The district attorney in Orleans Parish criticized the county’s sheriff for not initiating a crime scene investigation following the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans prison last Friday.
During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, District Attorney Jason Williams shared that he was informed by NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick that Sheriff Susan Hutson had not requested an official investigation of the jail cell that the inmates used to escape.
Williams emphasized the importance of acting quickly to collect DNA samples and fingerprints, noting, “It’s crucial to gather evidence before it is tampered with or lost.” He expressed significant concern over the lack of an immediate request from the sheriff to involve the local crime lab to examine and secure all available forensic evidence for testing.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson arrives for a City Council meeting at City Hall in New Orleans on Tuesday after 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center last week. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate)
He has also demanded that the sheriff’s office preserve and turn over all surveillance footage from the jail from April 1 until Wednesday, as well as any other pertinent investigatory materials.
It has been nearly a week since 10 inmates, some wanted for violent crimes like murder, brazenly escaped from their cell and over the jail’s fence into the New Orleans community. They taunted authorities on the way out with written messages on the cell wall, including one that read, “To easy LOL.”
Five of those inmates, including Derrick Groves, who is a convicted killer of four people, are still on the loose.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) announced that two more people were arrested for aiding the inmates after they escaped.
Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste of Slidell were arrested for assisting the fugitives. They are also being held at the Plaquemines County Jail.
On Thursday afternoon, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on X that Harris’ bond was set at $2.5 million and Baptiste’s at $1 million.
“You will be arrested and prosecuted if you assist these escapees in any way,” she warned in the post.
Sources close to the investigation told Fox News that Baptiste was Corey Boyd‘s girlfriend. She allegedly did not cooperate with the police and said she did not participate in the escape. Boyd was captured by LSP on Tuesday night.
Louisiana State Police arrest escaped inmate Corey Boyd. (Louisiana State Police)
Harris, who is Leo Tate’s girlfriend, allegedly admitted to her role in aiding the escapees, and gave a confession, according to the sources. Tate is still on the run.
Boyd, 19, who was facing charges of second-degree murder before the escape, was the latest inmate captured. He was taken into custody on Tuesday night.
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