The Associated Press
BRISTOW, Okla. (AP) -- A man who escaped from Creek County District Court before he was to be plead guilty and be sentenced was still at large Thursday morning.
Raymond Lee Smith, 26, was about to receive a 10-year sentence for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon when he ran from the courtroom about 10:30 a.m., said Assistant District Attorney Don Nelson. He had agreed to plead guilty.
He had been released from leg chains binding him to other inmates so he could walk to the judge’s bench, Nelson said.
He walked to the bench, turned and ran through the courtroom, out a rear door and out a nearby exit.
Creek County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Brown chased Smith, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, for almost two blocks before losing him, said Sheriff Steve Toliver.
Law enforcement officers combed houses and garages hear the courthouse before turning their search to the city rodeo grounds and nearby woods, where Smith was reportedly seen, Toliver said.
The sheriff’s department increased patrols in the area on Wednesday night, a department employee said Wednesday.
Smith was to plead guilty to multiple counts from a June 1 incident. He fled from Bristow police during a car chase, was stopped by a cable barrier at a park exit and ran to the city golf course before being captured.
He was taken to a hospital for alleged injuries, and he bolted again, Nelson said.
Smith was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, two counts of malicious injury to property, escape from arrest and eluding police.