Man Claims He Saw Murder Suspect Fleeing Anadarko Church

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

ANADARKO, Oklahoma -- An Anadarko man claimed he saw the murder suspect leaving the church where an Oklahoma pastor was found dead.

Robert Richardson said he was across the street from the church in Anadarko where the murder took place.

"This guy was coming out. He was covered in blood and he had a ski mask on. He had a knife in his hand and he was dripping blood," Richardson said.

Richardson said he was at a car wash that Sunday morning when he saw the man emerge from the Christ Holy Sanctified Church. He said it wasn't until a few hours later that he found out what happened.

"A friend of mine said Pastor Daniels got killed and that just hurt me to my heart. That was my pastor," Richardson said.

Richardson said he didn't immediately go to police right away because he was drinking at the time he saw the man, and he didn't want police to question his credibility.

"I was drinking a beer, a hurricane. I didn't want them to smell that on my breath," he said.

However, Richardson said he eventually went to police and investigators questioned him.

"That was getting me down and making me nervous, you know. They were making me seem like I'd done it, and I said ‘no, no, no, I'm not a killer.'"

Richardson is believed to be homeless living behind a car wash. Neighbors said he makes a living doing odd jobs around Anadarko, but Richardson maintains he is telling the truth. However, there are contradictions in Richardson's story. In a published report, he said the blood soaked suspect was black and bald-headed, but he told NEWS 9 he was wearing a ski mask.

"If anyone doesn't want to believe me or not, they can just go on about their business," Richardson said.

The Anadarko police chief refused to comment on Richardson's claims. An OSBI spokesperson said he could neither confirm nor deny whether investigators spoke with Richardson.

Investigators have said tips are continuing to come in. So far, there have been no arrests.

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