08-21-2010, 05:37 AM
ST JOHNS, Ariz. - John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch, two Arizona fugitives who have been captured after nearly three weeks on the run, made their first court appearance in Apache County Superior Court Friday.
Sitting in shackles in the courtroom, McCluskey was read a long list of charges, including escape, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Welch, McCluskey's alleged accomplice and partner in the crime spree, is facing similar charges.
But there was no talk of murder charges -- although investigators say they are responsible for the murders of Gary and Linda Haas of Tecumseh, Okla., whose burned bodies were found in a travel trailer Aug. 4 on a remote ranch in New Mexico. Prosecutors need more evidence before they bring charges.
Their bonds were set at $1 million each, and now they'll be taken up to Kingman, where the prison break happened, for a second court appearance next week.
PHOENIX - John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch were on the run for three weeks, and during that time, police said they were desperate for money and help. One of the people suspected of helping them is McCluskey's mother.
Friday morning, she was still behind bars at the Maricopa County 4th Avenue jail.
Claudia Washburn, 68, has been in jail for two weeks after being arrested south of Payson.
Police said her son came to her gas station after breaking out of prison. Authorities believe she helped her son hide and gave him money to survive while on the run, but she hasn't given any of that information up to police.
Authorities are wondering if she will start talking now that her son has been caught.
Sitting in shackles in the courtroom, McCluskey was read a long list of charges, including escape, kidnapping, and armed robbery. Welch, McCluskey's alleged accomplice and partner in the crime spree, is facing similar charges.
But there was no talk of murder charges -- although investigators say they are responsible for the murders of Gary and Linda Haas of Tecumseh, Okla., whose burned bodies were found in a travel trailer Aug. 4 on a remote ranch in New Mexico. Prosecutors need more evidence before they bring charges.
Their bonds were set at $1 million each, and now they'll be taken up to Kingman, where the prison break happened, for a second court appearance next week.
PHOENIX - John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch were on the run for three weeks, and during that time, police said they were desperate for money and help. One of the people suspected of helping them is McCluskey's mother.
Friday morning, she was still behind bars at the Maricopa County 4th Avenue jail.
Claudia Washburn, 68, has been in jail for two weeks after being arrested south of Payson.
Police said her son came to her gas station after breaking out of prison. Authorities believe she helped her son hide and gave him money to survive while on the run, but she hasn't given any of that information up to police.
Authorities are wondering if she will start talking now that her son has been caught.