"American citizen tries to escape a Namibian prison" Associated Press November 04, 2014
JOHANNESBURG — An American citizen attempted to escape from a prison in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, but was caught, the country’s press agency said Monday.
The Namibian Press Agency reported that Los Angeles native Marcus Kevin Tomas climbed a tree inside the Windhoek Central Prison and tried to jump over the barbed wire fence but instead landed on top of the fence.
Prison authorities told the press agency that they found Tomas hanging from the barbed fence and called emergency medical services to remove him.
The agency said Tomas had injuries on his upper body and feet and was taken to a local hospital. Officials told the agency that Tomas was found with a mobile phone, wire cutting tools, and a map from Windhoek to the coastal town of Swakopmund, which is about 220 miles away.
Tomas and another American national Kevin Townsend were charged with the killing of a Namibian citizen, Andre Heckmair.
According to local media, the men were arrested in 2011 and charged with murder, robbery, and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Tomas now also faces charges of escaping police custody.
Tomas and Townsend are yet to stand trial and were not granted bail. The US Embassy in Namibia would not comment on the ongoing case.
Townsend, a New York native, is reported to be a student while Tomas is self-employed, according to the Namibian press agency.
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