Syracuse, N.Y ― Onondaga County sheriff’s jail deputies in early August released the wrong inmate and staff gave her someone else’s drugs to treat addiction.

Three days later, when deputies found her, they charged her with escape and drug possession for the drugs that jail staff had given her

A month later, prosecutors dropped those charges against the woman, Cortney Phillips , allowing her to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Judge James Cecile ordered her released from jail.

Prosecutor Kali Benjovsky said her office decided not to prosecute Phillips for the deputies’ mistake. She said she could not prove Phillips had the intent to escape or possess the drugs.

“They just kept telling her she was getting released,” Benjovsky said. “So she just went along with the process.”

Sheriff To

See Full Page