On September 6, 1982, convicted murderer Leroy James Chasson made a daring break for freedom from the Massachusetts Correctional Institute-Walpole—one of the most infamous, escape-proof prisons in the country. But this wasn't just any prison break. It was a meticulously planned, five-year effort, made possible by an unlikely accomplice—Kathleen MacDonald, Chasson's former pen-pal turned wife.
True crime author Daniel Zimmerman (SHOTS IN THE DARK) brings the shocking escape to life, detailing how Chasson, wounded and bleeding from self-inflicted wounds was first transferred to a hospital for treatment. Then, using a .45 automatic smuggled to him by his wife who was disguised as a nurse, took hospital guards and staff hostage, before fleeing under a hail of gunfire.
Dubbed the "Bonnie and Clyde" of Massachusetts, the couple’s daring run across the country captivated the nation and they would evade capture for years. Living under assumed identities, they nearly made it—until a tip from America's Most Wanted led to their eventual capture in 1989. Joining me to discuss, CHASSON’S RUN: The Prison Break That Captivated America and the Love Story That Fueled It—Daniel Zimmerman
