Sheriff: Procedures not followed in Texas escape

Sheriff: Procedures not followed in Texas escape

DALLAS (AP) — A North Texas sheriff says some of her department’s standard procedures weren’t followed in the moments before a capital murder suspect’s escape from a hospital.

Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez told reporters today that standard procedures require all county jail inmates to be escorted at all times while on medical visits to Parkland Memorial Hospital. She says, “procedures were not totally followed and an error was made.”

She declined to elaborate on that error, citing security concerns.

Franklin B. Davis stole a deputy’s service revolver while at Parkland and fled the hospital Tuesday night. He was tracked to a van nearby and surrendered peacefully after a two-hour standoff.

Davis awaits trial in the death of 16-year-old Shania Gray, who had previously accused him of rape.