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| Convicted Murderer Escapes From Jail - Again |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 09/19/2003 |
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A convicted murderer escaped from the Chaves County Detention Center in New Mexico Thursday. Juan Mendez, 35, escaped while in the recreation room of the jail, said Rob Coon, the chief deputy for the Chaves County Sheriff's Department. Mendez gained access to the roof and used his pants to scale down a wall. It was not immediately clear how he got over the razor-wire-topped fence surrounding the jail. Authorities from several agencies combed areas near the jail and around the city as they received tips and used tracking dogs. Mendez was serving a life sentence, which is 30 years, plus 18 years for murder, Coon said. He was convicted in May for his part in the slaying of another inmate at the Lea County Detention Center in January 1999. He was one of six inmates charged in the stabbing death of Robert Ortega. Mendez was sentenced in July. An attempt to transport him to the state penitentiary in Santa Fe later that month failed when Mendez escaped during a bathroom break. He was captured after a short chase. He was in the county jail while he awaited charges in connection with the July escape attempt. Coon said Mendez recently told Chaves County deputies who were transporting him that he would escape the first chance he could. Mendez's pants were found at the jail and were being used to help tracking dogs assist police. Mendez was originally in jail for aggravated auto burglary and possession of a deadly weapon. |
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