Ameen Hurst, who escaped from Philly jail after being accused of four murders, pleads guilty to murders and other crimes

PHILADELPHIA — A man who escaped from a Philadelphia prison last year after being accused of four murders and subsequently spent on the run for a week and a half before being recaptured has pleaded guilty to the murders and other crimes.

Ameen HurstChained to a wooden chair, the 20-year-old pleaded guilty Friday to 28 charges — including four counts of third-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, as well as escape, conspiracy and gun crimes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Hurst was arrested in 2021 at the age of 16 and charged with four murders and two armed robberies. Law enforcement authorities said he had ties to two allied gangs in Philadelphia responsible for a wave of violence.

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Hurst and another prisoner, Nasir Grant escaped in May last year from the Philadelphia Industrial Correction Center in Northeast Philadelphia. Grant was taken into custody four days later and Hurst was on the run for ten days before being arrested again.

Prosecutors said the two cut a hole in the fence surrounding a recreation area at the prison and were gone for nearly 19 hours before officials knew they were missing. Authorities also blamed disabled motion sensors and a sleeping security guard, and several people were also accused of helping the refugees.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci said investigators are pleased with the outcome of the cases, especially because the victims’ families will be spared a lengthy trial. However, he said it was “hard to imagine that four young lives were destroyed by someone 16 years old. That in itself is a tragedy.”

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He also said Hurst laughed about the killings during phone calls from behind bars, showing “a level of callousness and ruthlessness that is frightening.” Assistant District Attorney Brett Zakeosian said that while Hurst was on the run, he rented a recording studio and recorded a new rap song that he has since released online.

Attorney Gary Silver declined comment Friday. Hurst is expected to be sentenced within two weeks.