Podcast Summary: The Unforgotten – S1E5: "E. Ray the D.A." (July 29, 2024)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the complex and controversial figure of E. Ray Andrews, the former head prosecutor (District Attorney) of Henderson County, Texas. Andrews played a pivotal role in the murder indictment of Jerry Mack Watkins, husband of the slain Shelly Salter Watkins—the centerpiece case of Season 1, The Labor Day Ghost. The hosts—Carol Dawson, Wes Ferguson, and their colleagues—explore Andrews’ checkered history, his volatile career trajectory, personal vices, and his influence on the Watkins case. Through direct interviews, anecdotes, and narration, the episode paints a nuanced picture of the flawed prosecutor whose actions—both professional and personal—left a lasting impact on the justice system and the community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meeting E. Ray Andrews (00:04-03:27)

• First Visit: The hosts track down 83-year-old E. Ray Andrews in an East Texas nursing home, initially finding him frail and reluctant to talk.
• Personal Connect: Carol’s father was once E. Ray’s law professor, laying a foundation for rapport.
• Getting E. Ray to Talk: The team negotiates with E. Ray to discuss the Watkins case, agreeing to return after the holidays.

Quote:
“We want to see what E. Ray remembers about the case against Jerry Mack. Because E. Ray should know better than anyone why that case flew right off the rails.” – Wes Ferguson (00:22)

2. The Persona and Reputation of E. Ray Andrews (05:02-09:41)

• Community Fixture: E. Ray, though not originally from Athens, Texas, became a dominant figure, known for his folksy demeanor and polarizing presence.
• Complex Character: Described as both brilliant and embarrassing, E. Ray had advocates and detractors but was universally recognized as a formidable trial lawyer.
• Personal Bonds: Christy Warrick recalls E. Ray’s deep ties to her family, revealing his financial struggles and frequent borrowing habits.

Quote:
“He was a really good lawyer... always had some sort of little smart ass comment to say, but in a way that typically it didn’t offend people... There were people that did not like E. Ray at all.” – Mike Head (05:48)

3. The Black Widow Case and Ethical Quandaries (09:41-12:08)

• Betty Lou Beets Fiasco: E. Ray represented a notorious client, Betty Lou Beets, in a capital murder case, entangling himself in a business arrangement over media rights and neglecting proper legal ethics by failing to withdraw as counsel (even as he could have been a key witness).
• Impact: Though his actions nearly led to Beets’ conviction being overturned, her execution went forward after appeals.

Quote:
“So it was E. Ray who told Ms. Beets how to benefit from her husband’s death after she had already killed him. That fact would have made Andrews a life-saving witness for Beets. But to be a witness, he would have had to withdraw as her defense lawyer and give up his fee.” – Host/Narrator (10:03)

4. Rise to District Attorney Amid Scandal (12:08-13:54)

• Political Success: Despite controversy, E. Ray wins the District Attorney seat in Henderson County.
• Staff Perspectives: Mike Head, a young assistant DA, explains how E. Ray delegated significant courtroom responsibility, initially providing valuable on-the-job experience before succumbing again to his vices.

Quote:
“He was a really good person to learn from. And things ran smoothly for probably about a year over there... And then things kind of went off track when he really started drinking again.” – Mike Head (12:56)

5. The Watkins Case: Ambition, Alcohol, and Chaos (13:54-16:03)

• Pushing for Indictment: Despite law enforcement caution, E. Ray aggressively pursued prosecuting Jerry Mack Watkins for Shelly’s murder, seeking public glory.
• Professional Decline: E. Ray’s increasing dependence on alcohol led to erratic behavior, absenteeism, and lost professionalism.

Quote:
“Now, everybody kind of assumed at the time, in hindsight... E. Ray loved to see his name in the paper and just enjoyed the media attention.” – Mike Head (14:46)

6. Public Scandal, Wild Turkey, and Office Dysfunction (16:03-19:34)

• Personal Crisis: E. Ray’s substance abuse was evident to those working with him; he staged appearances of diligence while frequently absent, relying on subordinates to cover for him.

