Metro
Man casually walks out of courtroom, escapes without anyone looking (Video)
In a daring act that left authorities baffled, Joey Watts managed to escape from a courtroom in Arkansas after being found guilty of charges including aggravated assault and felony possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred at the Grant County Courthouse in Sheridan when Watts, awaiting the final verdict from the jury on the firearms charges, simply got up and walked out of the courtroom unnoticed.
A video that surfaced online captured the audacious escape, revealing the lack of court officials or bailiffs attentively monitoring the proceedings.
Watts took advantage of the situation and casually sauntered out of the courthouse undetected.
The shocking getaway prompted an immediate manhunt by the authorities.
After an intensive search, police apprehended Watts a day later and promptly returned him to custody. Additionally, three individuals were arrested for their involvement in aiding his escape.
Deputy Prosecutor Norman Frisby, responsible for prosecuting the case, expressed his astonishment at Watts’ actions, stating that despite his attorney’s advice to remain in the courtroom, the defendant disregarded the instructions and simply stood up and left.
Frisby provided further details on the charges against Watts, explaining that he had been accused of threatening a woman with a shotgun in his home on November 29, 2018.
The incident captured on tape occurred a year later in October 2019. The footage reveals Watts seated in the courtroom, before boldly standing up and proceeding to exit the premises.
He made his way towards the stairs, down the hallway, and ultimately exited the building through a door.
Watch the video below:
Guilty defendant casually walks out of courtroom to freedom when nobody is looking 👀 pic.twitter.com/XVv2GdgXna
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 8, 2023
When asked how this was allowed to happen, Grant County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Pete Roberts told NBC News: “He was out on bond and had not been convicted so this allowed him to move around.”
Frisby added that there wasn’t a second bailiff around to stop him leaving.
He explained that at the time, Grant County only had one bailiff and was hiring for another.
After his rearrest, the jury eventually gave a verdict and Watts was sentenced to 36 years in prison, with 10 years for the assault and 26 years for possession of the firearm.
No additional charges were brought against him for his courtroom escape.
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