Podcast Summary: The Unforgotten

Episode 6: The Sting – Season 1, The Labor Day Ghost
Original Release: August 5, 2024
Created by: Free Range Productions
Hosts: Wes Ferguson & Carol Dawson

Main Theme

This episode, “The Sting,” uncovers the dramatic downfall of East Texas District Attorney E. Ray Andrews in the summer of 1994. In the midst of preparing the murder case against Jerry Mack Watkins—accused of killing his wife, Shelly—Andrews becomes entangled in a million-dollar bribery scheme. The episode reveals how the corrosive mix of addiction, corruption, and desperate deals brought down the district attorney and derailed the murder investigation, ultimately letting the primary suspect walk free.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to E. Ray Andrews (00:03 – 01:42)

• Jeffrey Millslegel, a retired FBI special agent, recounts his long-standing relationship with E. Ray Andrews, whom he knew as a defense attorney before Andrews became District Attorney (DA) in Athens, Texas.

  • “He was just a character. He's an East Texas character. He was elected DA and he won by a lot. I mean, there were yard signs everywhere. E. Ray for DA—that was a slogan.” (00:55, A)

• Millslegel’s law enforcement contacts, including Sheriff Slick Alford, always believed Andrews was destined for trouble.

  • “He's going to mess up. I knew it was going to happen. We all knew.” (01:27, A)

2. Downfall of E. Ray Andrews (02:36 – 09:14)

• By 1994, Andrews’ life had unraveled due to gambling debts, alcohol, and pill addiction.

  • “He was deep in gambling debt, drinking heavily, abusing prescription pills. I think it was Valium. That just got him hooked, and he couldn't afford that.” (02:36, D; 02:52, A)

• Under investigation for abusing his office and living at the Athens Country Club, Andrews concocts a plan to take a bribe from Jerry Mack Watkins to dismiss the murder indictment.

  • “What if he sabotaged the case, get the indictment dismissed? His price? A million dollars.” (04:02, D)

3. The Bribery Scheme Unfolds (09:14 – 15:49)

• Scoob Wagner, a rodeo cowboy and Andrews’ gambling buddy, acts as middleman but doesn’t know Jerry Mack personally, so he involves John Ward, a local computer repairman.
• John Ward approaches Jerry Mack Watkins with the proposal: indictment disappears for $500,000; later, the price drops to $300,000.
• Instead of succumbing, Jerry Mack and his lawyers report the scheme to Texas Ranger Ray Nutt (who was investigating him for his wife’s murder), flipping the script on Andrews.

4. The FBI Sting Operation (10:00 – 14:13)

• The FBI wires Jerry Mack and records his communications arranging the bribe.

  • “With the FBI recording his calls, Jerry Mack phones John Ward. The price to dismiss the case has now fallen to $300,000. Cash only.” (10:00, D)

• A dramatic, almost slapstick arrest occurs during the cash handover in a grocery store parking lot. John Ward, the intermediary, soils himself in fear as the FBI agents pounce.

  • “He had an accident. It was like, oh, my God, what are we gonna do?… That ranked at the top. I was like, oh, my God, what in the hell are we going to do now?” (12:34–12:57, A)

• Despite chaos, the operation succeeds and Ward quickly cooperates. They move on to Scoob Wagner, who also folds under pressure and agrees to make a call to Andrews.

5. Confronting E. Ray Andrews (15:40 – 17:20)

• When Scoob calls Andrews with the "cash," Andrews tries to backpedal, feigning confusion and denying involvement.

  • “Eray's like, what are you doing now? What do I do with $300,000? So he kind of played dumb. Kind of like, get out of here. Put it back in the bank.” (15:49, A)

• Meanwhile, Andrews is negotiating his resignation with the Texas Attorney General, timed to coincide conveniently with Jerry Mack's trial date.

• FBI raids the DA’s office, with Assistant DA Mike Head and Donna Bennett discovering just how deep the scandal ran.

