Orlando Newspaper Posts Fake Obit For 'Trash Chute Man'

DENVER (CBS4) - A fugitive who attempted an escape by going 17 floors down a trash chute gave up his right to a detention hearing.

Donnie Griffin, 31, was caught by U.S. marshals and Denver police in February at the Glass House condos in the 1700 block of Bassett Street. He had some bumps and bruises from his slide down the chute when he was taken into custody.

Griffin had escaped from prison in Texas last September.

By giving up his right to a detention hearing in court on Friday it cleared the way for him to be taken back to Texas.

While Griffin was on the run, someone took out an obituary for him in the Orlando Sentinel. The paper today told CBS4 they only learned later it was a fake obit and are taking steps to prevent such occurrences in the future. Four people even posted messages on the guest book.

The obituary was as follows:

"Donnie Lee Griffin II, age 30, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. He was born April 14, 1983 in Tampa, Fla. to Judy Ann Griffin and Donnie Lee Griffin Sr. His body was cremated in a private ceremony on Thursday, October 3, 2013. Donnie is survived and will be forever cherished by his mother, Judy Ann Anderson of Franklin, NC and his father, Donnie Lee Griffin Sr. of Winter Haven, Fla."

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