In the second installment of a gripping series, we delve into the pursuit of an individual who managed to breach a jail under construction in Nashville. Known as “Einstein” among his fellow inmates, this criminal’s initial foray into crime involved pilfering baseball cards from a local Kroger supermarket. Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall would later dub him an “evil genius,” though his humble beginnings as a collector of comic books, Legos, coins, and baseball cards seemed far from diabolical.
At the age of 22, Einstein’s criminal journey began with the attempted theft of baseball cards. This incident predated his audacious impersonation of a painter to abscond with keys from Nashville’s new Downtown Detention Center.
The year was 1991 when Einstein found himself in a predicament at Kroger, facing off against store personnel after attempting to make off with his loot. A sudden escalation saw him brandishing a firearm, compelling the store manager to accompany him. Despite the tense standoff, Einstein managed to flee the scene, triggering a chase that culminated in a crash on Murfreesboro Road.
However, the true essence of his criminal brilliance was revealed when law enforcement officers uncovered a trove of ingenious tools in Einstein’s possession. From a modified cassette player concealing a loaded handgun to razor blades strategically stashed on his person and an arsenal of handcuff keys, his preparedness left authorities astounded. Einstein’s proficiency in deception was further underscored by the hidden handcuff key in his shoe, a key for a police car’s shotgun rack, and an innocuous-looking pen that doubled as an ice pick.
Reflecting on his actions, Einstein confessed to a complex web of compulsions and unresolved psychological issues, acknowledging a dire need for professional intervention. The extent of his cunning and expertise, honed within the confines of a jail cell, left investigators and officials alike in awe of his criminal acumen.
Incarcerated to address my issues and enhance my understanding…”Einstein indeed. Following a probation violation, Einstein was returned to jail, where he would remain for nine years. About “Chasing Einstein,” this series is based on seven months of research and extensive public records from the courts and law enforcement. The Tennessean conducted numerous interviews with friends, associates, investigators, a defending attorney, and the Davidson County sheriff overseeing the case. The subject declined to provide an on-record comment.
An accomplished writer, Einstein spent most of his time (1991-1999) at the South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton, operated by the Corrections Corporation of America (now CoreCivic). Notably, Einstein expressed disdain for CoreCivic, suing them in 1996 for civil rights violations and winning the case. He later wrote about the prison conditions and won a PEN Award in 1999 for his prison drama “The Room.” Einstein was released in November 1999.
During Einstein’s incarceration, Daron Hall was making a name for himself in the corrections field. Rising through the ranks, Hall eventually became the youngest sheriff in Davidson County history in 2002. The series “Chasing Einstein” delves into the events surrounding Einstein’s time in prison and the criminal justice system.
Davidson County faced challenges with its aging Criminal Justice Center where Hall served as warden. Despite housing notorious criminals like the Fast Food Killer and others, the facility was deteriorating. The series uncovers the history and issues faced by Davidson County, shedding light on the criminal justice system.
The Criminal Justice Center faced numerous issues, from flooding and sewage problems to malfunctioning fire protection sprinklers and frequent elevator breakdowns. Sheriff Daron Hall described the building as plagued with toilets backing up, sewage running down walls, and horrendous food. Overcrowding was also a major concern, with the facility designed for 780 inmates but housing over 1,100 in the late 1980s. The federal court had to intervene to manage the overcrowding effectively.
Hall likened the aging process of jails to that of dogs, noting that the CJC was 30 years old in 2012, equivalent to 90 in prison years. He proposed replacing the CJC with a new facility on Harding Place, although he faced challenges as jails were not considered attractive projects. Despite a study recommending the construction of the new jail in Antioch, residents and councilmembers pushed for the facility to be built downtown.
