A murder suspect escaped from police custody while in hospital early yesterday after being treated for several stab wounds.

Seventeen-year-old Michael Defrend escaped from the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

Police want to question the East Street South resident in connection with the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Jevon Mullings on Monday.

Mullings and Defrend got into an altercation while in Union Village Monday evening where they ended up stabbing each other.

Both were taken to hospital by EMS personnel but Mullings died a short time later.

Up to press time, police had not release an All Points Bulletin with a description of the 17-year-old.

The Journal understands that Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethel is leading the investigation into Defrend’s escape.

ACP Bethel told the Journal that the police were still trying to determine how Defrend actually escaped from hospital and noted that a wanted poster should have been released by the end of the day.

The Journal also contacted PMH officials for comment, however they declined.

This is the third escape from the hospital for the year.

Several weeks ago a prisoner escaped from PMH after asking a police officer to use the bathroom.

Police have promised to tighten security at the hospital but several senior officers told the Journal yesterday that no officer has been assigned to oversee security at the health care institution.

Police are asking anyone with information on Defrend’s whereabouts to contact them at 323-0850, 323-0845, 323-0853, 323-0854, 322-3816, 302-8177 or 302-8178 or the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991.