Reports released on prisoner escape

A 23-year-old Lorain man’s escape from police custody April 2, was an attempt at suicide by cop, according to police.

Authorities said Marshall T. Pitts, of Lorain, escaped from police custody as he and several other inmates were being transported at 4:50 p.m. from Lorain City Jail to the Lorain County Correctional Facility, as reported by The Morning Journal previously.

The Lorain Police Department released April 4 the supplemental narratives of jail official Fred Riley and transport Officer William Lachner, who were responsible for Pitts at the time.

According to Riley’s report, he was in the process of transporting five inmates to the transport van which was parked outside of the sally port doors.

As Pitts made his way around the side of the van, and out of Riley’s line of sight, he fled westbound toward First Street, Riley’s report says.

Riley states he “immediately advised” Lachner to call radio and advise of Pitts’ escape, as both men corralled the remaining inmates into the back of the van, according to his report.

Lachner then followed Pitts in his patrol car and apprehended Pitts “after a short chase,” Riley’s report says.

In Riley’s report, the jail official notes “after Pitts was secured, he made a statement to the effect that he wished the police had just shot him.”

Riley was advised by Lorain police Sgt. Robert Brown, the officer in charge the night of Pitts’ alleged escape, to note on Pitts’ anti suicide vest that the man who originally was charged with felony drug possession was a “potential suicide by cop.”

Discrepancies in reports

According to Lachner’s report, he and Riley were in the process of transporting eight inmates, when

Pitts fled.

This stands in contrast to the five inmates Riley mentioned in his report.

A perimeter was set up and Pitts was apprehended “a quarter mile” on West Erie Avenue by a road patrol officer, according to Lachner’s report.

This contradicts Riley’s claim Pitts was arrested by Lachner himself.

The escaped inmate then was transported back to the sally port and “re-secured” with a belly chain and shackles and transported to Lorain County Jail with the remainder of the inmates in custody, according to Lachner’s report.

Lachner’s report did not mention any knowledge of Pitts’ “suicide by cop” claim documented by Riley.

Pitts was charged with escape, a third-degree felony.

Currently, Pitts is lodged at the Lorain County Jail and awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for 1 p.m., April 10.

Police officials did not immediately return calls for comment on the reports.

In a previous interview with The Morning Journal, Lorain police Capt. Roger Watkins said the incident currently is under internal investigation and that there were a pair of “potential violations” of policy.

Watkins also said the fact the transport van was outside of the sally port at the time is an “item of concern.”

Pitts