An Oregon murder suspect escaped a courtroom last month after deputies had unshackled him for his court appearance — as required by state law.
Edi Villalobos, 28, was accused of stabbing two man in April 2021, killing one of them, and appeared in court last month for jury selection ahead of his trial, KGW reported.
On February 27, deputies escorted Villalobos back into the courtroom after a bathroom break and removed the restraints from his hands and legs. In security video released by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the defendant suddenly darts for the door at the back of the courtroom, with the startled deputies behind him.
The video shows his sprint down a hall and through several doors, before he exits the building through an employee entrance. The two deputies are not far behind, but he apparently managed to elude them once outside. Villalobos got away twice more when he was spotted and pursued.
He was captured about two hours later when the sheriff’s office got a tip that someone was trying to break into an unoccupied apartment. Deputies arrived on scene and found Villalobos hiding in a closet in a bedroom.
The murder trial has been suspended and rescheduled for late September, with two counts of burglary and one count of escape added to the charges.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Danny DiPietro said the agency is reviewing the incident.
“Lessons learned will be addressed through training,” he said. “Additionally, our March in-service training has begun and already includes training based on the escape that occurred on February 27.”
DiPietro noted that while state law requires removal of restraints during court proceedings, prosecutors can ask the court to allow them to remain if there is a security risk.
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[Featured image: Washington County Sheriff’s Office via KGW]
