Escaped NY Prison Inmate David Sweat Seen in Court for the First Time Since Capture

The surviving member of the pair of prison escapees appeared in court today.

ByABC News
August 20, 2015, 1:52 PM

— -- The convict who escaped from a maximum security prison in upstate New York, triggering a massive manhunt, appeared in court for the first time since his capture.

David Sweat had his right arm in a sling when he appeared in court in upstate New York this morning.

PHOTO: Convicted murderer David Sweat appears outside of court on Aug. 20, 2015 for his arraignment on charges related to his escape from prison in June.
Convicted murderer David Sweat appears outside of court on Aug. 20, 2015 for his arraignment on charges related to his escape from prison in June.

Sweat and fellow inmate Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, on June 6. Matt was fatally shot by authorities 20 days later and Sweat was caught 23 days after they escaped. Sweat was shot twice but survived.

Today, the court entered a not-guilty plea for Sweat on two counts of escape in the first degree and one count of promotion of prison contraband for his possession of a hacksaw that was found in the cell.

The last time he was seen publicly was when he was photographed at the scene of the capture, seated on the ground and bloodied.

PHOTO: Police stand over David Sweat after he was shot and captured near the Canadian border Sunday, June 28, 2015, in Constable, N.Y.
Police stand over David Sweat after he was shot and captured near the Canadian border Sunday, June 28, 2015, in Constable, N.Y.