Orleans Parish Officials Criticized After Prison Escape
The Orleans Parish District Attorney has sharply criticized the county sheriff for failing to initiate an investigation at the crime scene following the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans prison on Friday.
District Attorney Jason Williams conveyed his concerns to New Orleans Police Department Principal Anne Kirkpatrick, noting that a formal crime scene investigation was not requested from the prison by Sheriff Susan Hutson. “Time is crucial when it comes to capturing quality DNA samples and collecting fingerprints,” he stated. “It’s concerning that our local crime lab wasn’t called in immediately to document and preserve the forensic evidence available.”
In addition, Williams expressed the need to secure all surveillance footage from the prison from April 1st through Wednesday, alongside other relevant materials. Nearly a week has passed since the escape, which included inmates convicted of violent crimes like murder. Some even left messages behind, such as “A Simple LOL,” which added a somewhat bizarre tone to the serious incident.
As of now, five inmates remain at large, with four of them, including convicted murderer Derrick Groves, still unaccounted for.
Williams suggested that members of the sheriff’s department themselves may be under investigation for their potential involvement in the escape. “We asked for the sheriff and all members of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, including maintenance staff, to voluntarily submit DNA samples and fingerprints for the investigation,” he mentioned.
He asserted that proper protocols could have led to the apprehension of all 10 escapees by now, emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of capturing fugitives. “If they escaped at 12:30 a.m., public notification to the media could have ensured that all 10 individuals were already back in custody,” he said.
Without an organized investigation, Williams and some NOPD Crime Lab members attempted to gather evidence on their own, searching prison cells and areas linked to the escape.
Williams described his investigation visit as “very rare,” highlighting the critical need to focus on the crime scene, particularly the damaged toilets that might have facilitated the escape. “Fingerprints and DNA are crucial in piecing together the narrative here, which is what the judge will look for when determining accountability.”
Earlier in the week, Sheriff Hutson had announced her campaign for reelection was suspended, stating that her main focus is currently on apprehending the fugitives.
One individual has already faced charges linked to the escape. Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including one count of simple escape, allegedly disabling water access in the cell from which the inmates fled. His bond is set at $1.1 million.
On Wednesday, two additional individuals were arrested for allegedly aiding the inmates in their escape. Colny Harris and Colvantey Baptist are, like Williams, facing significant bail amounts and are currently held at the Plaquemines County Jail.
The Louisiana Attorney General has warned that any support for the escapees will result in arrest and charges. Reports suggest that Harris admitted her involvement in aiding the escape, while one of the fugitives, Corey Boyd, has since been recaptured, facing serious charges prior to his escape.
Meanwhile, another fugitive remains at large, raising ongoing public safety concerns and prompting calls for better oversight and response protocols within the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.
