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Witnesses testify St. Joseph inmate's botched escape

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A Berrien County inmate kept hidden from sheriff's deputies his plan to escape the courthouse that led to a deadly shooting spree in July, even though fellow inmates knew of the plan.

The Herald Palladium obtained statements this month from other inmates and witnesses to Larry Gordon's shootings through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Records say Gordon wrestled a gun away from a court deputy July 11, whom he wounded, and killed two court officers before being fatally shot by other officers. A civilian Gordon held hostage was also wounded.

Gordon's attorney Joseph Fletcher told detectives that Gordon was highly agitated before the shooting when learning he probably wouldn't receive a light sentence on numerous felony charges in exchange for providing information on other crimes.

Multiple inmates testified that they knew Gordon was planning an escape.