Tennessee: Murderer escapes CCA facility and on the run from Whiteville.

(August 8, 2004) - Harris, doing life for raping, killing 81-year-old woman

A 26-year-old convicted murderer who was serving a life sentence without the
possibility of parole remained at large Saturday night after he escaped from
the Hardeman County Correctional Facility in Whiteville.

Tracy Lynn Harris is believed to be heading south of Whiteville after he
escaped about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, said Joe Patterson, the assistant warden
of the correctional facility.

''We believe the inmate to be extremely dangerous, and anyone who might have
information about him should call 911 or local authorities,'' Patterson
said.

Meanwhile, the McKenzie family of the late Madelyn Ruth Bomar, the
81-year-old woman whom Harris was convicted of murdering and raping in 1998,
wondered Saturday whether Harris instead would head back to Carroll County.
Harris is from McKenzie.

''The whole family is flabbergasted,'' said Susan Reid, the youngest
daughter of Harris' victim.

The family was notified shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday of Harris' escape,
Reid said.

''We really don't know what we need to be doing,'' she said. ''I'm here at
the same place I've always lived, and he's aware of that. I live right
around the corner from where my mother was murdered. I can see her house
from here.''

Harris is a 5-foot-11-inch, 158-pound white man with blue eyes and red hair.
He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, Patterson said. The assistant
warden also said that Harris may have blood on his clothing after coming
into contact with razor wire.

A hole was found in the facility's fence on Saturday, but what tools were
used to cut the fence and whether any guards would be disciplined over the
situation remained under investigation, Patterson said. The fence was cut
from within and was the inside fence of two chain-link fences that surround
the facility. Patterson said he believes Harris acted alone.

''Every precaution should be taken,'' he said.

Harris pleaded guilty four years ago to felony murder and aggravated rape in
the the death of Bomar.

Bomar was killed at her residence on Oct. 29, 1998, in McKenzie. She died as
a result of multiple injuries, including blunt injuries to her head,
according to an autopsy report.

Harris received life without parole on the felony murder charge and a
20-year sentence on the rape charge.

''I don't see how (his escape) could happen,'' Reid said. ''It was always a
very real possibility. (An escape) was in the back of my mind, that this
could happen. I know he has nothing to lose.''

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and
staff members from four other correctional facilities are aiding in the
search and investigation, Patterson said.

The Hardeman County Correctional Facility is operated by Corrections
Corporation of America, a private company.

- Kary Booher, (731) 425-9680

What to know

• Escaped prison inmate Tracy Lynn Harris is a 5-foot-11-inch, 158-pound
  white man with blue eyes and red hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and
  blue jeans. He also may have blood on his clothing.



• He was serving a life sentence for felony murder and aggravated rape.



• He is believed to be heading south from Whiteville.



• Anyone with information about him should call 911 or local authorities.

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