Posted on 08/09/2005 1:58:31 PM PDT by Abathar
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Reuters) - A former prison nurse opened fire on guards escorting her shackled husband from a Tennessee courthouse on Tuesday, killing one guard and escaping with her husband in a sport utility vehicle, authorities said.
Convict George Hyatte, 34, shouted "shoot 'em" to wife Jennifer Hyatte, 31, and she opened fire with at least six shots from a handgun, scattering dozens of witnesses outside the Roane County courthouse in Kingston, Kingston Police Chief Jim Washam said.
Three bullets struck guard Wayne "Cotton" Morgan, 56, who died at a hospital.
Morgan was one of two guards escorting the shackled and handcuffed Hyatte back to a prison van in the courthouse parking lot following his arraignment on aggravated burglary charges.
Hyatte climbed into the SUV being driven by his wife and the two sped off while a guard returned fire. The vehicle was found nearby with three bullet holes and blood on the driver's side, indicating Jennifer Hyatte may have been wounded, Washam said.
George Hyatte was in court to be tried on an outstanding burglary charge. He had served two years of a 35-year sentence for robbery and assault convictions.
Jennifer Hyatte was once a nurse under contract to the Tennessee Department of Corrections in Tiptonville, but her contract was terminated when she struck up a relationship with inmate George Hyatte, according to a department spokeswoman.
"There is a complete and thorough manhunt for the escapee and his wife Jennifer," Amanda Sluss said.
Kingston is 35 miles west of Knoxville in eastern Tennessee.
Mrs. Soffel?
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
Hang down your head, Jen Hyatte;
Hang down your head and cry.
Hang down your head, Jen Hyatte;
Dumb gal you're gonna die...
I certainly hope that Jennifer is wounded and in as much pain as the family of the slain officer.
Richard Conte as George Hyatte...
She obviously planned this out, did she think they were going to get away? Remind me to double check my medication if I ever get hospitalized in Tn.
My heart goes out to the family of the slain guard.
I don't see how this can happen after the incident in GA. Don't they have any security at this courthouse?
To me, it looks like both of them are ripe for the death penalty, though. She pulled the trigger. He gave the order.
I mourn for Mr. Morgan, doing his duty protecting society, and killed by these two future lifers.
I also think that someone should have had the alertness to keep track of where this nutty former nurse was.
I think they need to bring back the gallows for this pair - in case the public stoning doesn't finish them off.
This thread needs to have the perps' pictures posted on it.
They are still at large, and might be spotted (and be
a threat to) readers of this forum.
I know, I was looking for pictures of the two.
Cue the Bonnie & Clyde banjo theme "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"
What is it with women and prisoners?
If someone is determined to commit a crime, there is little that can be done to stop them. People find a way.
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