It is strange. We always had two officers when transporting an inmate. On outside transports, two officers were required. One carried, the other didn't. Usually the officer driving the vehicle didn't carry the weapon. Inmates were always fully restrained: handcuffs, leg irons, waist chain, padlocked blackbox to keep cuffed hands in rigid position. If the inmate was male, at least one of the transporting officers HAD to be a male. I'm a female and worked 23+ years in all-male facilities in the NYS prison system...uniformed staff, first as an officer and then as a Sergeant for last 13 years of my career.
From the DA interview didn't think the female officer was alone with him while he was changing....but then again it's been a confusing day...They emphasised extra protection had be requested and granted......SO what happened...How did he get by EVERYONE? Down 8 floors and out the building to the parking garage without people seeing or trying to stop him?
Thanks for the info--it certainly makes sense. I'll bet you have bundles of interesting stories from your career!
Since he was well over 200 pounds and she was 5 ft. tall 51 yr. old woman, there was the possibility of him overpowering her on the skywalk towards the courtroom.
He took his opportunity before they began their walk.