Defendant in escape plot enters plea

Friday, Sept. 8, 2000 | 11:34 a.m.

Tawanee Rushelle Barrett, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit escape. Under the agreement, she is to be sentenced to probation and no more than 10 additional months in jail, where she has been held since she and others were arrested on June 12.

Authorities say Barrett, Dennis Schilinski, 28, of Golden Shores, and four others allegedly had intended to free David S. Goldberg, 41, by killing the guard who would be escorting Goldberg to a court change-of-plea hearing.

A tip allowed authorities to stake out the area and arrest the six people alleged to have been involved.

Goldberg subsequently pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Judge Steven Conn of Mohave County Superior Court ordered a portion of the Barrett plea agreement sealed but indicated that testimony against the others was a condition.

Those also facing charges in the escape plot are Eugene Joseph Cofsky, 41, of Kingman; his wife, Sheri Diane Cofsky, 36; Ronald Lee Manning, 43, of Las Vegas; and Tracy Dale Date, 36, of Shore View, Minn.

The Cofskys' trial is set for Oct. 23. Trial dates for the others haven't been set.

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