The Orleans Parish district attorney criticized the sheriff of the county for not initiating a crime scene investigation following the escape of 10 inmates from the New Orleans prison.
During a press conference on Thursday, District Attorney Jason Williams stated that he was informed by New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick that Sheriff Susan Hutson did not request a formal crime scene investigation at the jail cell used by the 10 escaped inmates.
“It is crucial to act swiftly to preserve DNA samples and fingerprints before they are tampered with,” he informed the media. “I am troubled by the delay in the sheriff’s request to our local crime lab for an examination to document and secure all forensic evidence from the scene for testing.”
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson arrives for a City Council meeting at City Hall in New Orleans on Tuesday after 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center last week. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate)
He has also demanded that the sheriff’s office preserve and turn over all surveillance footage from the jail from April 1 until Wednesday, as well as any other pertinent investigatory materials.
It has been nearly a week since 10 inmates, some wanted for violent crimes like murder, brazenly escaped from their cell and over the jail’s fence into the New Orleans community. They taunted authorities on the way out with written messages on the cell wall, including one that read, “To easy LOL.”
Five of those inmates, including Derrick Groves, who is a convicted killer of four people, are still on the loose.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) announced that two more people were arrested for aiding the inmates after they escaped.
Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste of Slidell were arrested for assisting the fugitives. They are also being held at the Plaquemines County Jail.
On Thursday afternoon, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on X that Harris’ bond was set at $2.5 million and Baptiste’s at $1 million.
“You will be arrested and prosecuted if you assist these escapees in any way,” she warned in the post.
Sources close to the investigation told Fox News that Baptiste was Corey Boyd‘s girlfriend. She allegedly did not cooperate with the police and said she did not participate in the escape. Boyd was captured by LSP on Tuesday night.
Louisiana State Police arrest escaped inmate Corey Boyd. (Louisiana State Police)
Harris, who is Leo Tate’s girlfriend, allegedly admitted to her role in aiding the escapees, and gave a confession, according to the sources. Tate is still on the run.
Boyd, 19, who was facing charges of second-degree murder before the escape, was the latest inmate captured. He was taken into custody on Tuesday night.
