FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The day Dayonte Resiles escaped from the Broward County courthouse, he was in court facing a first-degree murder charge.
Before his July 15 escape, the 21-year-old suspect was in handcuffs and shackles as he sat in a courtroom waiting for a hearing in the killing of Jill Halliburton Su, the grandniece of Halliburton founder Erle P. Halliburton.
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The Davie woman was found stabbed to death in her bathtub Sept. 8, 2014.
Resiles was later arrested in connection with her death, but he claims that he didn't kill her.
"When I escaped my whole reason was to gather enough info on my case to prove my innocence," Resiles wrote in a recent letter he sent to Broward County Judge Raag Singhal.
Resiles claims that he ran away to get evidence for his defense. He freed his hands and feet, took off the black-and white-striped uniform and left the jury box. He ran by the bailiffs and rushed down four flights of stairs.
"As you can see, I didn't commit any crimes, hurt anyone or go far," Resiles wrote. "I just wanted time to prove my innocence."
Resiles was captured July 20 at a Days Inn in West Palm Beach.
"There is a phone I had that can prove what I'm saying," Resiles wrote. "If it was ever found inside the hotel it will show (the truth)."
Resiles asked the judge to take what he wrote into account. He said more people will be writing letters on his behalf.
Eight other people were arrested in connection with the courthouse escape.