May 29, 2021

Murder suspect who escaped Kan. jail recaptured in Oklahoma

Posted May 29, 2021 2:00 AM
Photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff
Photo Cherokee Co. Sheriff

COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — A suspect in a double homicide and another inmate who escaped from jail in Kansas earlier this week were recaptured in Oklahoma.

Hopkins photo Cherokee Co.
Hopkins photo Cherokee Co.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's office said Friday that Mark Gerald Hopkins II and Michael Wayne Martsolf were arrested in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. They escaped from the county jail on Monday, prompting a massive search.

Martsolf photo Cherokee Co.
Martsolf photo Cherokee Co.

Authorities did not provide details of how they were captured. Hopkins of Columbus, was charged with capital murder in the shooting deaths of two men in southeast Kansas in June 2020. Martsolf was being held on drug charges.

Tasha Taylor Young
Tasha Taylor Young

Authorities previously arrested 26-year-old Tasha Young, of Weir, for her alleged role in the escape.