Lawyer Cleared in Browning’s Escape Bid

An attorney who visited Elrader Browning Jr. at Terminal Island Federal Prison shortly before his escape attempt has been cleared of any involvement in it, authorities said Thursday.

Lawyer Larry Elkins met “at length” with U.S. marshals investigators Thursday morning and after the interview, is not considered a suspect in the case, Inspector Walter Dayton said.

Browning, who faces life in prison without parole for his recent conviction on charges of operating a massive cocaine and heroin organization in South Los Angeles, disguised himself as a lawyer about an hour after Elkins’ visit Saturday and attempted to walk out of the prison. He was stopped by a guard who recognized his distinctive gait and who remembered he had already let Elkins leave the interview room.

Dayton said Elkins “was very up front.”

“He came in and told us what happened,” Dayton said. “He said he knew nothing about the escape attempt, and he’s not a suspect at this time.”

Elkins told authorities that he went to the prison for an attorney-client visit with Browning and co-defendant James H. (Doc) Holiday and left, unaware that Browning planned an escape attempt, Dayton said.

There was no answer at Elkins’ law offices Thursday.

Federal authorities have not decided whether to seek attempted escape charges against Browning, but they have opposed his recent motion to block his transfer to another federal institution. In his motion, Browning said he believes that he will be transferred to the federal prison at Marion, Ill., the highest-security facility in the federal prison system.

Terminal Island is considered a low- to medium-security facility.