Prosecutor: Claim that coaches saw Sandusky abuse unreliable

Man accused of fleeing from jail, killing woman 'can't hide'

KITTANNING, Pa. (AP) — A man accused of escaping from a county jail and killing an acquaintance who lived nearby can run but "can't hide" from evidence in his trial, a prosecutor said Tuesday. "The evidence will show you Robert Crissman Jr. ran from the Armstrong County Jail directly to the home of Tammy Long," said Katie Charlton, Armstrong County assistant district attorney. "He killed her, took her truck and ran from police." During his opening statement, defense attorney Charles Pascal urged the jury to keep an open mind and to "listen to all of the evidence that you hear, not what you think you know." Crissman was jailed for violating his parole on a previous drug conviction when, authorities say, he escaped July 30 while working as an inmate trustee. In that role, he was allowed outside so he could take food trays from a vendor's truck to inmates. Dual investigations by the district attorney and a security contractor determined Crissman shouldn't have been given such a job because he had reported using heroin shortly before his arrest days before and was still exhibiting drug withdrawal symptoms. The warden has since resigned and reforms have been enacted, including an emergency alert system and a siren meant to warn nearby residents —like the 55-year-old Long — in the event of future escapes. On Tuesday, Long's boyfriend testified that Crissman showed up the morning of July 30 claiming to have car trouble. Terry Slagle, who didn't know Crissman had recently been jailed, left for work only to see news reports about a jail break — and his stolen pickup being described as Crissman's getaway vehicle — a short time later. Charlton told the jury they'll eventually see evidence that includes Crissman's missing shoelace, which was found around Long's neck, and her blood on his clothes, which were found stuffed under a bed. "He can't hide from the facts of this case," Charlton said. Crissman faces life in prison without parole if he's convicted of first-degree murder in Long's death. Her children have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county and the former warden, noting security deficiencies highlighted in the two investigations conducted after Crissman's escape. The trial is expected to run through Friday, Crissman's 39th birthday.