Fastrack · Escaped Tennessee Murderer Captured Over a Week After Prison Break

Escaped inmate Jacob Morley was captured Tuesday in Missouri, more than a week after leaving a Tennessee prison.

28-year-old Morley was serving life for killing coworker Cody Birchfield in 2022.
11:30 p.m. Oct. 25: Guards found him missing after he breached a fence.
Officials say he stole a white Ford F-350, later abandoned in Marion, Illinois.
$17,500 in combined rewards was offered for information leading to his arrest.

Why it matters: Morley escaped from the Northwest Correctional Complex in Tiptonville. The prison has seen repeated violence in recent years.

In July, a grand jury returned dozens of indictments, including five inmate murders.
State oversight board members suggested leadership problems contributed to the prison's troubles.

How 15 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

High

Mixed

Low

Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 15 sources

15 sources · 16 articles · 46% Center coverage

Center7 sources

Newsweek1hJacob Morley, Convicted Murderer, Captured in Missouri After a Week on the Run CTV News58mEscaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured, officials say The National Desk46mEscaped Tennessee inmate found and arrested in Missouri, TBI says TMZ1hEscaped Tennessee Murderer Jacob Allen Morley in Custody USA Today44mEscaped Tennessee inmate Jacob Morley captured WFLA News Channel 81hConvicted killer who escaped Tennessee prison back in custody, officials say WPXI Pittsburgh2hEscaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured, officials say

Left coverage, 4 sources: The left frames the capture alongside the victim's family and the prison's record of violence and management problems.

CBS News2hEscaped murderer captured over a week after breaking out of Tennessee prison NBC News2hEscaped Tennessee inmate captured, authorities say CNN2hConvicted murderer who escaped through Tennessee prison fence is captured, officials say The Independent1hEscaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured, officials say

Right coverage, 4 sources: The right covers the capture as a breaking development, centered on the timeline of his flight and the official announcement.

Daily Mail1hMurderous inmate that escaped Tennessee jail is finally found on the run 7 days later in Missouri - sporting the same beard and glasses he fled in Fox News1hMissouri State Highway Patrol recaptures convicted murderer who escaped Tennessee prison Just the News20hAuthorities capture convicted murderer who escaped from Tennessee prison New York Post1hEscaped Tennessee inmate convicted of co-worker's murder is recaptured after more than a week on the run, officials say

What’s next: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it would provide more details on the capture soon.

Officials have not said exactly where in Missouri he was found or how.
How did Morley get through the prison fence undetected?
How did he travel from Illinois to Missouri after abandoning the truck?
Will the escape prompt changes in leadership or security at the prison?