Escape From Fort Pillow

By: Douglas E. Jones

Narrated by: James Edward Thomas

A story from the anthology Masters of True Crime, which spans murder cases from the beginning of the 20th century to today. This is a must-hear for fans of true crime and will also be compelling to mystery and thriller listeners.

©2012 R. Barri Flowers (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Deadly Tale of Murder and Escape in 1984

On the same site as the civil war Battle of Fort Pillow in 1864 where Confederate soldiers mascaraed Union soldiers, leaving an estimated 350 killed, came a prison break in 1984 that would forever be remembered by the residents of Lauderdale County, Tennessee. Five prisoners escaped that day: Ronald Lee Freeman, age 41, James A. Clegg, age 30, Randolph Oliver, age 33, Riley Arzeneaux, age 26, and Sylvester Alexander, age 33. All hard core criminals serving time for robbery, rape and murder, during the escape three more would die, including one of the escaped inmates (Freeman). They took hostages, stole vehicles and went on a joyride across several states before their eventual capture some 18 days later. A corrupt system, where security was lax and weapons could be secured from the prison guards aided in the inmates escape, and the prison was eventually investigated and charged by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This is a chilling . . . and sometimes strange tale of the days the inmates were on the run . . . and very interesting conversations that they had with the people that they came into contact with. Great short true crime tale!