Escaped murderer in New York called cunning and evil

Escaped murderer Richard Matt is the definition of the word "evil," a former accomplice told CNN.

Lee Bates, who saw Matt snap his victim's neck in 1997, told CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" that what Matt did during a 27-hour kidnapping that led to murder was heinous.

"Torture is probably an understatement," Bates told CNN by phone. He said Matt shoved a knife sharpener in his victim's ear at one point then beat and punched William Rickerson in an attempt to get money from the businessman. When Rickerson didn't comply, Matt broke his neck then dismembered the body.

Bates, who drove the car in which Rickerson was tied up, testified in 2008 against Matt and is concerned the escapee might seek revenge. He said he was scared of Matt during their crimes and was scared of him now.

The one-time accomplice told CNN that he knows Matt put a lot of thought into planning his latest jailbreak.

"He is a very cunning and dangerous individual," said Bates, who was convicted 17 years ago of second-degree murder. He served 15 years.

Matt and another inmate from the Clinton Correctional Facility in northern New York, David Sweat, now are trying to figure out their next move, following a weekend prison escape.