BOLLINGER COUNTY ESCAPEE STILL BEING SOUGHT

MARBLE HILL -- Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Hahn was preparing for a trial Tuesday for William Knapp on two counts of Class C felony stealing.

But Knapp walked away from the county jail Sunday.

Knapp, who had been a trusty at the Bollinger County jail, told the dispatcher and other prisoners he was going to take a nap. That was about 11:15 a.m., but around 5 p.m. he was missing.

"If there is no defendant there is no trial," said Hahn.

The case was scheduled to be heard before Circuit Judge John Grimm.

Knapp was represented by the public defender's office.

Hahn filed charges against Knapp, whose address is listed as 109 East Maple in Scott City, on Jan. 4, after he failed to return a VCR and tapes to a Bollinger County business.

The Class C felonies have a punishment of up to seven years each. The time Knapp served in jail awaiting trial likely would have been applied to any sentence he would have received if convicted.

Hahn said he probably will file charges for escape against Knapp. The sheriff's department sought federal charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

The sheriff's department uses prisoners considered to be non-violent and not a risk to escape as trusties to assist with cooking and cleaning around the jail.