Gloves and clean-up materials remain on the balcony where Jerry Richards attempted to escape this morning. Jill Ballinger/THE GAZETTEMariposa County Sheriff's officers Sterling Cramer and Tim Rumfelt look up at the balcony where a jail inmate attempted escape this morning. Directly below it is the pool of blood left after the inmate suffered severe lacerations. Jill Ballinger/THE GAZETTE

An inmate of the Mariposa County Jail attempted to escape at the Courthouse this morning, and he severely injured himself in the process.

Jerry Richards, 59, of Mariposa, had made an appearance in court on drug charges. As he and five other inmates were being escorted out of the courthouse, Richards busted through the glass of the upstairs doors on the backside of the building.

According to Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies, Richards got out of the control of the two officers and attempted to jump off the small balcony. The jailers were able to stop him before he jumped, but not before he suffered lacerations to his upper torso that were severe enough to require helicopter transportation to a valley hospital.

The scene remains closed, and there is a substantial amount of blood on the balcony and directly below it. 

More information will be provided as it is received.