An inmate who escaped from a Texas County transportation van last year will stand trial Oct. 23-24 in Pulaski County.
Christopher Hunt, 34, who is held in the South Central Correctional Center at Licking on an unrelated conviction, was granted a change of venue Monday during a hearing before Circuit Judge John Beger. A pre-trial conference is Oct. 4.
Hunt escaped from custody in June 2017 near the county lines of Texas and Phelps.
Hunt was returning to the Texas County Jail from a court appearance in Phelps County that netted a 20-year term when, according to a report, he convinced the transport officer to pull over “so he could vomit.” As the officer opened the side door of the van, Hunt allegedly grabbed the door and slid it the rest of the way open. The transport officer said Hunt had already removed his wrist and leg restraints, and “threatened to kill the transport officer if he attempted to stop him.”
Hunt stole the vehicle and left the scene at a high rate of speed around 10:11 a.m. just south of Edgar Springs. The vehicle was discovered about an hour later near an abandoned home at the end of a county road. Hunt’s jail clothes were found inside. Hunt was found the next month in Kentucky.
Hunt was charged in September 2016 with multiple crimes following a pursuit in Wright and Texas counties. He was charged with two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle, three counts of assault or attempted assault of a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and resisting arrest by fleeing, all felonies.
Hunt also was charged with first-degree robbery in Greene County in connection with a September car theft.