Jason Patrick Tope, who escaped from his cell in the county jail in February, demanded a jury trial for the felony charge during a court appearance Monday.

Last November, Tope was arrested and detained, together with his brother Shawn Casey Tope, for producing methamphetamine in the garage of his residence on Giles Place in Albert Lea.

The jailbreak occurred after midnight on Feb. 8. Tope pried open a window in his medium security cell using part of a crutch he was allowed to use by a doctor. Then he slid down a rope made of blankets and sheets to the street.

Tips from his friend led led the police to a possible hideout in St. Paul, where investigators of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested Tope last month.

Tope will appear in court again Friday for his meth production charge.