Law enforcement’s handling of a major jailbreak on May 16 is drawing scrutiny as experts express concerns over the potential impact on prosecuting the escapees. The lack of immediate crime scene processing may complicate legal proceedings, according to Jason Pack, a former FBI supervisory special agent. “One of the first things any prosecutor looks for is basic crime scene documentation: photos, evidence logs, and signs that law enforcement treated the scene seriously,” Pack told Fox News Digital.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams took an unusual step by forming a team to gather evidence from the jail cell after Sheriff Susan Hutson failed to order a crime scene investigation. Williams personally accompanied New Orleans Police Department crime scene technicians to collect forensic evidence. “Time is also of the essence when trying to get good DNA samples or collect fingerprints to make sure those areas are not molested or destroyed in any way,” Williams emphasized.
The district attorney’s actions underscore concerns about the delay in evidence collection which could aid defense attorneys. Pack noted that Williams was likely preemptively addressing potential weaknesses in the case. “Now that someone from inside the jail has been charged with helping the escape, the district attorney was likely thinking like a prosecutor from the start,” he remarked.
Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker, was arrested and charged with aiding the inmates’ escape. He allegedly turned off the water supply, allowing the removal of a toilet blocking an escape route. The escapees then used the hole to flee through an unguarded corridor and over the jail’s fence.
Williams claimed he was threatened by the inmates, who said they would “shank” him if he did not cooperate. Legal experts like Pack emphasize that the jail pod still requires thorough crime scene treatment. However, the bustling environment of the jail complicates the preservation of evidence.
Pack pointed out that multiple people, including guards and other inmates, have access to the area, potentially contaminating the scene. The collection of fingerprint and DNA evidence is essential to demonstrate thorough investigative efforts. “It’s also important to remember that a jail pod isn’t a clean crime scene. It’s a busy place: guards, inmates, maintenance workers,” Pack stated.
Williams has requested all relevant parties to submit to fingerprinting and demanded surveillance footage from 90 cameras. “Even when video shows how the escape happened, crime scene photos and records help prove that the case was handled professionally and by the book,” Pack added. The escaped inmates included individuals facing serious charges, such as murder and domestic abuse.
Their escape was a brazen act, evidenced by messages like “Too easy LOL” left on the cell walls. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has not commented on the incident. Authorities have launched a comprehensive manhunt involving 200 officers from various agencies.
As of the latest updates, eight escapees have been recaptured, and 14 individuals face charges for assisting them. Among those charged from within the jail is Trevon Williams, who allegedly provided items to aid the escape. Arrests have also been made outside the jail, including those of individuals like Lenika Vanburen and Diamond White.
The investigation continues as law enforcement seeks to ensure accountability for the jailbreak. Pack emphasizes the importance of a meticulous approach to evidence collection to bolster the prosecution’s case. The incident highlights the challenges of managing large detention facilities and maintaining security protocols.
One ignores crime scene evidence and covers up the rest when one does not want to find it!