Surveillance video of murder fugitive’s escape from DeSoto Co. courthouse stolen, claims DA
HERNANDO, Miss. (WMC) - Desoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton claims video evidence of Joshua Zimmerman’s escape from the Hernando courthouse on Friday was stolen from his office’s server in what he calls a “conspiracy” and “cover-up.”
He alleges that the DA’s Office knows who did it, but would not identify the alleged thief.
Zimmerman, an accused murderer, was able to walk away from the courtroom last week.
DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II says Zimmerman did not have any help during his escape and that he does not have ties to DeSoto County. However, when DA Barton was asked if he believed someone helped Zimmerman escape, he said, “That is something the people are going to have to find out.”
After his escape, the sheriff says Zimmerman flagged down a Good Samaritan who gave him a ride to Memphis. Tuggle says the driver had no way of knowing Zimmerman was a fugitive.
His whereabouts are still unknown.
PRIOR COVERAGE
Barton says his office received surveillance footage of the escape Wednesday as a part of their own investigation, but when they went to review them, they were gone.
“It did not take long for us to uncover a conspiracy cover-up and an effort to suppress certain evidence regarding the escape of Joshua Zimmerman by some conspirators from an outside entity, not the State of Mississippi,” the DA said.
Sheriff Tuggle said he had “no comment at this time.”
Barton says a grand jury will be appointed to investigate the conditions and safety of the county courthouse.
Action News 5′s Griffin DeMarrais will have the latest developments at 5 p.m.
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