South Carolina residents may be interested to learn about the recent failed prison escape in neighboring North Carolina. Authorities said that four men attempted to breakout from the Pasquotank Correctional Institution, killing a correctional officer and vocational worker in the process. The four prisoners were charged with murder on Oct. 20.
The inmates allegedly set a fire inside the sewing plant with the intention of creating a diversion that would allow them to climb over the fences that lined the prison. In addition to the two employees who were killed, two others also suffered serious injuries in the incident. They were reportedly in critical condition. Authorities said that others had suffered slashing or stabbing wounds. Four inmates and 10 other employees were injured.
The accused inmates were identified as a 28-year-old man, a 29-year-old man, a 30-year-old man and a 33-year-old man. Although they were already charged with two counts of first-degree murder, authorities said that additional charges could be pending. All four inmates were doing time for serious crimes, including murder, burglary, assaulting an officer and attempted murder.
Those accused of committing violent crimes, including murder, could face decades or even life in prison if they are convicted. Even if they are given the opportunity to get parole later on in life, they may find it difficult to find gainful employment, housing and other opportunities. A criminal law attorney may launch an independent investigation into the case and look for flaws in the prosecution’s case. The attorney might consider a variety of different viable defenses depending on the situation surrounding the alleged incident. In some cases, the lawyer could argue that there is a lack of evidence connecting the defendant to the crime.
