Gov. Cuomo: Escapees had sights on Mexico, but driver backed out

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Two convicted murderers who eluded a massive manhunt for three weeks planned to drive to Mexico after escaping prison but ended up walking toward Canada when their ride backed out — finally splitting up in their final days of freedom, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday.

David Sweat, 35, was hospitalized in serious condition after being shot twice in the torso by a trooper and captured Sunday near the Canadian border. Cuomo said

Sweat has begun providing information about his audacious escape and weeks on the lam from the maximum-security Clinton Correctional Facility on June 6 with Richard Matt. Matt was killed by officers on Friday.

Prosecutors previously have said prison tailor shop employee Joyce Mitchell got close to the men and agreed to be their getaway driver but backed out because she felt guilty. Authorities also have said the men discussed killing Mitchell’s husband, matching the newly detailed account provided by Cuomo on the Capitol Pressroom radio program.

“They would kill Mitchell’s husband and then get in the car and drive to Mexico on the theory that Mitchell was in love with one or both of them,” the governor said. “When Mitchell doesn’t show up, the Mexico plan gets foiled, and they head north toward Canada.”

Matt previously had fled to Mexico after killing and dismembering his former boss in 1997.

Matt and Sweat apparently spent more than two weeks together roaming the thick northern New York woods. Authorities believe they traveled mostly at night and managed to procure food, a gun and other supplies from hunting camps and seasonal cabins.

Cuomo said the two men split up about five days ago. Matt had blisters on his feet — searchers found his bloody socks — and Sweat thought his 49-year-old escape partner was holding him back.

“Sweat felt that Matt was slowing him down,” Cuomo said.

Sweat was captured Sunday in the town of Constable, about 30 miles northwest of the prison, after Sgt. Jay Cook spotted him while on routine patrol. Cook shot Sweat as he fled toward a stand of trees.

Sweat had a bag containing maps, tools, bug repellent and Pop Tarts when he was shot by Cook. Sweat was unarmed at the time, authorities said.

Sweat was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he was upgraded from critical to serious condition after doctors determined overnight that he didn’t need immediate surgery.

He is expected to stay at the hospital for a few days while his condition stabilizes, according to hospital officials.