West Virginia murder suspect escapes from custody

WESTON, W.Va., March 24 (UPI) -- A West Virginia homicide suspect escaped from custody while undergoing a mental evaluation, authorities said.

Police said Rocco Zuccaro, 30, of Burgettstown, Pa., scaled a wall at William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital in Weston, W.Va. and escaped. He was undergoing a mental evaluation, authorities said.

Brooke County Sheriff Chuck Jackson suspects Zuccaro is fleeing the area.

"He is very capable of cognitive thought. He is very capable of planning. If he's out on the run, he's very capable of making his way through the woods, and stealing clothing, or whatever he needs to do," Jackson said.

Zuccaro is accused in the 2013 shooting death of Jason Lee Pratz, 30. Last month he was found incompetent to stand trial. He is about six feet tall, weighs 175 pounds and was last seen wearing ripped black pants, a dark blue or black pullover shirt and glasses. He has dark hair and a mustache.