James Crittenton Lucas

Case record: James Crittenton Lucas

Identity

James Crittenton Lucas was an American criminal known as James “Texas Bank Robber” Lucas. His birth information was given as June 11, 1912, in Midland, Texas. His death information was given as November 28, 1998, in Sacramento, Sacramento County, California.

Inmate details

Lucas was described as an inmate with the number “224-AZ.” His age was given as 26.

Offences and sentence history

Lucas was originally sentenced to thirty years’ imprisonment for bank robbery and violation of the Dyer Act (interstate trafficking of stolen vehicles).

Lucas arrived at Alcatraz in January 1935 from the Texas State Prison.

Lucas was also described as being “also wanted in Texas,” where he was sentenced for life for escape, bank robbery and assault to murder.

For the murder of Royal Kline (also given as R.C. Cline), Lucas was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1938.

Attack on Al Capone (Alcatraz)

On June 23, 1936, Lucas stabbed Al Capone in the back with a pair of shears from the prison barber shop. Al Capone had been working in the laundry area about 10 feet (3 m) away.

Lucas was sent to solitary confinement for his attack on Capone.

Alcatraz escape attempt (1938)

Planned escape

In the spring of 1938, Lucas, Thomas R. Limerick, and Rufus Franklin planned an escape from Alcatraz.

Their escape plan involved incapacitating an unarmed custodial worker supervising a work detail on the top floor. After the supervising worker was rendered unconscious, the convicts were to escape through a window to the rooftop, where they would incapacitate an armed guard and leave the island via a seized police boat.

Execution of the plan on May 23, 1938

The escape plan was enacted on May 23, 1938.

Shortly after 2 p.m., Franklin, Limerick and “Jimmy Lucas” moved from the woodworking shop to the top floor of the factory building. They brought a hammer, lead weights and pieces of iron.

Senior custodial officer R.C. Cline (identified earlier as Royal Kline) was patrolling the floor unarmed. The three convicts beat Cline repeatedly over the head with the hammer. They then went out of a window and crawled up onto the roof after cutting through barbwire.

Attack on the armed guard

On the roof, the convicts attacked the armed guard on duty by flinging the lead weights and pieces of iron at the glass tower from three directions. The shatter-proof glass held against the barrage, and only one lead weight managed to get through, slightly injuring the guard’s leg.

The guard opened fire and hit Franklin in the shoulder and Limerick in the head. Lucas gave up as soon as other guards rushed up to the roof.

Their stated goal included attempting to disarm other guards with the weapon from the first guard, seize the prison boat, and make their way off the island.

Deaths resulting from the escape attempt

Limerick died from the wound inflicted to his head that evening in the prison hospital.

R.C. Cline died the following day at the Marine Hospital from the wounds inflicted by the convicts.

The custodial worker was also described as dying of his injuries the next day.

Surrender and trial

Other guards arrived at the scene after Lucas and the others were confronted on the roof. Franklin, Limerick and Lucas were cornered and surrendered to the guards.

Franklin, Limerick and Lucas were tried for murder. Franklin, Lucas and the other surviving convict were described as being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Cline. Thomas Limerick also died.

Sentence for murder and 1938 status

Lucas and the other surviving convict, Rufus Franklin, were tried for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1938.

Bureau of Prisons and release information

Lucas was described as having a Bureau of Prisons history that included being transferred from Alcatraz (with no specific date given), being paroled in April 1958, violating parole and returning to custody, and being released from USP McNeil Island camp via presidential commutation of sentence.

Aftermath and family details

Cline left behind a wife and four daughters.

Timeline

• June 23, 1936 — Lucas stabbed Al Capone in the back with shears from the prison barber shop; Lucas was sent to solitary confinement.
• January 1935 — Lucas arrived at Alcatraz from the Texas State Prison.
• May 23, 1938 — Lucas, Thomas R. Limerick, and Rufus Franklin enacted an Alcatraz escape attempt; they assaulted senior custodial officer R.C. Cline and then attacked the armed guard on the roof.
• May 24, 1938 — Senior custodial officer R.C. Cline died from his injuries.
• November 28, 1998 — James Crittenton Lucas died in Sacramento, Sacramento County, California.

Other details

Lucas was known as James “Texas Bank Robber” Lucas while at Alcatraz.