Memorable Moment:
Mike describes driving E. Ray’s red Jeep to the courthouse each morning so it looked like the DA was at work, while E. Ray stayed home to recover from hangovers.

Quote:
“With his new red Jeep parked outside the courthouse, it looked to the rest of the world like E. Ray was hard at work, even though he was back home sleeping off another hangover.” – Host/Narrator (19:00)

7. Office Dynamics: The Hiring of Donna Little (20:10-22:46)

• Strategic (or Self-Destructive) Hire: E. Ray hires experienced attorney Donna Little—well-connected with his office rivals—ostensibly to fill the gap during his absences, but this makes him vulnerable to internal scrutiny.
• Tensions: Staff voice concerns, sensing E. Ray is undermining his own leadership.
• Donna's Role: Ultimately, Donna is handed the Watkins case, thrust into the spotlight as E. Ray was investigated.

Quote:
“Really, what he needed to do was not hire someone else and come to work.” – Mike Head (20:41)

8. Crime and Corruption Come to a Head (24:37-27:17)

• Financial Manipulation: E. Ray’s personal debts spiral. He arranges loans from the local bank in exchange for favors, and is caught taking cash to influence cases plus misappropriating state funds ($27,000 from a discretionary fund).
• Official Scrutiny: These actions attract county and then state investigators—just as the Watkins trial approaches.

Quote:
“Reading between the lines, I wouldn’t be surprised if Larry is the one who tips off the state authorities. At this point, investigators from the Texas Attorney General’s office show up in Athens digging into E. Ray’s web of misdeeds.” – Wes Ferguson (26:00)

9. E. Ray's Own Words on Watkins Case Motivation (29:18-30:11)

• Confessional Moment: In a post-holiday visit, Carol confronts E. Ray directly about why he pushed so hard on the Watkins prosecution.
• His Explanation: E. Ray frames his approach as an attempt to get a “rich man, poor man conviction”—a statement suggesting both personal pride and a possible vendetta against the privileged.

Quote:
“He had a lot of things going against him. I figured I could at least get a rich man, poor man conviction.” – E. Ray Andrews (29:18)

• E. Ray admits to Carol’s query that he indeed felt “set up” during all of this.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Black Widow Fiasco:
  “He said the case was going to turn into a big movie and he had all the rights to it.”
  — Mike Head, relating bar talk about E. Ray (11:19)

• Office Disguise:
  “It looked to the rest of the world like E. Ray was hard at work, even though he was back home sleeping off another hangover.”
  — Host/Narrator (19:00)

• On Corruption:
  “We know that you paid E. Ray money. … And we know you cashed checks when E. Ray would get money from the state to give for salaries to his employees… to make up their salary.”
  — Jeff Milslagel, retired lawman (27:43)

• Self-Reflective E. Ray:
  “Of course, I claim that I was doing it to get their money. I didn’t want their money.”
  — E. Ray Andrews (29:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04-03:27: First visit to nursing home, initial negotiation with E. Ray
• 09:41-12:08: Betty Lou Beets ("Black Widow") scandal
• 12:36-13:54: Mike Head on working for E. Ray
• 16:03-19:34: Substance abuse and office cover-ups
• 20:10-22:46: Hiring Donna Little, office politics
• 24:37-27:17: Corruption, loans, and the unraveling investigation
• 29:18-30:11: E. Ray on the Watkins prosecution, revealing his motives

Episode Tone

The tone is investigative yet conversational—often poignant, at times darkly humorous. The hosts balance compassion for E. Ray’s frailties with a clear-eyed critique of his ethical failings, grounding the episode in the small-town dynamics and personal histories that both complicate and enrich the pursuit of justice.

Conclusion

“E. Ray the D.A.” takes listeners deep into the flawed world of small-town politics, where ambition, addiction, and moral ambiguities collide. Through interviews and storytelling, the podcast exposes how one man’s personal battles and public failings shaped the course of a notorious East Texas murder case—and left a lasting shadow over the pursuit of justice.