truTV: Not Reality. Actuality.

THE LOST SON OF SAM LETTERS

Sam the Prophet

Sam began a letter to Evans by saying, "I've got some really bad news for you. I just received a revelation that the world is going to end on June 22, 1987 at about 1:30 PM. Take care, man. See you later. You'll probably be in your cell when it happens, or maybe in the gym if you have a gym."

Gary Evans

This was Sam's way of lightening the mood between him and Evans. In the next paragraph, he went on to add, "Man, I had a terrible nightmare last night. I had a dream that two peppermint patties were flying all around my cell chasing me and bouncing off my head. ..."

Sam had an incredible skill for manipulating people into doing what he wanted. There's no doubt he sensed Evans envied him, even looked up to him, and used that to his advantage. He fed Evan's enormous ego and often wrote letters to Evans as if he were a fan of his body. "Sir, Hello, my name is Donald Jones and I am writing to you, Mister Evans, because I seen a picture of you in Muscle & Fitness Magazine and I seen you on the front cover. ... Sir, I hope one day my triceps are as big as yours. You are my idol and I have a big poster of you on my bedroom wall. ..."

Gary Evans, shirtless

Evans supplied Sam with an endless supply of food and magazines. "Thanks for the granola bars," Sam wrote. Of course I still eat them. Heck, in keeplock I'll eat anything. ... No smut for now—not enough strength."

Evans often talked about his penchant for breaking out of prison. And even once catered to the idea of buying a small flying machine. In light of that, Sam wrote, "Listen, I have a hideaway in the woods in case, in the glorious future Gary Evans, AKA 'The Man With Wings,' needs a place to lay low. I'll send you instructions in my next letter."

In none of the letters does Sam mention or even allude to God or Jesus Christ, as one might imagine a born again Christian might.