Unlikely Criminal Becomes Expert In Escape

Bespectacled Larry Chism was a rather nerdy young man from Arkansas who stayed out of trouble and kept his focus on his studies. By the time Chism was 26, he was two weeks away from law school graduation, and his future seemd bright. 

That's why it was such a mystery when Chism was busted on armed robbery and narcotics violations. It turns out that when Chism was not in class, he was running a well-organized circle of teenaged drug runners, often traveling to Mexico in search of drugs. But when the law caught up with Chism, he was treated like a hardened criminal and given 40 years in the clink.

Prison life was no match for the bookish Chism.  Housed with violent criminals, Chism found protection where he could: with the prison guards.  He established trust with his captors, and eventually became a mediator between prison staff and inmates.  He even became the editor of the prison newspaper, "The Phoenix."  But in the back of Chism's mind, he was bitter, feeling he didn't belong behind bars.

Chism Makes His Stand In A Wild Escape

Months after Chism had entered prison, he was ready to hatch a plan to get out. On September 13, 1978, the inmates took a bowling trip, led by the meanest guard at Turney Prison - Leslie Talley.

He took 34 of the best behaved prisoners including Chism to a local bowling alley.  

As the prisoners bowled, played pinball and ate french fries, Officer Talley noticed one inmate go into the bathroom with something in his hand.  He followed the man in, and found a prisoner fumbling with a window.  When he stepped through the doorway, he found something else -- a shotgun pointed at his face. 

The man with the gun was none other than mild-mannered Larry Chism.

Instinct drove Talley, who smashed the men's room door against Chism.  Although Chism tried to fire, .there was no round in the chamber.  While Talley ran out to get the other guards, Chism had loaded his gun. 

Talley tried to pull his service revolver, but Chism fired first, hitting Talley once in the chest.  His vest saved him and Talley returned fire.  The ensuing gun fight only lasted fifteen seconds, but by the end, Talley had been shot eight times and was in critical condition. 

Chism took another guard hostage and then began barking orders to three fellow inmates. According to Talley, "It was a set up from the beginning, a planned out deal from the beginning.  There was no back talk, he did not have to ask them a second time..."

Chism and his gang stole a carand headed for the airport, where they forced a pilot to fly them away at gunpoint. After a wild trip, the plane landed on an airstrip in Arkansas and the gang split up, with Chism taking refuge in the nearby woods.

Freedom Doesn't Last Long For Chism

Three days later, Chism walked out of the woods and into the arms of law enforcement.    Chism begged a ride from an unsuspecting resident in Baxter, Arkansas, but his wife recognized Chism as the escaped prisoner she'd seen on the news.

Cops caught up to Chism and his benefactor and a chase ensued.  Chism pushed the driver out of the truck, took the wheel and drove through a roadblack.  Police in pursuit shot six shots into the truck, which caused it to crash.  Chism was finally back behind bars.

But Chism's second stint in prison didn't last long.  In December, in an Arkansas jail guarded by only one man, Chism removed an air conditioning grate in his cell and escaped again.

The last confirmed sighting of Chism was in 1990. Investigators learned that Chism had lived in Charlotte, North Carolina from 1988 to 1990. He worked as a laborer for a pipe company and was affiliated with a small Christian charity organization called Christians United For People.

Chism was using the alias Kenneth Brookins. Chism told everyone he was married and introduced his wife as Debra Brookins. He was also seen with a young girl, Brenda Brookins, that he claimed was his daughter. Chism fled Charlotte with the woman and the little girl in 1990 after he saw a story about himself on TV.

Police have never been able to find Debra and Branda Brookins. Investigators say the names they used in Charlotte were aliases. At the time, Debra was described as a white female, 5'2", in her 30's, with dirty blonde hair. Brenda Brookins was described as having brown hair, between 7 and 14 years old, and went by "Brandi" or "Poo." The US Marshals believe identifying the women could be the key to finally catching Chism.

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