Suspect in Courson Murder Charged w/Last Week's Clay County Jail Attempted Escape

One of the three men charged with the murder of Roger Courson of rural Edgewood in September has been charged with the attempted escape from Clay County Jail last week.

30-year-old Walter West of Edgewood was charged Tuesday with escape of felon from a penal institution. 

The incident occurred on December 23 as West was being returned to his cell from a visiting booth. West ran from the jail. He was pursued east of the jail to an area along the Little Wabash River approximately 100 yards from the jail. 

Clay County Sheriff Andy Myers and deputies established a perimeter in the area and requested assistance from other agencies. West was located about 15 minutes later under a root wad by the deputy who had initially pursued him. West was taken into custody without further incident.

An evidentiary hearing was held on Wednesday as prosecutors sought to consume some physical evidence in the furtherance of the case. Attorneys for Gallatin and West had no objection to the test, but Charlton's attorney wants a further hearing. That hearing has been set for January 7.

Pre-trial hearings were set for Gallatin and West for January 31. Trial dates have not been set for any of the three defendants.