Recently, ten inmates at a New Orleans prison managed to escape by clogging a toilet and shutting off the water, creating a path for their getaway.
According to defense attorney Michael Kennedy, maintenance worker Sterling Williams was unaware of the escape plan and did not permit inmates to tamper with the pipes behind the toilet. His narrative diverges significantly from the claims made by authorities before Williams’ arrest.
Officials had instructed inmates to shut off the water and direct it at the toilet, which contributed to this major escape incident.
As of Wednesday, five of the escaped men were still on the loose.
Williams is just a “tool,” lawyers say.
Kennedy remarked that after being called to address the overflowing toilet, Williams suddenly found himself wrapped up in a chaotic situation.
“Clearly, it was part of a planned effort,” he commented. “They just used him to cut off the water. They understood that clogging the toilet would set things in motion.”
In an arrest affidavit, investigators noted that Williams had been evasive initially but eventually claimed that he had been threatened. Authorities pointed out that he could have reported the escape and allegedly did stop the water supply, allowing the inmates to complete their escape.
Kennedy insisted that Williams was unaware of any escape attempt. He argued that, while Williams was told he would be harmed if he didn’t assist, he hadn’t colluded with the inmates or expected a breakout.
A request for comment from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding Kennedy’s statements went unanswered. The sheriff expressed belief that the escape was coordinated internally.
District Attorney Jason Williams and Attorney General Liz Maryll inspected the prison and indicated that multiple individuals might share the blame for the escape, though they withheld specific details.
Shan King’s comments were not a threat, the lawyer says.
Inmate Antoine Massey allegedly approached Williams during maintenance, making what Kennedy described as more of a casual remark than a clear threat. “The situation seems exaggerated,” Kennedy stated, suggesting that while a threat was made, it was not articulated in a menacing way.
He further argued that cells with clogged toilets should not have housed inmates, particularly those with disabilities. “They shouldn’t have been there to begin with,” he pointed out, stressing that the escape plan revolved around intentionally overflowing toilets that would necessitate attention from maintenance.
“Scapegoat”
Kennedy mentioned only having a brief Zoom meeting with Williams and did not delve into specifics about the toilet issue during their conversation.
Williams reportedly could not even recall the name of the staff member who instructed him to fix the toilet.
Meanwhile, Williams is feeling anxious about both his safety and his future, as he is now held in a different facility. His lawyer characterized the accusations against him as absurd, suggesting that the sheriff’s office is attempting to use him to deflect blame and embarrassment.
Williams faces multiple charges related to the escape incident.
Additional arrests
Authorities arrested two individuals on Wednesday accused of aiding the escaped inmates. Colny Harris, 32, from New Orleans, and Colvantey Baptist, 38, from Slidell, face charges as accessories after the fact.
Both were booked at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center, though it remains unclear if they have legal representation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Harris contacted some of the escaped inmates after their getaway and helped transport them around New Orleans.
In contrast, Baptist allegedly communicated with one of the fugitives via phone and social media, aiding him in finding food during his time in hiding.
