Attorney Ian Friedman Interviewed About T.J. Lane’s Escape & Capture

Sept. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- Convicted killer T.J. Lane escaped the Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution located in Lima, Ohio around 7:40 p.m. Thursday night. He made his escape with two other men, all of them reportedly scaling a fence to break out of the prison and taking off on foot.

On February 27, 2012, T.J. Lane walked into the Chardon High School cafeteria and began shooting, resulting in the death of three students. The young man displayed no remorse during his trial and even mocked the victims and their families. He received three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Ian Friedman, Lane’s former attorney, was interviewed about Lane and his escape by CNN, ABC News, WKYC Channel 3, Fox 8, and many other news outlets. “You never plan on someone escaping and certainly someone of that notoriety,” Friedman said. “You would think that they would take special precautions to prevent this.”

During his trial, Lane unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the word “KILLER” written across his white T-shirt, nearly identical to the shirt he was wearing during his attack on the school. Lane’s profane behavior in the courtroom stunned the victims and their families, the judge, the prosecution, and even his own defense team.

“For everyone in that courtroom — the victims, their families, the prosecutors, defense — everyone in that courtroom was just absolutely taken aback. There was no way to fully comprehend what happened in the courtroom that afternoon,” Friedman told reporters.

“This was a huge case here in Ohio. So, everyone in Ohio is shocked right now,” said Friedman.

After his escape, Lane, now 19-years-old, led authorities on an hours-long manhunt. Extra officers and patrols were provided to the families of Lane’s victims to ensure their safety. Residents of Lima, where the prison is located, were instructed to stay inside and lock their doors.

Lane was found in a ditch outside of the church, roughly 100 yards away from the prison. He was taken into custody without incident around 1:20 a.m., and authorities said that he did not struggle or even speak.

Though Lane was captured just a few hours after his escape, the incident still left many people shaken. Authorities will be investigating the escape and discussing the possibility of transferring Lane to a more secure facility. “I am sorry that we’re all still sitting here even talking about him,” Friedman said in a final comment to WKYC Channel 3 in a live interview.

Ian N. Friedman is a defense attorney based out of Cleveland, OH. Learn more: www.iannfriedman.com