Recaptured escapee attempts suicide
KINGMAN, Ariz. -- A state prison escapee recaptured after a 20-day nationwide manhunt attempted suicide in his Mohave County jail cell, according to local officials.
Kingman Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Jamie Taylor said John McCluskey, 45, was rushed to the hospital at 8 a.m. Tuesday and underwent surgery.
Sheriff's office spokeswoman Trish Carter said McCluskey used a plastic razor to slash his neck and forearm.
"The lacerations were serious, but considered to be nonlife-threatening," Carter said.
She said McCluskey's wounds were surgically sutured. Taylor said McCluskey was released from the hospital shortly before 3 p.m.
Security was tight at the hospital.
"There was high security here, probably a dozen sheriff's deputies with him at all times, plus all of our security as well," Taylor said.
McCluskey and two other inmates, with the aid of an outside accomplice, Casslyn Welch, broke out of the state prison in Golden Valley on July 30, authorities say. Escapee Tracy Province, was arrested Aug. 9 in Wyoming. A third inmate, Daniel Renwick, was captured in Colorado on Aug. 1.
McCluskey and Welch were captured Thursday at a campground in northeastern Arizona. McCluskey was transported to Kingman over the weekend and arraigned on charges Monday.
Federal authorities on Monday released documents indicating McCluskey admitted shooting and killing an Oklahoma couple in New Mexico two days after the prison break.
McCluskey and Welch, his fiancee and cousin, have been charged with murder and carjacking in the deaths of an Oklahoma couple in New Mexico, according to a criminal complaint.
According to the complaint, McCluskey told investigators he fired the shots that killed Gary and Linda Haas and wanted to kill two tractor-trailer drivers kidnapped in Kingman but was outvoted by Welch and Province.
McCluskey, Province and Welch pleaded not guilty Monday to escape charges, as well as kidnapping, aggravated assault and armed robbery. They are being held on a $1 million bond.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
