Buried Bylines

Today's episode is a cold case from Mallory's hometown of Lansing, Michigan... suggested by her 15-year-old, true crime-loving cousin. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

41-year-old Bernita White was shot and killed outside of the Potter Park Zoo. To make things even worse, it was in front of her 5-year-old daughter. This shooting sets the public into a panic, especially after police reveal she was shot from literal YARDS away. No one saw the shooter. Law enforcement quickly narrows down the suspect list. At the very top, her husband, Artis White, a detective sergeant for the Michigan State Police. It all goes off the rails from there. Listen now! What do you think?

SOURCES:

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167280/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167287/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167406/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167504/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167505/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/361205987/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167516/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167519/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167704/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167899/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204167911/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204526742/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204528257/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/361421986/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204529049/ 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204550660/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/205416040/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/205416040/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/205434999/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

** https://www.newspapers.com/image/205435081/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/361200253/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204891313/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204906041/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204874544/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204598991/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/210500694/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204570456/?terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204725207/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/204726422/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22 

https://www.newspapers.com/image/208802124/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/2012/12/michigan_state_police_partner.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/cold-case-team-to-probe-2001-lansing-zoo-killing/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/109077016/?match=1&terms=%22bernita%20white%22

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/renewed-call-for-tips-in-potter-park-zoo-murder-case/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHOYQERiQ4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLXz9iVHcEo 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-wW7SwRDFI

https://www.facebook.com/p/Justice-For-Bernita-100064836876756/

How can a known Hollywood actor go missing and receive little to no media attention until his body is discovered over a week later? We have THOUGHTS and OPINIONS. Cole Brings Plenty caught his big break when he was cast in the Yellowstone spin-off "1923". The 27-year-old was a member of the Mnicouju Lakota tribe; his Native American roots and beliefs play a big part in the investigation of his disappearance and death. Let us know what you think about how the case was handled and help us raise awareness for Native American visibility in the media!

SOURCES:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13346737/Cole-Brings-Plenty-fling-woman-accused-strangling-death.html

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article288163425.html

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-04-11/cole-brings-plenty-dead-1923-actor

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5ZmC9JvEVf/?hl=en

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/cole-brings-plenty-dead-1923-actor-1235867854/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13310177/Cole-Brings-Plenty-death-mourners-gather-horseback-Yellowstone-ceremony.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13315741/Yellowstone-actor-Moses-Brings-Plenty-Kelsey-Absille-Cole-funeral-South-Dakota.html

https://thesunflower.com/83733/news/indigenous-organization-gathers-in-memory-of-actor-cole-brings-plenty/

https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/04/15/vigils-held-across-country-remember-south-dakota-actor-cole-brings-plenty/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/cole-brings-plentys-death-police-eliminate-foul-play-is-the-cause-of-death-revealed/articleshow/109226615.cms?from=mdr

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5RKQ53JsGf/?hl=en

https://www.today.com/popculture/news/cole-brings-plenty-missing-rcna146143

https://tasteofcountry.com/cole-brings-plenty-death-family-statement/

https://ictnews.org/news/remembering-cole-brings-plenty

https://www.westrivereagle.com/articles/actor-and-advocate-cole-brings-plenty-found-deceased-after-family-search/

https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/death-of-mo-brings-plentys-nephew-cole-shows-no-signs-of-foul-play/

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=806348464860634&set=a.219561300206023

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=833853802119703&set=a.222817846556638

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=833854895452927&set=a.222817846556638 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/death-of-cole-brings-plenty-yellowstone-stars-nephew-rocks-indian-country

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/cheyenne-river-sioux-demands-thorough-investigation-to-death-of-cole-brings-plenty

https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/04/community-searches-for-cole-brings-plenty/

https://belmontfilmhouse.com/blog/the-cultural-violation-of-an-unconsented-cole-brings-plenty-haircut/

https://www.lakotatimes.com/articles/boys-with-braids-panel/

https://lawrencekstimes.com/2024/04/24/obituary-cole-thomas-coco-brings-plenty/

https://www.choctawnation.com/biskinik/news/indigenous-representation-in-media-series-part-1/#:~:text=In%20a%20study%20conducted%20by,any%20of%20the%20years%20evaluated.

