Prison Officer Arrested in Escape Plot

New York corrections officer Gene Palmer was arrested Wednesday in connection with the escape of two convicted murderers from the upstate Clinton Correctional Facility. Palmer was charged with promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence, and official misconduct. He is accused of conspiring with prison worker Joyce Mitchell to smuggle tools into frozen hamburger meat brought into the prison. Palmer’s lawyer, Andrew Brockway, said his client had no knowledge of the hidden tools and plans to plead not guilty. The two murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat, have evaded authorities since they escaped on June 6.