NY Inmate behind Massive Manhunt gets Sentenced for Prison Escape

By Cheri Cheng - 03 Feb '16 15:09PM

David Sweat, the New York inmate who escaped from prison and sparked a three-week long manhunt, has been sentenced to more time in jail.

Judge Patrick McGill revealed on Wednesday that the 35-year-old prisoner will be getting an additional three and half to seven years on top of his original sentence of life without parole for killing a sheriff's deputy. Sweat apologized prior to the judge's announcement of his verdict.

"I would like to apologize to the community, the people who felt the fear and felt it necessary to leave their homes and their community because of the escape," said Sweat, who was dressed in green prison garment. "That was never my intent and I deeply apologize for that."

While at the Clinton County Court, Sweat's lawyer, Joseph Mucia, had tried to appeal to the judge by detailing all of the things Sweat did to prevent Richard Matt, the inmate he escaped with, from taking hostages and hurting people.

"I would say Mr. Sweat saved some lives," Mucia argued. "He is remorseful ... He apologizes for the fear."

McGill, however, did not buy any of Sweat and Mucia's words.

McGill also ordered Sweat to pay $79,84. The money will be used to repair the damages he and Matt caused during his escape, which has been compared to "The Shawshank Redemption."

Sweat escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility located in Dannemora, New York on June 6 with Matt, 49. Toward the end of the search, when the police were able to locate the inmates, Matt, who was serving 25 years for killing and dismembering one of his former bosses, was fatally killed by the police in a confrontation. The police then re-captured Sweat two days later as he was trying to flee to Canada.

During the investigation, the police uncovered that the men had the help of prison seamstress Joyce Mitchell, who has since pled guilty. Mitchell is currently serving a seven-year sentence. Prosecutors are also in the middle of a plea deal with Corrections Officer Gene Palmer, who is believed to have contributed to the escape.