On the same day officials announced the lockdown at Clinton Correctional Facility will be lifted, the attorney representing the husband of the alleged accomplice spoke publicly. Matt Hunter talked with Lyle Mitchell's lawyer and has more on the new light being shed on the case.
DANNEMORA, N.Y. -- Several days after learning his own wife was involved in an alleged plot with two escaped inmates to take his life, Lyle Mitchell had the chance to sit face-to-face with his wife, Joyce, inside the Clinton County Jail earlier this week.
"The rug was pulled out from underneath him. His whole life got turned upside down," said Peter Dumas, Lyle Mitchell's attorney. "I think he believes his wife did not want him killed. I believe that he believes that she did get manipulated by them but also that in order for the water to get in, there has to be a crack."
Last Friday, Joyce Mitchell was charged as an accomplice in Richard Matt and David Sweat's escape plan.
Speaking outside the Franklin County Courthouse Thursday, Lyle's lawyer, Peter Dumas, said his client most recently met with police Wednesday.
"Lyle is being completely cooperative. He has told the police on a number of occasions everything he knows," Dumas said.
Both Mitchells are long-time prison employees and each interacted with Sweat and Matt through their work.
"He described these two individuals in the prison setting as 'respectful,'" Dumas said.
Dumas says Lyle was aware Joyce and Sweat were investigated for having inappropriate contact years earlier.
"She denied it and he trusts her, or trusted her at that point in time," said Dumas. "He also knows it is just irretrievable at this point."
Despite those possible early signs, Dumas maintained Lyle had no knowledge of the escape or murder plots.
"He is asking himself the same question: How could I not have seen some of this? How could I not have known this was going on?" he said.
Dumas said in no way is Lyle supporting Joyce in her legal battle, which could result in an up to seven-year prison sentence. Realizing his marriage is over, he says his client simply wants to go back to work.
"He wants to get back to his life, he wants to get back to his job, his family, his friends. He just wants to live simply and normally the way he was beforehand," said Dumas.
As for the manhunt, it has reached day 13 with authorities getting no clear indication whether the two inmates are nearby or out of the area.
Sources tell Time Warner Cable News that after the number of law enforcement on the ground was reduced earlier this week, current staffing levels will remain steady through the weekend and then be re-evaluated.