David Sweat Pleads Guilty on Escape and Contraband Charges

“In each instance, each of the escapees was given the opportunity to surrender before law enforcement utilized the force that they were justified in using”, MacNeill wrote.

Sweat has been in solitary confinement at Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, NY since his capture, according to NBC affiliate WNYT in Albany. Sweat was captured after 23 days on the loose, with the ensuing manhunt costing the state at least $1 million a day. “Instead, he pointed a shotgun at the (Border Patrol) officer”. “Cook fired a second time, hitting Sweat again, who fell to the ground”.

The case could have been brought to a Franklin County grand jury, but MacNeill said there was no need to go that far, based on his determination that “it was clear there was no criminality involved”.

Matt and Sweat, both convicted murderers, escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora on June 6th, setting off an intense three week search. He’s pleaded not guilty. The charges each carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. Joyce Mitchell agreed to pay the same amount.

TWC News reported that Sweat pleaded guilty to two felony counts of first degree escape, and a felony count of promoting prison contraband.