A Calhoun man, who was an inmate, gained brief freedom after he jumped from the second floor of the Braxton County Courthouse, but he was recaptured 10 minutes later while still wearing shackles and one handcuff, according to court records.
Rusty "Buck" Morris, 28, of Chloe, is now charged with escape after the incident Tuesday.
Morris was picked up by deputies at the Braxton County Sheriff's Office at the Central Regional Jail, where he was being held on a felony charge of transferring and receiving stolen property, for a court appearance at Braxton County Circuit Court.
A bailiff allowed Morris to use the restroom next to the holding cell on the second floor of the courthouse. The complaint said Morris locked the bathroom door from the inside, opened the window and jumped out the second story.
Still in shackles and one handcuff, the defendant ran toward the Elk River. He was taken into custody by West Virginia troopers after about a 10-minute search. He was found in the river behind the Sutton Rite Aid.
Morris is currently being held at Central Regional Jail. |
