Texas fugitive says break-out was easy

LIVINGSTON, Texas, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A convicted double killer in Texas who walked out of jail in civilian clothes last month says it was a breeze because the Houston jail guards were lazy.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Charles Thompson said although guards confiscated a set of civilian clothes from him four days after he arrived at the Houston jail, he was able to get a second set, which he concealed in a legal binder.

Thompson, 35, was sentenced to die in 1999 for the murders of his ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend.

"The day you're sentenced to death, (escaping) is on your mind, regularly. You know you're going to die," Thompson said. "The guards are lazy -- they don't want to have to handle you and cuff you."

On Nov. 3, he walked out of the jail unchallenged, but was captured in Shreveport, La., four days later.

Lt. John Martin, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriff's Office said part of the response to the break was the firing of a 12-year veteran guard.

"After our investigation, the sheriff announced the disciplinary action taken, so we're pretty much through discussing the Thompson escape," he said.