A trial has been continued for a Sumner County man who allegedly threatened dozens of people with an officer's shotgun at the jail's visitors center.
In 2015, officials said James McCutchen escaped from police, stole their squad car and rammed into the jail fence.
It’s been 2 years since a Sumner Co man stole a squad car, rammed into the jail & threatened dozens of people armed. Trial begins today @NC5pic.twitter.com/OnzpzbuLId
— Blayke Roznowski (@NC5_Blayke) October 16, 2017
McCutchen arrived in the back of a Westmoreland Squad car to be booked for a different crime.
Investigators said he was able to break free from an officer, hop in the back of the squad car and crash through the fence of the jail as he tried to escape.
Armed with a shotgun from the squad car, he allegedly took off on foot. Deputies confronted him and opened fire on him, missing.
Still in cuffs holding the shotgun, McCutchen ran inside the jail's visitors center where 30 or so family members were inside waiting to see their loved ones.
Surveillance video showed family members scattering in fear during the ordeal. A man inside risked his own life to take down the suspect and officers were able to take him into custody.
McCutchen is on trial for several counts of aggravated kidnapping as well as several other charges for the escape. He's currently being held on a $1.5 million bond.
Jury selection was supposed to begin Monday morning but was continued to December 11.
