Burden of Proof

Case Number 64: The Appalling Murder of Laurie Houts

Laurie Houts had it all at just 25 years old. She was loved by her family, friends and peers at work. She had started a career she loved at Adobe Systems and she had a blossoming relationship with boyfriend, Brent. On September 5, 1992, Laurie left work early to get ready for a wedding she and Brent were attending that evening. Hours later she was found in her car just a mile from her office with a nylon rope around her neck.
Tune in as Elysia tries her very best to explain why despite forensic technology advances, the State can no longer retry the one and only suspect, John Kevin Woodward. Meanwhile, Savannah tries to guess the outcome and helps break down the meaning of insufficient evidence and why it is so definitive in court orders.
 
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Link to Scholarship in Laurie's memory: https://ghs-foundation-donatenow.square.site/#wCmbgu
 
Sources:
https://www.the-sun.com/news/5780580/who-was-laurie-houts-murder/
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/07/14/laurie-houts-john-woodward-arrested/
 
https://sfist.com/2023/09/01/1992-cold-case-murder-of-laurie-houts-once-again-left-in-limbo-as-longtime-suspect/
 
https://adobe.fandom.com/wiki/Laurie_Houts
 
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/12/07/laurie-houts-killing-judge-tightens-monitoring-of-defendant-while-awaiting-trial/
 
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/murder/30-years-later-tech-ceo-charged-with-the-1992-cold-case-murder-of-roommates-girlfriend
 
https://www.mv-voice.com/news/reports/1693280810.pdf
 
https://www.ancientfaces.com/person/laurie-a-houts-birth-1967-death-1992-united-states/89676302#memory-227723
 
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=1385.
 
https://content.next.westlaw.com/practical-law/document/I03414f21280f11e698dc8b09b4f043e0/Term-of-Art?viewType=FullText&transitionType=Default&contextData=(sc.Default)
 
Three Tries at Justice: Case Cracked
 
 
 
 
 
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 63: Adam Sapinkowski and The Prom Parenticide

Today's episode is brought to you by exhaustion and caffeine. Adam Sapinkowski was a teenager who seemed to have it all. Wealthy parents who gave him a private school education, regular access to $40,000, and a girlfriend that lived in the same neighborhood. What more could he ask for? No one's really sure. Adam story seemed to be that his father, Jim, was too hard on him and had even beat him before. Does that justify shooting both his parents?
Tune in to hear Savannah try to explain this very senseless case that leaves us with more questions than answers. Meanwhile, Elysia presents another scenario involving a racoon and a fridge full of food for said racoon.
For those of you that enjoy the banter, stay tuned at the end where you'll hear outtakes on why Big Jim changed to Regular Jim, Savannah's dirty mind, and our love for Ava Ryan and her nuts.
 
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Sources:
Murderpedia
 
WRAL Coverage This page has a ton of articles linked throughout the coverage of the case, most, if not all, articles linked here were used. 
 
Plea deal for teen accused of killing parents | ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
Episode 167: Last Dance: Adam Sapikowski
 
 
 
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 62: The Murder of Quad Mom, Sheila Bellush

Well known quadruplet parents, Jamie and Sheila Bellush moved their family to Sarasota, Florida in 1997 to live a more peaceful life away from her ex-husband, Allen Blackthorne. Allen had finally given up custody of his and Sheila's two daughters allowing them to move on in peace, or so they had hoped. Just months later a man broke into the Bellush's home in the middle of the day and brutally took Sheila's life in front of her toddlers. 
Join us for both a good laugh and cry as Elysia shares this true life tale of the monsters that walk among us and Savannah gives her insight on why professional hitmen will always require more money. 
 
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Sources:
Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder by Ann Rule
 
Blood & Money: S1, E2: The Millionaire's Defense
 
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/06/13/one-pleads-guilty-in-sarasota-killing/
 
https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2000/01/15/del-toro-fills-in-sarasota-authorities-on-murder-details/26525906007/
 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-106hhrg63595/html/CHRG-106hhrg63595.htm
 
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2002/07/03/death-waived-for-del-toro/28716411007/
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/378/449/592795/
 
https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/382219/file/13-1027_InitialBrief_52313.pdf
 
https://casetext.com/rule/florida-court-rules/florida-rules-of-criminal-procedure/post-trial-motions/rule-3620-when-evidence-sustains-only-conviction-of-lesser-offense
 
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ca11-16-11384/pdf/USCOURTS-ca11-16-11384-0.pdf
 
https://thelawdictionary.org/fatal-variance/
 
https://www.justice.gov/osg/brief/blackthorne-v-united-states-opposition
 
https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/unpub/00/00-51256.0.wpd.pdf
 
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/manatee/2019/03/29/murderer-of-sarasota-mother-sheila-bellush-requests-retrial/5579648007/
 
https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-county/danny-rocha-asks-for-sentence-reduction-hearing-then-has-change-of-heart/
 
