Former PG officer stashed handcuff key in jail cell

Prince George’s County (Map, News) - Corrections officers found a set of keys that can unlock any set of handcuffs on former Prince George's County officer Keith Washington as they were taking him from the county jail to a state prison to begin serving his manslaughter sentence, according to court records.

Last month, Washington was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, and other crimes, for shooting two delivery men, killing one of them, in his Accokeek home in January, 2007. On Feb. 25 he left the courtroom in handcuffs, heading to county jail and then a state prison to await sentencing.

On Feb. 28, as corrections officers strip-searched Washington in preparation for his move to prison, he refused to let go of his shirt, according to a motion filed by Prince George's County States Attorney Glenn Ivey that argued Washington presented a flight risk and shouldn't be allowed out on bond until sentencing. The motion quotes a now sealed corrections department report on the incident.

The shirt was "pulled" from his grip and a handcuff key was found in the shirt's pocket. Washington told corrections officers he had found the key about two hours earlier and stashed it in his pocket.

"[Washington's] actions further show his danger to the community as the possession of a handcuff key reflects a clear intention of escaping his current circumstances," the state argued in the motion.

Washington is also awaiting a separate trial for first-degree assault for pointing a handgun at a real estate appraiser who had accidentally knocked on Washington's door last spring.

"I was shocked to learn about Keith Washington having handcuff keys," Ivey said. "I thought this only happens on TV, apparently not."

The family of the man Washington killed, Brandon Clark and the surviving delivery man, Robert White, have filed a more than $400 million law suit against the county and Washington alleging detectives purposefully botched the investigation.

Calls to Washington's attorney, Michael Starr, were not immediately returned. The defense had filed a motion asking Washington be kept at home, which was denied by Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Whalen Tuesday.

fklopott@dcexaminer.com

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