Murder suspect who walked out of St. Louis police HQ is charged

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The murder suspect who walked out of St. Louis police headquarters after being left unattended was charged Thursday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and escaping custody, Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce said.

Ladon Grissom, 21, of St. Louis, was being questioned Tuesday night in the July 24 murder of Juan Frazier, 33, who was fatally shot. When detectives left Grissom unattended briefly, he was able to break handcuffs welded to a table and walk unnoticed out the front door, prompting an all-night search involving several officers, police dogs and a helicopter.

Grissom turned himself in on Wednesday, telling reporters he had nothing to do with the killing of Frazier.

But Joyce said two witnesses said Grissom was the killer.

Police Chief Joe Mokwa has promised to discipline the officers who failed to adequately supervise Grissom.