Two indicted for jail escape
Two prisoners who last month became the first inmates to escape the new Warren County Jail have been indicted on felony escape charges for their short taste of freedom.
The escapees, Susej Riddle, 19, and Michael Wright Jr., 18, were indicted on charges of escape during the most recent session of the grand jury. In addition to the indictment, Riddle has had his probation on prior convictions violated in both Circuit and General Sessions Court, meaning he will have to serve his probation time in addition to any future sentences he may accumulate.
The escape, in addition to felony charges, also brought immediate consequences for inmates and those who lawmen believe helped them escape.
‘They were on lockdown for a while,’ said Sheriff Jackie Matheny of the escapees and some of their cellmates. ‘It’s pretty well back to normal now but it’s not over because they could lose good time when it comes to calculating their sentences.’
Good time, or time off for good behavior, generally reduces an inmate’s sentence by at least eight days per month. However, escape is one of the crimes for which inmates can be docked good time, thereby making them serve more of their sentence.
As for the facility itself, Matheny said the cell where the escape originated is not in use presently as they are waiting for shatter-resistant glass, which, along with reinforcing the cell bars, should make it more secure.
The pair escaped by breaking the glass and then kicking out the bars from their cell window. They then lowered themselves to the exercise yard below using bed sheets and then used a blanket to cross razor wire which tops the perimeter fence.
The escapees then evaded arrest by jailers who saw them scaling the fence on the facility’s security cameras, one jumping in an awaiting getaway car and the other running away down nearby railroad tracks. Both were returned to custody the following day when they were caught in separate raids. At the time of the escape, Riddle was being held for allegedly robbing a pizza deliveryman while Wright was being held for allegedly participating in a home invasion.