Detective Who Put Killer Richard Matt Behind Bars Fears He May Be Targeted By The Escaped Convict — ‘I Know What You Did’
The story of escaped convicts Richard Matt and David Sweat keeps getting more and more interesting. After it was revealed that a prison employee named Joyce Mitchell did, indeed, aid in the convicts’ escape, another disturbing detail has surfaced regarding the criminals at large. According to the New York Daily News, one of the detectives responsible for getting Richard Matt convicted for killing and dismembering his former boss is now fearful that the escaped murderer might be coming after him.
A disturbing photo of Richard Matt taken in 1986 was sent to the retired detective, David Bentley, with the frightening caption “Who said I can’t escape this place!” The photo depicts a much younger Richard Matt, dressed as a correctional officer and carrying a nightstick. It was taken when Matt was behind bars at the Elmira Correctional Facility and sent to Bently sometime after he was imprisoned at Clinton Correctional Facility. The retired detective is afraid the photo is one of many threats that Richard Matt might carry out now that he and his accomplice, David Sweat, have escaped.
One of the most chilling of all the letters Richard Matt sent David Bentley came shortly after the detective testified against the killer in court, which read, “I know what you did and I’m not going to forget it… ”
According to Inside Edition, the retired detective is afraid Richard Matt is planning to kill him. Because of this, he keeps a weapon on him at all times until the killer is caught again.
“I am always armed, even in my house,” Bentley said. “I am armed at all times. I just won’t take the chance of being taken by surprise.”
David Bentley has a son, David Bentley Jr., who knew Richard Matt as a teenager. He confirmed what many others have said about the convict’s dangerously fearless personality.
“He is like a Rambo, survivalist. Feels no pain. Gets into fight, no pain. Cuts himself, no pain. No fear of any man. He don’t fear any fight.”
Despite their fear of Richard Matt, the Bentley’s admitted that they care for the man, whom they’ve known since he was young.
“He was almost like a son to me. I tried to help him but he has been very evil and it has got to stop,” the retired detective said.
And Bentley Jr. even offered Matt some advice.
“Rick has a daughter, who he loves dearly,” he said. “I want him to consider calling his daughter and turning himself in through his daughter so she’d get the reward money.”
For more on Richard Matt and David Sweat, read about the first time they were spotted after escaping–and how they got yelled at by a clueless homeowner.
[Image credit: Inside Edition]
