A convicted cop killer who was serving life behind bars when he staged a daring escape from a maximum-security prison pleaded guilty Friday to criminal charges for the breakout, reports the Associated Press.
District Attorney Andrew Wylie said $79,841 in restitution will also be sought from David Sweat for repairs to the prison, jointly with former prison worker Joyce Mitchell. She pleaded guilty to helping Sweat and his accomplice break out of Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York on June 6.
Wylie also cautioned that Sweat can't profit from selling his story about the breakout and three-week manhunt, invoking the state's Son of Sam law that prohibits it.
Sweat pleaded guilty to two felony counts of first-degree escape and a felony count of promoting prison contraband for possessing hacksaw blades used to cut his way out. Each carries a sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison. Wylie has said these new convictions could mean more difficult prison time for Sweat, with fewer privileges and solitary confinement. He had been on an honor block along with fellow escapee Richard Matt with special privileges at Clinton.
