Inmate Jumps Out Cocke Co Courtroom Window

An inmate attempted to escape from Cocke County authorities on Monday. The inmate caused quite the stir when he jumped out of a courtroom window. According to the sheriff’s office, Michael Dean Smith of Waynesville, NC, who was being held on a fugitive warrant from out of state, was with six other inmates that were appearing in Sessions Court shortly after noon on Monday. According to deputies in the courtroom, Smith got up from the bench numerous times to get a facial tissue. The next time Smith got up to get another tissue, he jumped out an open courtroom window falling two stories to the ground below…landing on his back. Smith got up and attempted to run, but encountered a Cocke County deputy and stopped. Smith was handcuffed and shackled both at the time he jumped. EMS transported Smith to the Newport Medical Center where he was then airlifted to the UT Medical Center in Knoxville. According to the UT Medical Center none of Smith’s injuries are serious. Sheriff CJ Ball thanked the Newport police and fire departments, plus the deputies on hand for their quick response.