Audio By Carbonatix
Keep Phoenix New Times Free
We’re aiming to raise $10,000 by April 26. Your support ensures New Times can continue watching out for you and our community. No paywall. Always accessible. Daily online and weekly in print.
It seemed only a matter of time, but federal prosecutors in New Mexico have laid the groundwork to seek the death penalty for two Arizona prison escapees, and their female accomplice, for the murder of an Oklahoma couple committed as the escapees were on the run after breaking out of the Kingman Prison last summer.
Yesterday, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Casslyn Welch, her cousin/ fiancee, John McCluskey, and Tracy Province for the murders of Linda and Gary Haas — both 61 and from Tecumseh, Oklahoma.
The superseding indictment “incorporates the original indictment and
adds a notice of special findings under a law that allows the death
penalty,” the Associated Press reports.
McCluskey and Province escaped from the Kingman Prison — with Welch’s help — on July 30.
While on the run, authorities say the three murdered Linda and Gary Haas in Eastern New Mexico.
The victims, 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 were 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.
Following his arrest, McCluskey tried to kill himself in prison. Sadly,
he failed, but it seems his fatal wish may still be granted, compliments
of the federal government.
