Escape Artist

[James T]

Hi, I have looked through this board but cannot see anything about a case that interested me when I saw it, it would have aired sometime in the early-mid nineties(sadly Sky stopped showing new episodes around this time) and was about a man who I seem to remember they dubbed Houdini for his ability to escape from custody- I think he may have been born in France, the police were transporting him to another jail and he somehow got the key to his cuffs away from the officer who was in charge of him and escaped from the car while they were stuck in traffic I seem to remember he had an acomplice who helped him get away, does anybody have any details please?

[Kane]

Originally Posted by James T

Hi, I have looked through this board but cannot see anything about a case that interested me when I saw it, it would have aired sometime in the early-mid nineties(sadly Sky stopped showing new episodes around this time) and was about a man who I seem to remember they dubbed Houdini for his ability to escape from custody- I think he may have been born in France, the police were transporting him to another jail and he somehow got the key to his cuffs away from the officer who was in charge of him and escaped from the car while they were stuck in traffic I seem to remember he had an acomplice who helped him get away, does anybody have any details please?

I know who you're talking about, although I don't know the spelling of the surname (kind of a challenging name). He was serviving time for the 1977 attempted murder of a police officer in Springfield, Massachusetts. The segment aired during the 1988-89 season, and the man was captured shortly afterwards. (Although I can't say with 100 percent certainty, he might have since been paroled.) Fortunately, the convict who escaped with him in 1985 only stayed on the run for a very short time, since he was quickly recaptured.

[justins5256]

Originally Posted by Kane

I know who you're talking about, although I don't know the spelling of the surname (kind of a challenging name). He was serviving time for the 1977 attempted murder of a police officer in Springfield, Massachusetts. The segment aired during the 1988-89 season, and the man was captured shortly afterwards. (Although I can't say with 100 percent certainty, he might have since been paroled.) Fortunately, the convict who escaped with him in 1985 only stayed on the run for a very short time, since he was quickly recaptured.

It was Jean Marie Gagnon. His story was profiled on the original 90 minute Alcatraz special, and he was captured some time later that week, with a lengthy update airing the following week. He was paroled in 1995.

[mphs95]

You're talking about Jean Marie Gagnon from Quebec. I don't remember the other guy's name, but I think he was from Quebec also. I know Gagnon did get paroled in the 1990s. I got that from Lifetime, of all areas when they did an update. Hope this helps. This would be a cool one for Crystaldawn should she do a Vol 2 of her UM DVD. The first I recommend to anyone.

[James T]

Thanks to all three of you, I wasn't sure anyone else would remember this one, I think I must have seen a repeat some years after it aired originally and I never saw the update

[skunk ape]

Originally Posted by justins5256

It was Jean Marie Gagnon. His story was profiled on the original 90 minute Alcatraz special, and he was captured some time later that week, with a lengthy update airing the following week. He was paroled in 1995.

Boy, that brought me back. I remember that episode when it first aired. I wonder what happened to those men who escaped Alcatraz for real.