Accused killer captured after escape

BONIFAY — An accused killer and another convict could not evade the long arm of Holmes County law enforcement and are back in jail after a brief escape.

Jeffery Morrill and David Challender escaped from the Holmes County Jail around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday. Both had been recaptured in time for lunch Wednesday.

Morrill, 32, of Bonifay, was recently convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was recaptured around 3:30 a.m.

Challender, 28, of Vernon, is awaiting trial in Bay County on a murder charge that could result in a death sentence. He was considered dangerous and remained at large until around 9 a.m. Holmes County has been housing him while he awaits trial.

Challender is the last of three suspects to face trial in the grisly slaying of 91-year-old Wallace Scott in his Lynn Haven home.

He and co-defendants Kevin Jeffries and Ashley Griffin were charged with murder for Scott’s death after they were arrested at the end of an intense manhunt that involved more than 20 law enforcement agencies in at least three states.

The efforts to recapture Challender were similarly intense and involved helicopters from two agencies, K-9 units from three area prisons and deputies from at least four nearby counties, plus the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

A jury recommended the death penalty for Jeffries after he was convicted of first-degree murder earlier this month; he is scheduled for a sentencing hearing next month. Griffin entered a plea agreement that calls for her to serve 20 years.

Challender and Morrill will face additional charges after their flight.