  • “Well, quite honestly, when I really found out was when the FBI raided the DA's office...I thought E. Ray was just drinking too much and was going to resign. At that point, we obviously knew there was more to the story.” (17:27, E)

6. The Arrest and Confession (19:23 – 21:16)

• Andrews is found at his apartment, disheveled and hungover. He is barely coherent and gives a partial confession.

  • “He was totally disheveled. He was extremely hungover...He gave a quasi confession as best he could that day.” (19:23–20:06, A)

• He is arrested and begins withdrawal in jail, requiring hospitalization for detox symptoms.

7. Wider Corruption Exposed (21:16 – 24:19)

• The sting exposes years of corrupt practices, from shakedowns of his own employees to payoffs from DWI defendants and bankers.

  • “You want your money? Go cash it and bring me half back or whatever.” (22:37, A)

• The damage to the DA’s office morale and careers is evident; investigator Todd West is particularly devastated by the betrayal.

8. Fallout: The Tainted Murder Case (24:19 – 30:02)

• Discussion about the true mastermind—everyone agrees it was E. Ray, not the middlemen or defense attorneys.

  • “Had to be E. Ray.” (24:56, A)

• Jerry Mack’s prosecution is irreparably tainted. Defense files to dismiss due to prosecutorial misconduct, and DA’s office does not oppose.

  • “The indictment was indelibly tainted by the presence, conduct, motive, and influence of E. Ray Andrews.” (28:19, D)

• On August 26, 1994, the murder indictment against Jerry Mack Watkins is dismissed. Andrews goes to jail, while Jerry Mack goes free.

  • “On August 26, 1994...Jerry Mack's indictment in the killing of his wife, Shelly Salter Watkins, was dismissed.” (29:34–29:50, D)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He's going to mess up. I knew it was going to happen. We all knew.” — Jeff Millslegel (01:27)
• “What if he sabotaged the case, get the indictment dismissed? His price? A million dollars.” — Host (04:02)
• “With the FBI recording his calls, Jerry Mack phones John Ward. The price to dismiss the case has now fallen to $300,000. Cash only.” — Host (10:00)
• “He had an accident...That ranked at the top. I was like, oh, my God, what in the hell are we going to do now?” — Jeff Millslegel, after John Ward soils himself during the bust (12:34–12:57)
• “We thought E. Ray was just kind of lost interest in the job and was going to resign. But then when they ran in, well, then we realized there was much more going on.” — Mike Head (18:10)
• “My gut feeling is he [Jerry Mack] did it. And I always thought kind of that he got drunk, she got drunk, it got volatile, and maybe it was an accident.” — Jeff Millslegel (26:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:03 — Jeff Millslegel introduces his knowledge of E. Ray Andrews
• 02:36 — The unraveling of Andrews’ life and addictions
• 04:02 — The bribery proposal: $1 million to dismiss murder indictment
• 09:14 — The role of the middlemen: Scoob Wagner and John Ward
• 10:00 — FBI stings are set in motion; price drops to $300,000
• 12:34 — FBI raid and the infamous "poopy pants" arrest
• 15:49 — Scoob calls Andrews with the cash; Andrews backs off
• 17:27 — DA’s office raided; Assistant DAs blindsided
• 19:23 — Arrest/interview/confession of E. Ray Andrews
• 21:42 — Financial shakedowns and corruption uncovered
• 28:19 — Jerry Mack’s murder prosecution is dismissed due to taint
• 29:50 — Case officially dismissed in court

Tone and Style

Maintains a gritty realism and dark humor, especially in recounting the chaos and human foibles of the sting operation. The hosts and interviewees deliver details with frankness, irony, and a wry eye toward the absurdities and failures of institutions involved.

Conclusion

Episode 6, “The Sting,” stands out as a gripping tale of a DA's spectacular self-destruction—the result of small-town vices compounding into career-ending crimes. The collateral damage is immense: a murder case thrown out, public faith shaken, and a prime suspect walking away untried. The episode leaves listeners questioning not only the guilt of Jerry Mack Watkins but also the capacity of justice when its adversaries come from within.