Ultimately, the decision was made to demolish the CJC and construct the new Downtown Detention Center on the same site at a cost estimated between $100 and $200 million. The new construction was approved in April 2015, coinciding with Einstein’s activities in planning a storage unit in Nashville. Einstein hired a contractor to build the unit, concealing a stash of firearms within crates marked as legal files.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Hall formed a working group to scrutinize the contracts for the Metro Detention Facility in Antioch, with stakeholders like Metro Council member Freddie O’Connell involved in the discussions. The process involved detailed deliberations to ensure the effective management of the new facility.
Friedmann, a consultant for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, and Jeannie Alexander, an attorney, faith leader, and activist for prison reform, along with members of Hall’s staff, engaged in multiple meetings and discussions with the sheriff. Alexander, known for her fearlessness in protesting for prison issues she believed in, shared that the goal of these conversations was to foster collaboration and mutual effort. The committee convened regularly before and during the construction of the new jail. Friedmann, described by Alexander as “arrest averse,” naturally emerged as the committee’s spokesperson. The two developed a friendship, culminating in Alexander officiating Friedmann’s wedding to Alice Burke in 2019.
Their shared dedication to advocating for incarcerated individuals led them to work diligently on the committee to amplify the voices of marginalized prisoners. At the conclusion of the committee’s sessions, Friedmann submitted a document containing 20 recommendations. These suggestions included measures like barring ICE detainees from the jail, establishing price limits for commissary goods, introducing an “ombudsman” role to represent prisoners and families, and allowing extended attorney visitation hours. Friedmann, a prominent figure in the prison reform community due to his influential role at Prison Legal News, also raised concerns about the new jail’s space allocation.
In correspondence with Hall’s Chief of Staff Karla West, Friedmann inquired about the availability of a library or law library within the upcoming jail for prisoners to access books and conduct research. Regrettably, the response indicated there would be no such provision. Additionally, before attending his initial meeting, Friedmann sought clarification on parking arrangements.
Despite the committee’s efforts, the Downtown Detention Center was approved, with a total cost of approximately $200 million. The facility included a 64-bed unit dedicated to a mental health diversion program, and construction commenced in May 2017. However, Hall and the jail staff were unaware of a fraudulent painter known as “Einstein,” who had illicitly entered the DDC numerous times during construction.
The first documented intrusion occurred on Aug. 9, 2019, coinciding with the activation of security cameras. Although his exact number of visits prior to this date remains uncertain, the faux painter’s final recorded entry was on Dec. 28, 2019, during which he accessed the key control room and inspected various locks within the facility. Subsequently, on Dec. 30, 2019, Lieutenant Thomas Conrad stumbled upon a peculiar discovery in the typically empty key control room: a distinctive stainless steel key ring among the standard black ones.
“He removed the circular key ring from the wall for closer inspection. Aware that each ring was designed to accommodate 11 keys, Conrad noted, ‘I counted nine on this one.’ He recounted it meticulously, likely tallying it up 30 or 40 times. Upon cross-referencing with the inventory list, he identified two missing keys: the ‘K’ for kitchen and ‘GM’ for general movement. An unsettling realization dawned on Conrad – he was facing a significant issue.
Part 3 delves into the intriguing question of whether Einstein could have inadvertently gotten caught in the jail without realizing it was a carefully laid trap. What unfolded in the aftermath?
Explore the captivating series ‘Chasing Einstein’:
– Part 1: The disappearance of two crucial keys at an under-construction Nashville jail sparks concerns over potential chaos.
– Part 2: Unveiling the array of tools a seasoned Nashville criminal had at his disposal, from a razor concealed in his shoe to a makeshift ice pick, hinting at his craft honed within jail walls.
– Part 3: Delve into the enigma of whether Einstein could have unknowingly fallen into the jail trap and the subsequent events that transpired.
– Part 4: Einstein’s startling rationale for breaking into the newly erected downtown Nashville jail leaves many astounded.
Originally featured in the Nashville Tennessean, this article recounts the mysterious intrusion by an unidentified individual into the newly established jail facility before any inmates were transferred.”
