BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Years before Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility, he broke out of a detention facility in Western New York, court documents show.

A murder here in Niagara County back in 1997 originally landed Matt in the Clinton Correctional Facility. In 2008, he was convicted of robbing, kidnapping and murdering William Rickerson Sr., and sentenced to serve 25 years to life in prison.

His co-defendant, Lee Bates, pleaded guilty to second degree murder, and was sentenced to 15 years to life based on his cooperation.

Bates told investigators Matt was working for Rickerson, a food broker, and was stealing from him. Bates said Matt would complain how much money Rickerson made and how little he was paid. 

In Dec. 1997, Bates said he drove Matt to Rickerson's North Tonawanda home, where Matt demanded money. Bates said Matt punched Rickerson, who fell down stairs, and searched his home for hidden money. After beating him with a knife sharpener, Bates said Matt tied Rickerson up with tape and put him in Bates' trunk.

It was then, Bates said, they began an extensive road trip with Matt directing him along the way. Bates said during the drive, Matt ordered him to pull over, and Matt beat Rickerson, who Bates eventually presumed was dead.  Bates said Matt directed him to Tonawanda Island, where he dumped Rickerson's body.

Weeks later, Bates said Matt told him he cut Rickerson's body into pieces, throwing some into the river. 

Following his conviction, Matt filed a motion to have it vacated, alleging he was denied due process because he had to wear a stun belt throughout the trial. The district attorney's office said that was because Matt had a history of violence.

The district attorney's office also said Matt had previously escaped from a detention facility in the town of Alden. 

Matt sent a letter to a Niagara County Court judge from prison regarding his motion. In the letter, he said he killed a man in Mexico who was trying to rob him at knife point. He said he served 9 years before returning to the U.S., where he was prosecuted for Rickerson's death. Matt claimed he never robbed, kidnapped or killed Rickerson.

However, his motion was denied, and he remained in custody for Rickerson's murder until his escape this weekend.