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By Root 796 0

the main entrance of the cellhouse, where he would leave the building for lunch. Lageson’s exit would mark the onset of an event that would forever be ingrained into the history of The Rock. As Coy pushed his broom, sweeping the aisle down Broadway toward Times Square, he carefully made his way to the edge of the cellblock, watching Lageson gesture to gate Officer Al Phillips at the main entrance to let him through. In D Block, the period following lunch was usually very quiet, since most of the inmates would take naps around this time. Coy hurriedly made his way to the library, and then made a tapping sound on the access door to D Block, to signal that the escape was commencing.

The sound of the taps would be the signal for Sam Shockley, who had been confined to D Block for his role in the bold May 1941 escape attempt with Joe Cretzer. He was residing in cell #D-5. Sam’s role was to start a disturbance in D Block, in order to shift attention away from the main cellblock. As Shockley screamed and shouted violent threats, Officer Corwin called for assistance to help calm the inmate, who was nicknamed “Crazy Sam” by inmates and guards alike. Officer Burch made his way to the D Block end of the gallery, attempting to size up the situation before calling down to Miller.

Meanwhile, Bernie Coy was making his way toward the kitchen to signal Marvin Hubbard. Marv was stalling as he completed his clean-up tasks, pacing himself so he could stop work as soon as he received the signal from Coy. Hubbard had made careful efforts to ensure that everything was in perfect order, so that Officer Burdett would not become suspicious. In accordance with their meticulous plan, Hubbard made a final stop at the wooden knife rack, and carefully slipped a large butcher knife into the underside of his shirtsleeve with the handle resting in his palm. Hubbard then approached Burdette, stating that he had finished his work and was ready to get some fresh air out in the yard. Not suspecting anything unusual, Burdette granted Hubbard permission to leave. Hubbard then went to the dining room entrance and waited for Officer Miller to open the gate and let him pass. Miller, who was unaware of the recent problems in D Block, opened the gate and let Hubbard pass through. As procedure dictated, Marv then stood at the base of the West End Gun Gallery waiting for Miller to search him. Miller locked the gate after Hubbard and approached the inmate. Meanwhile Coy, who was closely watching the two while walking toward them from C Block, carefully started pushing his broom closer and closer, trying not to spark suspicion.

Hubbard stood at attention, slightly lifting his arms so that Miller could start his head-to-toe search. Suddenly Coy grabbed Miller from behind with the quiet skill of a silent assassin, pinning his arms around his back. Hubbard started delivering violent and rapid blows to Miller’s head using his clenched fists and Miller slumped over into unconsciousness. The East Gallery had been left unmanned as a result of budgetary cuts from the previous year and no one was at this post to monitor activity at the east end of the cellhouse. Bert Burch had rushed into the D Block side of the gallery to assess the disturbance that Shockley was causing. Officer Miller was thus left helpless, with no other prison guard aware of his plight. Hubbard and Coy each grabbed an arm, and starting dragging him around to cell #404 at the end of Seedy Street, which was used by guard staff and cellhouse workers as a common bathroom. Coy pulled the large key ring from Miller’s belt clip, and opened the control box that housed the cell access levers. Having carefully watched the correctional staff open and close the various inmate cells, Coy was able to rack open #404 without a hitch. The inmates pulled Miller into the cell and Hubbard removed his pants and jacket. Miller was then gagged and tied to the cell bunk.

Cells #404 and #403, located at the end of C Block, were used by the escapees to lock up their hostages. This would the site of a cold blooded and vicious murder.