Police: Attorney Taken Hostage, Robbed By Client

ANDERSON, Ind. -- A jail inmate remained at large Tuesday, a day after police say he attacked his attorney, left him bound at a nature preserve and then stole his SUV.

Anderson police were seeking Richard L. Hudson, 52, who was last believed to be driving the attorney's red 2007 Ford Escape.

Anderson attorney Thomas Hamer said that he and his client had gone to a Social Security disability hearing in Indianapolis and they were returning to the Madison County Jail when Hudson suddenly jumped into the back seat and held a knife to his throat. It was not clear where Hudson got the knife.

Hudson had been jailed on a charge of domestic battery stemming from a disturbance June 10, according to court records.

Hamer told The Herald Bulletin that Hudson forced him to drive to a cemetery, where he bound Hamer's hands behind his back with a belt.

"When we got to the cemetery, we kept going farther and farther back, and that's the first time I thought he was going to kill me," Hamer told the newspaper.

Hamer said Hudson then drove the SUV to the Rangeline Nature Preserve on the city's east side, where he tied the lawyer's feet, left him and fled in the SUV. The attorney later escaped and flagged down a passing motorist who called for help, police said.

Detective Mitch Carroll said the attorney suffered scrapes, a cut on his leg and other minor injuries.

Hudson threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend during the drive to the nature preserve, Hamer said.

Police said they consider Hudson armed and dangerous and asked anyone who might know his whereabouts to contact authorities. Hudson was described as 5-feet-10, 150 pounds with a long beard and blue eyes.

The Escape has Indiana license plate RK114 and is a Riley Hospital for Children plate.

Police Sgt. Bill Casey said Hudson also had spent more than 20 years in a Florida prison for robbery.

The Herald Bulletin reported that Hamer arranged with Anderson City Court Judge Donald Phillippe for Hudson's temporary release from jail when he could not pay his $500 bond in time for the hearing in Indianapolis.

Police asked anyone with information to call their local police department or Crime Stoppers at 800-92-ALERT.