Killer serving life escapes by mistake, tracked down in Georgia
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A Florida jail mistakenly released convicted murderer James Daniels. His days on the run ended in Georgia, where a councilwoman now faces charges.

REYNOLDS, Ga. — A convicted murderer serving life for kidnapping, torture and murder was mistakenly released from a Miami jail, sparking a $30,000 manhunt that ended in Georgia, where a councilwoman is now facing charges.

James Daniels, 60, known by the nickname “45,” was arrested Wednesday at a home on Mims Street in Reynolds, Georgia. Authorities say Daniels was found at the residence of Timishea Price, a member of the Reynolds City Council. Price was also taken into custody and charged with hindering the apprehension of a criminal, a felony.

More on Daniels: Convicted of torture and murder

Corrections officers mistakenly released Daniels from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami last week, according to reports from other news stations. According to investigators, Daniels has a violent criminal history. 

Five years ago, Daniels and two others kidnapped, tortured and robbed three men in Miami, per prior reporting. Two of those victims died.

After serving time for the murders in a state prison in Lake City, Florida, Daniels was transferred to Miami-Dade custody last Wednesday to face additional local charges, according to CBS Miami. Instead, he was incorrectly released two days later. The Department of Corrections took a whole day to notify the U.S. Marshals Service about the release.

Reynolds Police Chief Lonnie Holder said the U.S. Marshals contacted his department around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“They basically asked me, did we know a person that stayed at that address,” Holder said. “So, yes, we did, we know the address, Ms. Price, who lived there. And I said yes, and they said we’ll be there within an hour.”


Arrest in Reynolds, Georgia, at councilwoman’s home

The U.S. Marshals, with assistance from the Reynolds Police Department, surrounded Price’s home and arrested Daniels without incident. Holder said his officers played a support role while federal agents led the investigation.

“Of course, that’s alarming to us that we had a fugitive in Reynolds,” Holder said. “So my job as chief of police is to make sure that my citizens are safe.”

Ruby Wilder, who lives across the street from Price, witnessed the operation unfold. She said she saw approximately 10 police vehicles and officers carrying long rifles converge on the property.

“When I was me and my brother in the house, and I saw all the police trucks and things with the lights on it, and I told my brother, ‘Something is going on,'” Wilder said.


Wilder described Price as a good neighbor who suffers from seizures and other health conditions. She said she regularly checks on Price and was troubled by the arrest.

“I don’t know, but it bothered me, you know, because I know she was such a good person,” Wilder said. “Whatever the reason she did, I don’t know. But why are they trying to make her out of just a bad person? She’s not. She’s a good person.”

According to a release from the Reynolds Police Department, warrants were being sought for Price on charges of hindering the apprehension of a criminal. However, Price was seen at her home on Thursday and declined to comment. 

The Reynolds Police Department said Price was released on a $5,000 bond. It remains unclear whether the charges will proceed or be dropped.

The Reynolds Police Department said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be forthcoming. Authorities have not revealed how Daniels knew Price or why he traveled to Reynolds after his release from the Miami jail.

Daniels remains in custody and will face charges related to his escape and the original crimes for which he was convicted.

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