Escaped death row inmate found drunk

Escaped death row inmate, Charles Victor Thompson, has been found and captured by authorities. After three days on the run, Thompson was recaptured 200 miles away in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Police, acting on a tip received Sunday, found 35-year-old Thompson standing outside a liquor store drunk and talking on a pay phone.

The arrest ends a massive manhunt for Thompson, who was convicted in 1999 for the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend, Dennise Hayslip, 39, and her new boyfriend, Darren Keith Cain, 30.

Harris County Sheriff's Lt. John Martin says, "He never should have got out. To have him back in custody again, this is where he belongs. He was convicted of capital murder. He was twice sentenced to death. There is no scenario under which he should be free roaming around on the street."

Shreveport city Jail Supervisor Barry Newton reports Thompson is booked on charges of being a fugitive from the U.S. Marshals Service and a fugitive from Harris County. He is scheduled to appear before a magistrate Monday in Shreveport.

Thompson was sentenced to death Oct. 28 and was being held in the county jail until he could be transferred to a prison in Livingston, about 75 miles to the northeast.

Thompson escaped from custody Thursday using a smuggled set of clothes and a fake identification badge to get past guards. Martin admits his escape resulted from "multiple errors" by jail personnel, AHN reports.

Photo: the AP

V.Y.