Dec 20, 2007 6:49 pm US/Eastern
Accused Murderer's Escape Attempt Not Admissible
ELLICOT CITY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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After a brazen attempt to escape from a Howard County Courtroom, an accused murderer learns whether it can be used against him in court.
After a brazen attempt to escape from a Howard County Courtroom, an accused murderer learns whether it can be used against him in court.
Jessica Kartalija reports, the judge decided the escape can not be used in the case.
It was inside a room at the Howard County Courthouse where Brandon Morris tried to escape.
Morris is on trial for the murder of Correctional Officer Jeffrey Wroten who was guarding Morris' hospital room in January, 2006.
Officers believe he slipped out of wrist and leg cuffs, overpowered Wroten, shot the officer in the face with his own gun took off on foot, hijacked a taxi driver at gunpoint, then final led police on a five mile car chase.
In May of 2007, half way through jury selection, witnesses say Morris lunged past an officer and headed for the door.
An armed deputy tackled him shouting "gun" sending more than a hundred people in the courtroom to the floor ducking for cover.
"It was a struggle putting him down on the ground. Whenever there is an armed officer involved the word is to yell 'gun' to warn deputies that there is possibly involved," said one officer.
Two jurors were slightly injured in the scuffle and treated on the scene, but now a judge decides Morris' attempt at freedom won't be admissible in court saying it creates additional prejudice against the defendant.
There will be several measures in place during his trial. Morris will wear a stun belt and a leg brace.
Morris appeared for a hearing Thursday.
Additional deputies were called in, and they were strategically placed around the courtroom just in case he tried to get away again.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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