitives may have used black pepper to mask their trail as Sweat’s DNA was recovered from pepper shakers found at a camp where the two might have spent some time.  Previously, the police found out that they received help from someone who provided them with the tools like chisels and hammers which they used in their escape. Power tools were used to saw through the steel cell wall and several steel steam pipes. They used them to bash a hole through a brick wall, squirm through pipes to emerge out of the manhole outside the Clinton correctional facility.

David Sweat was serving a sentence of life without parole for killing a sheriff’s deputy in 2002 while Matt was serving 25 years to life for killing and dismembering his former boss. Two weeks after their escape the two convicts were added to US Marshals Service’s 15 most wanted fugitives list. The Governor Andrew Cuomo, after the second capture, declared in a news conference,” The nightmare is finally over.”