BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Authorities say an inmate who killed two bailiffs during a July 11 escape attempt from a southwestern Michigan courthouse wrote a letter to his ex-wife explaining that he was “going on the run” or would “die trying.”
Details of the letter by 44-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon, as well as video and audio from courthouse cameras were revealed Friday during a news conference in Benton Harbor.
The letter was found after a search of the Berrien County Jail unit where Gordon was housed.
The sheriff’s office has said investigators were still conducting interviews and gathering information and evidence from the July 11 shooting in Berrien County Circuit Court in St. Joseph.
Authorities have said a handcuffed 44-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon disarmed Deputy James Atterberry Jr. during a fight and wounded him. Bailiffs Ronald Kienzle and Joseph Zangaro were shot and killed in a public hallway.
A woman also was shot in the arm. Hostages were briefly taken before Gordon was fatally shot by other bailiffs.
Gordon was facing possible life in prison on rape and kidnapping charges involving a 17-year-old girl.
Page one of Larry Gordon’s letter to his ex wife @ABC57News pic.twitter.com/FryfxySBhG
— Caleigh Bourgeois (@CaleighReports) July 22, 2016
Page 2 of Larry Gordon’s letter to his ex pic.twitter.com/hzpluB6btW
— Caleigh Bourgeois (@CaleighReports) July 22, 2016
Page three of Larry Gordon’s letter to his ex pic.twitter.com/1K5kVGULps
— Caleigh Bourgeois (@CaleighReports) July 22, 2016
