Lakendall Sims
Lakendall M. Sims (born August 1, 1988) is a convicted rapist who is facing charges in two 2007 homicides. On his way to a hearing in the Bessemer Courthouse on September 16, 2008 he escaped, but was re-captured the next day.
Sims is one of four men charged in the May 5, 2007 robbery and murder of Gabriel Castillo Alaniz, 21, who was found dead at 3rd Place South in Lipscomb. The same four have also been charged with capital murder in the death of Mary Catherine Williams, 19, whose decomposed body was found behind a building at Morgan Road and Drexel Road Southeast near I-459 on June 1.
Sims had been incarcerated at Donaldson Correctional Facility. He was on his way to a pre-trial hearing for one of his murder charges in the 6th floor courtroom of Mac Parsons when he escaped custody. He reportedly asked the bailiff escorting him to remove one of his handcuffs so that he could use the restroom. He then overpowered the bailiff, handcuffed him and stole his gun and trousers. The bailiff called 911 on the cell phone Sims had removed from the pocket before taking his pants.
Once outside he carjacked a van from the 1800 block of 3rd Avenue Bessemer and got away. The van was recovered in Lipscomb and officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Bessemer Police Department, and the U. S. Marshals Service conducted an intensive search of the area, blocking off several blocks overnight. His attorney David Hobdy, made a public plea for Sims to turn himself in peacefully.
That afternoon Sims reportedly forced his way into a home in Lipscomb and remained there until evening. He stole $11 in cash and a cell phone as well as several articles of dark clothing.
Sims was recaptured on the 5100 block of Jefferson Avenue just inside the Lipscomb city limits on the afternoon of September 17. He was newly charged with assault, escape, robbery, kidnapping, burglary, and theft soon later.
References
- Robinson, Carol and Robert K. Gordon (September 16, 2008) "Prisoner in Bessemer escapes after asking to use the restroom." Birmingham News
- Gordon, Robert K. and Carol Robinson (September 16, 2008) "Update: Officers searching in Lipscomb for escaped prisoner, van found." Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine (September 17, 2008) "Update: Police capture courthouse escapee, suspected killer Lakendall Sims." Birmingham News
- Norris, Toraine and Robert K. Gordon (September 18, 2008) "Murder suspect who escaped at courthouse captured after manhunt." Birmingham News