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Article: Suspected serial killer was informant Ellis told of bribery at halfway house in exchange for freedom, prosecutors say
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- September 20, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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By JOHN DIEDRICH and RYAN HAGGERTY
Walter E. Ellis bribed his way out of a prison halfway house one
night in late November 1992 and murdered Irene Smith -- the third of
at least seven women he killed over 21 years in Milwaukee,
prosecutors say.
A couple of weeks later Ellis escaped from the halfway house but
was quickly arrested. Already serving time on a drug conviction,
Ellis now faced a new charge of escape and a return to prison to do
more time.
Ellis offered to make a deal with federal investigators: He would
help them bust corrupt halfway house workers who were selling
prisoners passes for cash, and they would give him his freedom,
court records show.
Federal authorities signed up ...