Death-row escapee caught

last updated 8 January 2015

Shreveport, La.

A double murderer escaped from death row in Texas last week by putting on civilian clothes and walking past guards. Charles Victor Thompson was captured three days later in neighboring Louisiana, while making a phone call outside a liquor store. His escape caused major embarrassment for Houston prison officials, who admitted it was the result of “100 percent human error.” Thompson, 35, escaped after meeting with an accomplice he claimed was a lawyer. After the meeting, Thompson changed out of his prison jumpsuit into khaki pants and a blue shirt. He then strolled out of the meeting room past four prison employees and out into the street.