Following a mass escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility on May 16, a former FBI supervisory special agent has raised concerns about the handling of the crime scene. The sheriff’s office reportedly did not initiate an immediate investigation of the jail cell, which could jeopardize the prosecution of the escapees, according to Jason Pack.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams took an unusual step on Thursday by personally overseeing a team of NOPD crime scene technicians to collect evidence from the jail. Pack emphasized that the failure to document and preserve forensic evidence, such as DNA and fingerprints, could allow defense attorneys to argue that the investigation was incomplete or poorly executed.
Meanwhile, Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the jail, has been charged with aiding the escape. He is accused of turning off the water in the cell to allow the inmates to remove a toilet, facilitating their escape. Williams alleges that the inmates threatened him with violence if he did not assist them.
As the investigation progresses, 28 individuals have been arrested for aiding the escape, including several who provided transportation, food, and financial support to the fugitives. Law enforcement has made significant progress in recapturing the inmates, but some remain at large, raising concerns over the adequacy of the initial crime scene investigation.