Posted: 3:46 PM Jul 31, 2012
Reporter: Joe Nelson

Escape plot suspects make court appearances, may head to trial (7/31/12)

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wisc. (WEAU) - Two suspects in a plot to escape from the Stanley prison in 2010 are now bound over for trial.

A judge in Chippewa County said he found enough evidence that a crime was committed to make the decision in the case against 35-year-old Jimmy Baldwin and 27-year-old Henry Spencer Tuesday.

Fifty-nine-year-old Eddie Evans also appeared in court later Tuesday, charged with the same crimes, and had his bond amount set.

A correctional officer testified that Baldwin and Spencer used forged documents to escape from the prison in 2010.

Prosecutors said after two and a half years, they expect a trial soon.

According to the criminal complaint, Jimmy Baldwin, convicted of a 1994 gang-related murder, reduced his 45 year sentence through a forged amended judgement of conviction.

The documents that were sent to prison that changed their sentences and that allowed them to be released early, in Mr. Baldwin's case and almost released in Mr. Spencer's case," Chippewa County Assistant District Attorney Roy Gay said.

"Mr. Baldwin had already left the facility when we discovered the amended judgement of conviction was inaccurate and he had made his way to Milwaukee," Stanley prison captain Warren Dohms said.

Police said Baldwin was caught in Milwaukee. He's charged with escape, forgery, and identity theft.

Henry spencer, who was serving time for armed robbery is accused of handing in forged paperwork, but never made it out of prison.

"Nobody but them would have had a motive to have done this. And either they did it themselves, or they had somebody do it for them," Gay said.

Gay said he doesn't expect guilty pleas at their next hearing and believes the cases are likely to go to trial.

"Right now, it's a very circumstantial case. I think it's enough to convict, but again, you're presumed innocent until proven guilty and it'll be up to a jury to decide if i've got enough evidence or not," Gay said.

Baldwin and Spencer are set to be back in court Aug. 10. Evans is scheduled to appear Aug. 9.

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