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Former-S-A-millionaire-convicted-in-ex-wife-s-5907672.php
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzp9V3iw-fo&t=2947s
 
 
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Bonus Halloween Episode: Collaboration with Gore Report

Join us for a very special Halloween episode with Gage and Rae from Gore Report! First, Elysia shares the case of Ronald Clark O'Bryan otherwise known as the man who killed Halloween. If you thought checking kids' trick or treat candy for tampering was just an urban legend, you definitely don't want to miss this one! In an attempt to get a life insurance payout, Ronald ended up killing his own son and forever changing trick or treat. 
Next, Rae shares the absolutely terrifying stories that make up the legend of the black eyed children. With encounters spanning multiple countries, cultures and decades, witnesses are left with more questions than answers. Are they possessed? Are they ghosts? Are they even human? The only thing we do know is that you do NOT want to let them in! 
Once you're done with this appetizer of spook, head on over to Gore Report to listen to Gage tell the tale of The Bell Witch Haunting and Savannah share the story of The Demon House of Gary, Indiana! You can find Gore Report wherever you listen to podcasts, however, we want you to get there faster! So, here's some links...
Gore Report: A True Crime Podcast on Spotify 
Gore Report: A True Crime Podcast on Apple Podcasts
 
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Sources:
https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/court-of-criminal-appeals/1979/59731-3.html
 
https://texasarchive.org/2017_03761
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-10/31/034r-103199-idx.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_26
 
https://www.nytimes.com/1975/05/29/archives/wife-a-takes-stand-at-husbands-trial-in-sons-poisoning.html
 
https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/the-man-who-killed-halloween
 
https://www.history.com/news/how-americans-became-convinced-their-halloween-candy-was-poisoned
 
 
 
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
 

Case Number 61: The Scream Murder of Cassie Jo Stoddart

The Stoddart family thought nothing of letting 16 year old Cassie pet sit at her Aunt's house for the weekend. After all, Cassie had always been a trustworthy and responsible young lady. What no one knew, not even Cassie, was that the company she had recently been keeping were not. She and her boyfriend, Matt, had friended two classmates that had a rather dark obsession with horror movies and mass shootings. Little did Cassie know when she invited Brian Lee Draper and Torey Michael Adamcik to her Aunt's home to watch movies that her life would literally turn into a real life version of Scream. That is, until they took it from her.
Tune in as Savannah gives us an inside look at these copycat killers and their disturbingly grandiose belief that they would go down in history as some of the world's most prolific murderers. Meanwhile, Elysia gives a lot of head shakes, eye rolls and points out the narcissistic elephant in the room when some of the parents expect their murderous son to get off the hook.
 
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Sources:
https://casetext.com/case/state-v-draper-52
Supreme-court-tosses-civil-case-in-student-slaying
https://www.parkaman.com/transcripts-tapes-stoddart-murder/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MorbidReality/comments/n4bl3y/comment/gwvl3va/
Pocatello
Case documents from both were found on a PDF through the respective court
https://isc.idaho.gov/icr25
Dateline: The Last Day
Morbid: Episode 161
Generation Why Podcast
 
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
 
 

Case Number 60: The Senseless Murder of Robin Hoynes

Like most 21 year olds, Robin Hoynes looked forward to celebrating Halloween with her family and friends. Unfortunately, she wouldn't live to see the holiday. While working a closing shift the night before, Robin paid the ultimate price when she stood between William Charles Marshall and that night's profits. It's a tale quite more complicated than a robbery gone wrong though. While all signs pointed to William as the perpetrator, the case nearly went cold. It was another 23 years before he would face justice and only after creating a whole new life for himself.
Tune in as Elysia explains why a simple piece of foam padding was key in solving this crime and Savannah expresses a new fascination with footwear forensics. 
 
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Sources:
https://casetext.com/case/people-v-marshall-2078
 
Dateline: The Night Before Halloween, Season 19 Episode 53
 
https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=F96306
 
 
 
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 59: Alyssa Bustamante, The Teenage Thrill Killer

*WARNING: This case includes extra sensitive material including a child victim*
Alyssa Bustamante was just like any other teenage girl in 2009 that had endured some trauma in her early childhood, or so her family thought. They sought help for her as they knew she struggled with depression, but they had no idea the heinous thoughts running through her head. Unfortunately, they wouldn't find out the truth until 9 year old, Elizabeth Olten, went missing and all evidence pointed to Alyssa.
Tune in as Savannah walks us through Elizabeth's tragic death and how the one individual tasked with protecting Alyssa's rights failed miserably. Meanwhile, Elysia questions how people could be cousins by marriage and whether Alyssa was on the proper medication. 
 
