Burden of Proof

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

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

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

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

*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

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

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

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

There's really nothing extraordinary about Henry Lee Jones as far as serial killers go, with one exception. He really should have still been in prison when he committed his most heinous crimes. Thanks to a court system that consistently handed him minimal sentences and a prison system that released him far too soon due to overcrowding, Henry was free to unleash his violence for far too long.

Tune in to hear how Henry's violent patterns began as Elysia lays out his early crimes and the murder he initially got away with meanwhile Savannah asks the ever important question of "What even is this case!?" 

 

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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/

 

 

 

 

 

Music By:

https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Grant Amato's life was full of privilege, maybe a little too full. Following in his older brother's footsteps he had become a successful nurse and was in graduate school to further his career as a nurse anesthetist. In a series of grave errors that led to his family's destruction, he first took it upon himself to illegally administer medication to patients. After being fired from his nursing job, he then failed out of graduate school and quickly developed an addiction. Grant became so obsessed with a bulgarian cam girl online that he committed multiple counts of fraud and continuously stole from his friends and family to pay her. He was absolutely certain that she was his true girlfriend and no one, not even his family would stand in the way of their love.

Tune in as Savannah breaks down the delusion that led to this family tragedy and Elysia goes mad with disbelief at the audacity.

 

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Sources:

 

https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/fifth-district-court-of-appeal/2021/5d19-2403.html

 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/018glTZd0xQEnza1Dn1Mn5?si=j7J3mgN2TsSHl63scuZ85g

 

https://lawandcrime.com/tag/grant-amato/

 

https://youtu.be/4iluOmq1DYY?si=XlB10Y8Oyw6WV9i_

 

https://youtu.be/_-AZ1jRBp9c?si=wth6GuEZZxlXKa77

 

https://youtu.be/A-1ueSDIp_o?si=_gcpBjq7TyBFZ8nz

 

https://youtu.be/tH4XEyhzIFU?si=mqHW84xN4ksEMLzZ

 

https://youtu.be/zGR6bfNcbhI?si=wW8D4ZBjgAVf07CC

 

https://youtu.be/CXqo73teGS4?si=2HEw-4-a5ge1BSiY

 

 

 

 

Music By:

https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181