It seemed only a matter of time before authorities in New Mexico charged two Arizona prison escapees, and the woman who helped them escape, with the murder of an Oklahoma couple who were found murdered in a camper in earlier this month. Today, it happened.
Federal prosecutors in New Mexico have officially filed murder and carjacking charges against Tracy Province, Casslyn Welch, and Welch's would-be cous-band, John McCluskey.
Welch is believed to have helped McCluskey and Province, as well as
another inmate, escape from the Kingman prison on July 31. While on the
run, police say the three murdered Linda and Gary Haas -- both 61 and from Tecumseh, Oklahoma.
The Hasses, who were about to become grandparents, were on their annual summer trip to Colorado when their paths crossed with the escaped inmates.
Authorities believe the couple met the inmates at a rest area along Interstate 40 in eastern New Mexico.
It's believed the couple was shot in their travel trailer before the
inmates, and Welch, drove it to a remote area, unhitched the Hass'
truck, and torched the trailer with the bodies of the inside.
While being arrested last week, McCluskey didn't do much to help his murder defense.
It's been reported
that while being taken into custody one of the arresting officers told
another officer to be careful with the gun found on Welch -- who was
arrested with McCluskey at a campsite in northern Arizona -- because it
was potentially the weapon used in the murder of the Hasses. McCluskey, reports claim, told the officers "no, the murder weapon is over there in the tent."