https://americanarchive.org/exhibits/native-narratives/contemporary-news

https://www.cjr.org/opinion/indigenous-journalism-erasure.php

https://apnews.com/article/business-media-journalism-phoenix-native-americans-6324ac76c0fca02e2e7f91cb80369bc1

(Mis)Representations of Native Americans | American Archive of Public Broadcasting

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/learning/is-it-offensive-for-sports-teams-and-their-fans-to-use-native-american-names-imagery-and-gestures.html

We're trying something a little different for this episode! This week, we've selected three current news stories to tell you about. We have been tossing around the idea of starting a Patreon in which we would post bonus episodes on the podcast's off week. One idea we had was to pick a few news stories of the week and talk about them! Please let us know if you like it, or would be interested in subscribing to our Patreon! In this episode, we'll discuss the following stories... (And yes, these are actually happening in 2024):

1. Poisoned Coffee

2. Mother's Murder for Hire

3. Local Case Update

We can't say it enough... thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for listening! If you haven't already, please like and follow us on social media, subscribe to the pod on whatever platform you use, leave us a five-star rating and review, and finally tell your friends about us! We want to shed light on as many cases as possible. You all rock!

SOURCES:

https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/10/us/arizona-woman-pleads-guilty-poison-husbands-coffee/index.html 

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/arizona-woman-poison-husband-coffee/60756532 

https://au.news.yahoo.com/arizona-woman-accepts-plea-deal-000336626.html 

https://nypost.com/2023/09/30/arizona-woman-melody-felicano-johnson-allegedly-poured-bleach-into-us-air-force-husbands-coffee-maker/ 

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/05/09/florida-mom-accused-of-trying-to-hire-hitman-after-sons-murder-conviction/

https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2024/05/07/mom-teen-convicted-deadly-stabbing-is-accused-trying-hire-hit-man/ 

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/crime/robert-lyons-ex-boyfriend-sentencing-sentenced-disappearance-missing-baby-amiah-robertson-mother-indianapolis/531-c124f62c-fe15-495e-b54f-62c22190ef14

It's safe to say we felt like we were holding pitchforks this ENTIRE episode. Every case we cover is tragic, but it truly hits different knowing the justice system failed this woman in the worst way. In December 2022, Julie Yow was living in Columbus, Indiana and expecting her third child. However, she was under extreme stress and living in fear daily. Julie was denied a protective order against her estranged husband just 10 days before she was killed at his hands. We're dedicating this episode to sharing Julie's story and joining the push to change Indiana's protective order laws.

RESOURCES:

https://icadvinc.org/domestic-violence-programs/ 

https://www.thehotline.org/ 

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh 

https://www.in.gov/bewellindiana/video-resources/domestic-violence-support/ 

https://www.in.gov/issp/ 

https://afsp.org/ 

SOURCES:

https://fox59.com/news/indycrime/pregnant-womans-family-pleads-for-change-to-protective-order-law-following-her-death/ 

https://www.jewellrittman.com/obituaries/Julie-Yow-Neumann/#!/TributeWall 

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/columbus-indiana-family-questions-court-system-following-pregnant-mothers-killing/531-2fbb9e60-3f97-4795-9b7b-1e5d48bec3b2

https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/indiana-woman-killed-murder-suicide-sought-restraining-order-days-before-death/WD3FUDMGJ5BODMVWWEZ3CXP44A/ 

https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/trending/indiana-woman-killed-murder-suicide-sought-restraining-order-days-before-death/WD3FUDMGJ5BODMVWWEZ3CXP44A/

https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/22/community-rallies-for-shooting-victim/

https://people.com/crime/woman-denied-protective-order-estranged-husband-killed-murder-suicide/

https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/22/community-rallies-for-shooting-victim/ 

https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/29/judge-denied-protective-order-to-woman-who-was-later-shot-to-death/

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/columbus-indiana-family-questions-court-system-following-pregnant-mothers-killing/531-2fbb9e60-3f97-4795-9b7b-1e5d48bec3b2

https://www.gofundme.com/f/julie-neumann-funeral-costs?utm_campaign=m_pd+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined

https://www.therepublic.com/2022/12/30/shooting-investigation-family-cites-justice-system-breakdown/

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/no-criminal-charges-against-ex-columbus-police-chief-following-nearly-two-year-probe

**Trigger Warning: Sexual assault, incest, child murder and abuse**

We say this every episode... but BUCKLE UP! This case is truly something you won't forget about. Our guest, Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden, is a professional visual journalist with over 30 years of experience, a professor at Ball State University, and has a Ph.D. in Applied Experimental Psychology. (The very first doctor to appear as a guest on the podcast! Eek!)

