This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/25/new-york-prison-guard-arraignment-prisoners-escape

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Prison guard to be arraigned on charges of helping in New York escape plot Prison guard to be arraigned on charges of helping in New York escape plot
(34 minutes later)
A maximum-security prison guard who delivered frozen meat with tools hidden inside to two inmates before they escaped will be arraigned on charges of promoting prison contraband and other offenses.A maximum-security prison guard who delivered frozen meat with tools hidden inside to two inmates before they escaped will be arraigned on charges of promoting prison contraband and other offenses.
But a lawyer for correction officer Gene Palmer says his client had no knowledge any contraband was inside the meat.But a lawyer for correction officer Gene Palmer says his client had no knowledge any contraband was inside the meat.
“He did pass the hamburger meat. He shouldn’t have done it. He apologized for it,” said defense lawyer Andrew Brockway on Wednesday night. He insisted Palmer didn’t know the inmates were trying to escape.“He did pass the hamburger meat. He shouldn’t have done it. He apologized for it,” said defense lawyer Andrew Brockway on Wednesday night. He insisted Palmer didn’t know the inmates were trying to escape.
Palmer worked at the Clinton Correctional facility in upstate Dannemora, where inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt were reported missing on 6 June. Palmer worked at the Clinton correctional facility in upstate Dannemora, where inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt were reported missing on 6 June.
He was released from the Clinton County jail around 12.30 am Thursday after posting $25,000 bail after he appeared before a judge in Plattsburgh to face charges of promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct. He was released from the Clinton County jail around 12.30 am on Thursday after posting $25,000 bail after he appeared before a judge in Plattsburgh to face charges of promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct.
Palmer will plead not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday, Brockway said.Palmer will plead not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday, Brockway said.
Authorities say the inmates cut through the steel wall at the back of their cells, crawled down a catwalk, broke through a brick wall, cut their way into and out of a steam pipe and then sliced through the chain and lock on a manhole cover outside the prison.Authorities say the inmates cut through the steel wall at the back of their cells, crawled down a catwalk, broke through a brick wall, cut their way into and out of a steam pipe and then sliced through the chain and lock on a manhole cover outside the prison.
Related: New York prison break - how two murderers escapedRelated: New York prison break - how two murderers escaped
Sweat, 35, was serving a life sentence without parole in the killing of a sheriff’s deputy. Matt, who turned 49 Thursday, was doing 25 years to life in the kidnapping, torture and hacksaw dismemberment of his former boss. Sweat, 35, was serving a life sentence without parole in the killing of a sheriff’s deputy. Matt, who turned 49 on Thursday, was doing 25 years to life for the kidnapping, torture and hacksaw dismemberment of his former boss.
Prison employee Joyce Mitchell also has been charged with helping them escape. Mitchell, a prison tailor shop instructor, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody. Prison employee Joyce Mitchell has also been charged with helping them escape. Mitchell, a prison tailor shop instructor, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody.
Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Mitchell told investigators she smuggled hacksaw blades, a screwdriver and other tools into the prison by placing them in the frozen hamburger meat. He said she then placed the meat in a refrigerator in the tailor shop and Palmer took the meat to Sweat and Matt, who were housed in a section where inmates are allowed to cook their own meals. The district attorney said the guard didn’t know the tools were inside the meat. The Clinton County district attorney, Andrew Wylie, said Mitchell told investigators she smuggled hacksaw blades, a screwdriver and other tools into the prison by placing them in the frozen hamburger meat. He said she then placed the meat in a refrigerator in the tailor shop and Palmer took the meat to Sweat and Matt, who were housed in a section where inmates are allowed to cook their own meals. The district attorney said the guard didn’t know the tools were inside the meat.
Brockway said Palmer continues to cooperate with investigators who are trying to track down the fugitives.Brockway said Palmer continues to cooperate with investigators who are trying to track down the fugitives.
“He understands this is a public emergency, and any information that he has he will give to authorities to help capture Mr Sweat and Mr Matt,” Brockway said.“He understands this is a public emergency, and any information that he has he will give to authorities to help capture Mr Sweat and Mr Matt,” Brockway said.
Palmer had been placed on leave on Tuesday. At the time, his attorney told television station WPTZ he was completely forthcoming during several hours of questioning on Saturday.Palmer had been placed on leave on Tuesday. At the time, his attorney told television station WPTZ he was completely forthcoming during several hours of questioning on Saturday.
“I can 100% confirm that he did not know they were planning on breaking out of the prison,” Brockway said.“I can 100% confirm that he did not know they were planning on breaking out of the prison,” Brockway said.
Searchers hunting for the escaped killers Wednesday contended with steep slopes, thick woods, sticky bogs, biting bugs and the possibility that the pair on the lam from prison for 19 days is armed. Searchers hunting for the escaped killers on Wednesday contended with steep slopes, thick woods, sticky bogs, biting bugs and the possibility that the pair on the lam from prison for 19 days are armed.
Police said they remain almost fully certain that Sweat and Matt spent time recently at a hunting camp about 20 miles west of the correctional facility near Owls Head. A hunter said he saw a figure bolting from the cabin on Saturday morning. But after days of intense searching with dogs and helicopters, police still had no substantiated sightings of Sweat and Matt.Police said they remain almost fully certain that Sweat and Matt spent time recently at a hunting camp about 20 miles west of the correctional facility near Owls Head. A hunter said he saw a figure bolting from the cabin on Saturday morning. But after days of intense searching with dogs and helicopters, police still had no substantiated sightings of Sweat and Matt.
State police Major Charles Guess said Wednesday authorities don’t have confirmed evidence a shotgun was stolen from the hunting cabin near Owls Head but they’ve always assumed the escapees were armed. Weapons and ammunition are typically stored in camps, but not everyone keeps an inventory, he said. Major Charles Guess of the state police said on Wednesday authorities do not have confirmed evidence a shotgun was stolen from the hunting cabin near Owls Head but they have always assumed the escapees were armed. Weapons and ammunition are typically stored in camps, but not everyone keeps an inventory, he said.