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Five Idaho Prisoners Break Out Inmates Cut Way Out Of Louisiana Prison

Associated Press

Five Idaho inmates, including two convicted murderers, escaped Thursday night from the privately run Basile Detention Center in rural southwestern Louisiana. Two of the men, including one of the murderers, were recaptured about two hours later.

The Idaho Department of Correction said the inmates cut their way through two chain-link fences at the prison, where 300 medium- and minimum-custody Idaho inmates were sent earlier this year to free up space in Idaho’s crowded system.

The escapees apparently used wire cutters.

“We’re not sure how they got the wire cutters, but we do have some construction going on,” said Floyd Antley, operations manager for Louisiana Correction Services.

The escape occurred about 6:15 p.m. MDT. Two of the inmates - Michael J. Copenhaver and Leroy Dale James - were captured by 8:30 p.m. MDT, according to a statement issued by the Correction Department.

A manhunt was under way for the three other escapees - all wearing bright orange jumpsuits - late Thursday by prison officials, the Basile and Eunice police departments, the Envangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police.

Still at large were:

Roger Dale Babb, 41, serving 20 years to life in prison for a 1992 first-degree murder conviction in Latah County. He was eligible for parole in April 2011.

Kallahan Lee Ziegler, 24, serving five to 15 years for a 1993 Kootenai County conviction on a charge of sexually abusing a minor under 16. He was eligible for parole in August 1998.

David Lloyd George, 36, serving five to 15 years for a 1992 rape conviction in Ada County.

The two men captured Thursday night were:

Michael J. Copenhaver, 21, serving 25 years to life in prison for a 1994 first-degree murder conviction in Bonneville County. He was eligible for parole in May 2019.

Leroy Dale James, 29, incarcerated on two counts of burglary, one count of grand theft and one count of grand theft by possession of stolen property in Ada County. He was eligible for parole in October 1999.