10:10 p.m.: Hudson remains at large

By Shawn McGrath

July 08, 2008 10:07 pm

— ANDERSON — The day after kidnapping an Anderson attorney at knifepoint and stealing his sport utility vehicle, a former Madison County Jail prisoner remains on the loose, and his brother said Tuesday “he’s capable of anything.”
Anderson police Sgt. William Casey, department spokesman, said Richard “Rick” L. Hudson, 52, had not been apprehended as of late Tuesday, but there had been a sighting reported in Jay County, about 50 miles northeast of Anderson.
Casey said Hudson was reportedly in the Jay County area to see his father, but Randy Hudson, Richard Hudson’s brother, said Tuesday both of his parents are dead.
Randy Hudson, Anderson, declined to comment at length about his brother’s escape because he believes his family is in danger.
“For my family’s safety it’s better not to say anything,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of frame of mind he might be in.”
Richard Hudson was being held at the jail on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge; police allege he beat his live-in girlfriend in June. His attorney, Thomas Hamer, received permission from Anderson City Court officials to transport Hudson Monday to Indianapolis for a Social Security disability hearing.
When the two returned to Anderson and neared the jail, Hudson quickly got out of Hamer’s SUV, climbed into the rear and held a knife to the attorney’s throat. They drove to an Anderson cemetery and Hudson tied up Hamer. Hudson then drove to Rangeline Nature Preserve and released Hamer. Hamer was able to free himself and get help. Hamer suffered only minor injuries in the attack.
Randy Hudson said he hasn’t talked with his brother in over a year, after the two had a dispute over his father’s estate. Their father, Robert Hudson, died in March 2007, while their mother, Betty Hudson, died in 2002.
“I’m afraid he could come over here,” Randy Hudson said. “I’m afraid anything that I might say could jeopardize my family’s life. I think he’s capable of anything.”
Randy Hudson said he wasn’t surprised his brother was able to convince Hamer he posed no danger.
“He’s a smooth talker,” Randy Hudson said. “He can be a mean guy, he can be a not-mean guy. He can be in between. He can be a real nice guy.”
Along with two brothers living in Anderson, Richard Hudson’s only other relative is an aunt living in Indianapolis.
Richard Hudson took Hamer’s wallet during the kidnapping, but Casey said there have been no reports of Hamer’s credit cards or automatic teller machine cards being used.
“I thought he was OK, but I don’t know. He fooled me,” said Trisha Young, Anderson, who has known Hudson since he was released from a Florida prison in 2004 after serving 23 years on several charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault.
“I hope I don’t run into him,” she continued. “It’s been a stressful day and night.”
Richard Hudson was being held in the Madison County Jail on $5,000 bond on a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery. He was accused of beating his 49-year-old live-in girlfriend on June 10. The Herald Bulletin generally doesn’t name crime victims.
The woman told police that Hudson said he would kill her upon his release from jail. Young, who is friends with the woman, said she had been living with a friend in Elwood, but has since gone into hiding after learning of Hudson’s escape.
Hamer previously told the newspaper Hudson did indicate he wanted to kill his ex-girlfriend.
“He was driving, talking about how he was going to kill his ex-girlfriend,” Hamer said Monday. “I tried talking him out of it, but he was saying he was going to kill her, then commit suicide. What I thought he was going to do was go to this girl’s house, stab her, take the pills — he said he already had the pills, and I thought he would leave me in the car.”
The woman has not returned a message seeking comment left through Young.
“She seems to be doing OK,” Young said. “She said she feels a little more secure. It stresses her out to talk about it.”

Have a tip?
Richard L. Hudson, 52, is accused of kidnapping Anderson attorney Thomas Hamer and stealing his sport utility vehicle Monday. He remained at large late Tuesday and is considered armed and dangerous. He has also threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend.
Hudson is described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 150 pounds. He had a long, gray beard and hair at the time of his escape. He is believed to be driving a 2007 red or burgundy Ford Escape hybrid with Riley Hospital for Children license plate RK114.
Anyone with information should contact Anderson police at (765) 648-6730.