Joyce Mitchell’s Husband Shocked Over Prison Escape Plans
Lyle Mitchell, husband of Joyce Mitchell, the prison tailor accused of helping two men escape from a New York prison, says he is “blown away” by the lies his wife has told.
Both Joyce and Lyle Mitchell were employed as instructors at the Clinton Correctional Facility where the escaped men, Richard Matt and David Sweat, were reported missing on June 6. Both men were serving lengthy sentences for murder and have eluded authorities since their escape.
The investigation into the escape over the past week has shed light on the escape plot and Joyce Mitchell’s hefty involvement that included a plan to end the life of her husband, Lyle Mitchell.
The Oneida Dispatch reports that the escape plot included Joyce Mitchell being the getaway driver. Once picked up, the plan was to drive to her home where Lyle would be killed. After a bout of panic, Joyce Mitchell backed out of the plan and did not pick the escapees up.
Andrew Wylie, Clinton County district attorney gave a statement.
“Joyce Mitchell tells us that was discussed between her and Matt and that upon their escape they were going to return back to Joyce Mitchell’s home at which time Matt and Sweat were going to kill her husband.”
Mitchell was in an alleged sexual relationship with Matt and had previously been investigated for having a sexual relationship with Sweat prior to the escape.
Lyle visited his wife on Tuesday for the first time since her arrest. He has no plans to visit her again. It is doubtful that he will testify on her behalf in court.
According to CNN, Lyle’s attorney, Peter Dumas, said that Lyle was devastated that his wife and best friend for the last 21 years had taken part in the escape and had planned to have him murdered.
Dumas spoke for his client.
“She doesn’t want Lyle hurt, they start threatening her saying we’re going to have someone hurt him, anyone. Hurt him in the facility or go to the house and hurt him. You’ve got to help us out. It gets to the day of the escape and she goes to the hospital with chest pains.”
It is alleged that Joyce Mitchell provided tools including hacksaws to cut through the walls of the prison during the escape. She has plead not guilty to charges.
Sweat and Matt have managed to elude officials for 14 days since the escape and have been placed on the U.S. Marshal Service’s 15 Most Wanted Fugitive list, list reserved for the worst of criminals.
The prison was on lockdown for 13 days until Thursday. They are scheduled to begin allowing visitors to the prison on Friday, June 19.
Lyle Mitchell has cooperated with authorities and is not facing any charges in the prison escape.
[Photo Courtesy of the New York State Police & Pool/Getty Images]
