Jul 24, 2007 11:36 pm US/Eastern
'Mad Hatter' Suspect: 'I Don't Wear Hats'
James Madison Gives CBS 2 HD Jailhouse Interview
by Christine Sloan
NEWARK (CBS) ―
He's a convicted killer, but says he's no bank robber.
In a jailhouse interview on Tuesday, James Madison, the man suspected of being the "Mad Hatter," told CBS 2 HD it's a case of mistaken identity.
"I don't rob people. I don't wear hats," he said, referring to the suspect wanted in 18 bank robberies in New Jersey.
CBS 2 HD wasn't allowed to take a camera, but Madison, who's only been charged with Sunday's robbery of a Bank of America inside the Pathmark Shopping Center, spoke in detail.
Madison said he was at the supermarket, but there to buy soda when a teller wrote down the license plate number of the car he was in -- a Nissan Altima belonging to his girlfriend.
At the Irvington church, where Madison attended services several times a week, friends said they're shocked.
"The James Madison that we at Christian Love know is loving, sweet, caring individual," Arlene Tyler said.
In jail, Madison spoke gently, telling us he's been watching the media coverage of the "Mad Hatter" and that "they made that guy into a legend."
We reminded him how many say he bears a striking resemblance to the hat bandit.
Madison said months ago his parole officer told him "that guy's too old, he doesn't look like you."
The parole board admits police had suspicions early on but were thrown off when the 50-year-old came up with an alibi.
Madison also talked to CBS 2 HD about his murder conviction. He admits he struck girlfriend Terry Lee Wells with a lamp and that "I panicked, picked up the phone, thought of calling the police but when I saw her in a pool blood, I got scared, I didn't want to go to jail.
"It was the worst mistake I've ever made."
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