Guard freed; served 4 months for role in NY prison break
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – A former corrections officer who inadvertently helped two killers escape from a northern New York prison is free after serving four months in a county jail.
Gene Palmer was released Monday after serving two-thirds of his six-month sentence. He declined to comment to reporters outside the jail.
The 58-year-old Palmer admitted providing Richard Matt and David Sweat with tools, paint and access to a catwalk electrical box at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. But he said he never knew they planned to break out.
Palmer gave the inmates frozen hamburger containing the hacksaw blade they used to escape. He was convicted of promoting prison contraband, tampering with evidence and official misconduct.
After a three-week manhunt last summer, Matt was shot and killed. Sweat was wounded and caught.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.