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NEW: Sweat, 35, is hospitalized in serious condition in Albany, the state capital
He reportedly told investigators that Gene Palmer, a prison guard, was not involved in the escape
Sweat tells investigators he and Matt planned to go to Mexico, New York governor tells radio program
David Sweat and Richard Matt planned to head to Mexico after busting out of Clinton Correctional Facility more than three weeks ago, but had to improvise after the prison tailor accused of aiding them failed to show up to give them a ride, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday, citing statements reportedly made by Sweat to investigators.
“They would kill (tailor Joyce) Mitchell’s husband, and then get in the car and drive to Mexico on the theory that Mitchell was in love with one or both of them,” Cuomo told “The Capitol Pressroom” radio program. “And then they would go live happily ever after, which is a fairy tale that I wasn’t read as a child. But we all believe what we want to believe.”
Prison worker Joyce Mitchell is accused by authorities of helping Matt and Sweat in their escape.
But when Mitchell failed to show up, the pair had to improvise and instead headed north, toward Canada, Cuomo said.
According to Sweat, he and Matt were together until five days ago when Sweat said he decided to go on his own because the older inmate was slowing him down, Cuomo said.
A New York state trooper captured Sweat on Sunday after firing two shots at the fleeing escapee. Sweat, 35, is hospitalized in serious condition in Albany, the state capital.
Matt, 49, died Friday when police encountered him near Malone, New York, and fired on him.
On Sunday, New York State Police Sgt. Jay Cook spotted Sweat near a barn in the sleepy New York town of Constable. Sweat bolted, and the officer gave chase.