Smith, who is 24, is charged with the May 24 slaying of Vance Lee Robinson of the Delway area. Hayes said the men escaped when a jailer, Sharri Spell, was returning an inmate to his cell. The three men overpowered her, took her keys and pepper spray. Another jailer, Mary Hall, tried to help Spell but was sprayed with pepper spray and struck several times in the head, Hayes said. Both women were taken to Sampson Regional Medical Center, where they were treated and released, Hayes said.
Police believe the men got out of the building by climbing down a fire escape.
Officers from the Clinton police department, Sampson County sheriff's department, a Highway Patrol helicopter, and K-9 units from Fayetteville and Fort Bragg assisted in the search for the other two escapees. Smith was arrested in New Jersey the day after Robinson's body was found. He was stopped while driving the victim's car. He waived extradition and was returned to Sampson. He had been staying in the Garland area, but was from New Jersey, authorities said.