Cuomo: Inmates had sights on Mexico, but ride backed out

Associated Press

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.

Two convicted murderers who eluded a massive manhunt for three weeks planned to drive to Mexico after escaping prison but ended up walking toward Canada when their ride backed out – finally splitting up in their final days of freedom, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

David Sweat, 35, was hospitalized in serious condition after being shot twice in the torso by a trooper and captured Sunday near the Canadian border. Cuomo said Sweat has begun providing information about his escape from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility on June 6 with Richard Matt and their weeks on the lam. Matt was killed by officers Friday.

Prosecutors previously have said prison tailor shop employee Joyce Mitchell got close to the men and agreed to be their getaway driver but backed out because she felt guilty. Authorities also have said they discussed killing Mitchell’s husband, matching the newly detailed account provided by Cuomo on the Capitol Pressroom radio program.

“They would kill Mitchell’s husband and then get in the car and drive to Mexico on the theory that Mitchell was in love with one or both of them, and then they would go live happily ever after, which is a fairy tale that I wasn’t read as a child,” the governor said. “When Mitchell doesn’t show up, the Mexico plan gets foiled, and then they head north toward Canada.”

Matt previously had fled to Mexico after killing and dismembering his former boss in 1997.

Matt and Sweat apparently spent more than two weeks together roaming the thick northern New York woods. Authorities believe they traveled mostly at night and managed to get food, a gun and other supplies from hunting camps and seasonal cabins.

Cuomo said the two men split up about five days ago. Matt had blisters on his feet – searchers found his bloody socks – and Sweat thought his 49-year-old escape partner was holding him back.

“Sweat felt that Matt was slowing him down,” Cuomo said.

Sweat was captured Sunday in the town of Constable, about 30 miles northwest of the prison, after Sgt. Jay Cook spotted him while on routine patrol. Cook shot Sweat as he fled toward trees.

Sweat had a bag containing maps, tools, bug repellent and Pop Tarts when he was shot by Cook. Sweat was unarmed at the time, authorities said.

Sweat was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he was upgraded from critical to serious condition after doctors determined overnight that he didn’t need immediate surgery. He is expected to stay at the hospital for a few days while his condition stabilizes, according to hospital officials.

Mitchell and corrections officer Gene Palmer have been charged in connection with the escape. Mitchell pleaded not guilty June 15 to charges including felony promoting prison contraband.