A lawyer for an upstate New York prison guard arrested after the escape of two inmates says his client had no knowledge they were trying to break out and didn't know meat he gave them had contraband hidden inside it.
Correction officer Gene Palmer is believed to have delivered tools inside frozen meat to the inmates, who were reported missing from the Clinton County Correctional Facility in Dannemora on June 6.
Defense lawyer Andrew Brockway says Palmer admits passing the meat but had no knowledge of any contraband inside. Brockway says Palmer continues to cooperate with the investigation to help capture the fugitives.
Brockway says Palmer will plead not guilty at his arraignment Thursday on charges of promoting prison contraband, tampering with physical evidence and official misconduct.
A prison tailor shop employee also has been charged with helping the inmates escape.
Palmer posted his $25,000 bail overnight.