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Sources:
 
https://youtu.be/2Y8lKomWnN4?si=JqMuLKlCC418jYUf
 
https://youtu.be/RKck8COsg_g?si=ccqmxrs1mQmKuJ3e
 
https://truecrimedaily.com/2017/03/20/diary-of-a-thrill-kill-missouri-teen-alyssa-bustamante-murders-neighbor-girl-records-event-in-journal/
 
https://krcgtv.com/news/local/secretly-filed-court-documents-surface-surrounding-bustamante-murder-case
 
https://casetext.com/case/bustamante-v-mesmer
 
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/mo-court-of-appeals/1714396.html
 
https://www.ibtimes.com/elizabeth-olten-timeline-retracing-alyssa-bustamante-murder-case-407826
 
https://murderpedia.org/female.B/b/bustamante-alyssa.htm
 
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/alyssa-bustamante-had-troubled-family-history-of-depression/article_7e289008-387f-556c-9acc-b15c97c7cfcb.html
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Elizabeth_Olten#Trial,_conviction,_and_appeal
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 58: Christian Gerhartsreiter, The Man of Many Names

A German born foreign exchange student, Christian Gerhartsreiter, conned his way into a U.S. citizenship and it's elite society. When John and Linda Sohus got in the way of Christian's plans, they suddenly disappeared under strange circumstances. Keeping just ahead of law enforcement, Christian managed to out run his crimes for 23 years before his finale when he kidnapped his own daughter while living under his most infamous alias, Clark Rockefeller. 
Join us as Elysia details how this seemingly delusional con artist nearly got away with murder and Savannah finds fulfillment in creating the illusion that Christian was a die hard Green Bay Packers fan.
 
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Sources:
 
https://www.npr.org/2011/07/10/137624164/30-year-con-from-german-kid-to-rockefeller-scion
 
The Man in the Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal
 
Blood & Money: Inventing a Rockefeller, Season 1, Episode 8
 
https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2009/06/12/rockefeller-gets-4-to/40249144007/
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/massachusetts/court-of-appeals/2012/10-p-1899.html
 
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/People_v._Gerhartsreiter_CA2/8,_B251546_(Cal._Ct._App._2015)
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 57: The Murder of Elizabeth Sennett

Always the ever loyal wife and loving mother, Elizabeth Sennett devoted her life to her family. As a Pastor, her husband Charles relied on Elizabeth for a multitude of things including being his rock through a mental health crisis. According to those closest to her, Elizabeth was nothing but joyful to do just that. However, after years of a seemingly happy marriage, something changed and Charles had a secret. 
Tune in as Savannah tells the true crime tale as old as time; husband has debt, husband has affair, husband buys hit man a water bed. Meanwhile, Elysia gets temporarily lost in the current events announcement and fights going down the rabbit trail of discussing why people resort to murder instead of just divorcing.
 
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Sources:
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11439471/amp/Alabama-man-killed-preachers-wife-1K-murder-hire-plot-set-die-lethal-injection.html
 
https://www.al.com/news/2023/08/alabama-ag-wants-new-execution-date-for-kenneth-eugene-smith-after-botched-lethal-injection.html?outputType=amp
 
https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/2010/06/10/alabama-man-executed-in-1988-contract-killing/
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11439471/amp/Alabama-man-killed-preachers-wife-1K-murder-hire-plot-set-die-lethal-injection.html
 
https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/kenneth-smith-describes-alabamas-failed-attempt-to-execute-him
 
https://www.newsweek.com/kenneth-smith-alabama-execution-murder-hire-killing-1760323
 
“American Monster” Season 3 episode 11, “Take Me To The River” 
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case Number 56: Henry Lee Jones AKA BAM, Part 2

After seemingly getting away with one murder and multiple other crimes, why wouldn't Henry's actions escalate? In this episode we cover how this career criminal made his way to being labeled a serial killer. It began with his trip to Bartlett, Tennessee where his audacity reached new heights after he unalived elderly couple Clarence and Lillian James in front of a witness. With their stolen credit cards in hand, he headed back to Florida where he did very little to cover his tracks after killing Carlos Perez in a motel room in Melbourne. 
Tune in as Elysia continues to remind everyone that these crimes all happened when Henry should have still been in prison and Savannah attempts to restrain herself from glorifying a serial killer for his choice of vanity plate. 
 
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Sources:
https://murderpedia.org/male.J/j/jones-henry-lee.htm
 
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-supreme-court/1851151.html
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2017/w2015-02210-cca-r3-dd.html
 
https://archive.commercialappeal.com/news/crime/henry-lee-jones-sentenced-to-death---again---for-2003-murders-of-bartlett-couple-ep-1085511401-324397731.html/
 
https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/tn-supreme-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-florida-man-convicted-in-slaying-of-bartlett-couple/522-25e71a7d-8d06-4fe5-8076-d83b0eb012e7#:~:text=January%2030%2C%202019-,The%20Tennessee%20Supreme%20Court%20has%20upheld%20the%20death%20penalty%20for,to%20death%20for%20the%20killings.
 
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2013/10/09/killer-found-guilty-of-murder-in-2003-slaying-in-melbourne/
 
Henry Lee Jones takes the stand in his own defense
 
 
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181