Richard Matt’s Son Says Escaped Convict A ‘Genius,’ Can’t Believe This Happened

The son of fugitive Richard Matt, one of two escaped convicted sought by authorities in New York and elsewhere, says that his father is a “genius” and he “can’t believe they let this happen.”

According to the New York Daily News, Nicholas Harris, 23, the only son of escaped convict Richard Matt, says Clinton Correctional Facility should have kept a better watch on his father, whom he describes as a genius career criminal who has broken out of jail before.

In 2007, Harris visited Richard Matt, who was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering and dismembering a man, in prison and the encounter left a lasting impression on the young man.

“He makes an impression that lingers with you. My father has always wanted to have a relationship with me.” the 23-year-old told the Buffalo News.

Harris adds he is amazed that the Clinton Correctional Facility didn’t do a better job of keeping his father under supervision knowing that he had escaped from prison before. Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped from the maximum security prison on Saturday with the help of seamstress Joyce Mitchell, who was a worker there.

The woman stands to be charged, but investigators have not revealed what the charges will be at this time. The two escaped convicts are the subject of a nationwide manhunt, and local residents are being advised to stay inside and lock their doors.

Richard Matt’s son says his father escaped from the Alden Correctional Facility in Erie County in 1986 and was caught at his brother’s place in Tonawanda, New York, four days later. Harris says his father’s IQ is that of a genius, and he related to Nicholas and his mother about the time when the career criminal attempted to escape from a Mexican prison.

“He has a genius IQ, I can’t believe they let this happen.

“He said he made it up to the roof of the prison and got shot in the shoulder. He pulled down his shirt and showed us the bullet wound.

“This guy has bullet holes on his body. Hes been shot like nine times. It’s like they can’t kill him.”

Richard Matt’s son also said his father broke into his mother’s home and beat her up when he was an infant and was in and out of jail throughout his childhood. Harris wonders if his father has run out of luck and will get caught this time.

[Image via New York Daily News]