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Jail inmate uses knife in escape try An Arizona man charged with several Medford burglaries tried to escape Sunday from the Josephine County Jail. James Lee Stephens, 31, could face charges of first-degree escape, second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, supplying contraband, menacing, assaulting a public safety officer, and first-degree robbery. Jail commander Sgt. Larry Michels said Stephens was working in the jail kitchen when he grabbed a knife and placed it against the throat of deputy Neal Haley. Michels said Stephens demanded a key to escape. Haley said staff did not carry those keys, and Stephens searched him, looking for a key that would allow him to leave the jail. When Stephens could not find a key, he dropped the knife and returned to the cell block. Michels said the incident occurred out of view of other inmates, and no other inmates appeared to be involved. Michels said prisoners who work in the kitchen have access to knives. Haley suffered a two-inch cut on the right side of his neck. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and released to return to work. Michels commended Haley for acting in a way that did not escalate the situation. Stephens was arrested last October in Medford in connection with at least two armed robberies, and police suspected he might have been involved in several others. He was arrested in Grants Pass on Sept. 30, 1999, on a charge of felon in possession of a weapon and possessing methamphetamine. He will face the Jackson County charges after trial on the Josephine County charges. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA