Patre Eugene Williams was staring down a 30-year sentence if that Fort Myers, Florida, jury found him guilty. Accused of selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, the prosecution had concluded their case against Williams. All that was missing was the defendant's testimony, but Williams wasn't sure he wanted to take the stand. His lawyer, John D. Mills, asked the court for a brief recess. The judge complied, but when the time came for the trial to resume, Williams was nowhere to be found.

Circuit Judge James R. Thompson gave Williams 15 minutes to show, then told the two sides to go ahead with their closing arguments. Perhaps Williams knew something the jury didn't. Or maybe he just had little faith in the justice system. Regardless, when the jury returned after just 30 minutes of deliberation, Williams was still on the run, missing out on hearing the court declare him innocent of all charges.

» Scott Saxon