An Ohio man convicted of attempted murder escaped from a courthouse guard and jumped to his death shortly after being sentenced to 13 years in prison Friday, authorities said.
Jason Binkiewiz, 42, was pronounced dead after jumping over a banister on the third floor of a Steubenville courthouse, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla told NBC affiliate WTOV.
Binkiewiz had just been sentenced for shooting a man in the face in 2015, and was being escorted by a sheriff’s deputy when he broke free and ran towards the banister, Abdalla said.
"As soon as Binkiewicz started running, Deputy Price he was on him quick enough when he reached out, he had his shirt," Abdalla said. "It wasn't good enough, and if he held on to the shirt, most likely Deputy Price would have gone over with him."
Binkiewicz had been convicted of attempted murder and felony assault.
Prosecutor Jane Hanlin called it a "heart-breaking day" and said that there appear to have been no warnings that Binkiewicz planned to jump.
