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Jail trustee accidentally lets inmate escape while taking out trash

Officials don’t believe it was an intentional assist in the escape

By Mike Petchenik
WSBTV

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News has confirmed Fulton County Sheriff’s Office employees were disciplined following an inmate’s escape from the north county jail annex in Alpharetta last May.

Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik obtained exclusive surveillance video of Michael Shawn Wilson’s escape. Officers quickly captured the Marietta man at a nearby apartment complex.

“From what I understand, he literally came right through the woods behind my apartment,” said neighbor Barbara Holley. “I live alone and that is a little scary.”

A commander initially told Petchenik investigators believed a jail trusty taking out the trash propped open the door for Wilson, but officials later said they don’t believe that trusty intentionally aided in the escape.

Full story: Employees disciplined after inmate escapes Alpharetta jail