Cantrell faces additional charges after escape

GAINESVILLE - The inmate who escaped last week from the Hall County Courthouse now faces additional charges after the incident.

James Edward Cantrell made a court appearance Tuesday to hear the new charges - escape and theft by taking, both felonies.

The 46-year-old Cantrell managed to slip away from a group of inmates being transferred from the courthouse to a jail transport vehicle and steal a pickup truck on Tuesday, July 16. He had made a court appearance that day for violation of a protective order, according to Hall County authorities.

Cantrell remained missing for almost a week, but was caught Monday night at a hotel in Tucker.

Also on Tuesday, Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch fired the two deputies who were in charge of the prisoners at the time of Cantrell's escape.