He details his time at the Virginian-Pilot where he: sat face-to-face with convicted killer Thomas Bonney inside Bonney's home, was present when Bonney later confessed exclusively to his coworker, and photographed Bonney throughout the sensational trial. It's an episode you won't want to miss! Listen now to find out the details behind the gruesome 1987 murder of Kathy Bonney in Camden County, North Carolina.

SOURCES:

https://www.newspapers.com/image/234786062/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/918481380/?match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/965840350/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/235320017/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/235632114/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1023348743/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/235550292/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/235226445/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/919087250/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/230907758/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/831442593/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/230929708/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/233410474/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/233413125/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/233417369/?terms=%22kathy%20bonney%22

https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/VA-news/VA-Pilot/issues/1994/vp940731/07310092.htm

https://www.pilotonline.com/2007/10/17/nearly-20-years-later-bonney-gets-life-for-daughters-murder/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Kathy_Bonney

This entire episode is a rollercoaster so BUCKLE UP. Megan decided she wanted to bamboozle Mallory with an April Fool's Day prank, which doesn't seem fair considering we recorded this episode two weeks in advance and Mallory was left with no defense. (Can you guess who is writing up this week's synopsis?)

HOWEVER, the prank case is based on a real-life case that we do dive into so stick around for the disturbing details in the 1954 death of Marilyn Sheppard and the wrongful conviction of her husband, neurosurgeon Samuel Sheppard.

SOURCES:

https://thefugitive.fandom.com/wiki/The_Fugitive_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fugitive_(1993_film)

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-fugitive-1993

https://www.showtimes.com/movies/the-fugitive-16903/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106977/trivia/

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/87339/13-running-facts-about-fugitive

https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64241819/

https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetailpre1989.aspx?caseid=300

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Sheppard

https://www.famous-trials.com/sam-sheppard/10-evidence

https://fox8.com/news/who-killed-marilyn-sheppard/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1998/07/28/richard-eberling-dies/d88f0a63-83dd-4185-b2da-8f506ea73a62/
https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/590#:~:text=lack%20of%20evidence.-,Dr.,and%201993%20film%2C%20The%20Fugitive.

Have you ever scanned the shelves of a grocery or department store looking for deals... but when you get to the checkout counter everything rings up as more than you expected? You're not going crazy. This is a tactic many stores use called bait and switch pricing. There are dozens of lawsuits because of it and we will explain how they do it and how you can protect your wallet.

SOURCES:

https://www.dailydot.com/news/target-bait-and-switch-price-changes/

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/nbc-5-responds/how-to-ensure-you-pay-the-price-you-see-on-the-shelf/3146677/

https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/does-a-store-have-to-honor-the-wrong-price/83-462545553

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/grocery-stores-overcharging-18303789.php

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/buyer-beware-watching-out-for-price-errors-when-checking-out-at-a-store/

https://6abc.com/scanner-problems-price-changes-special-report-action-news-investigation/1331005/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/price-code-free-1.6263904

https://globalnews.ca/news/314174/pricing-mistakes-know-your-rights/

https://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-general-overcharging-shoppers-at-checkout-according-state-governments-customers-2023-11

https://progressivegrocer.com/dollar-general-accused-deceptive-pricing

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR3SC5Da/

https://time.com/6320076/american-poverty-levels-state-by-state/

https://www.dailydot.com/irl/walmart-charging-more-checkout/

https://www.newsweek.com/walmart-accused-scamming-shoppers-price-markups-checkout-1733039

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanner_Price_Accuracy_Code

https://in.accessgov.com/health/Forms/Page/weights-and-measures/complaint/1

https://prospect.org/justice/2024-01-19-dollar-general-overcharges-customers-lawsuit/

https://prospect.org/power/homeowners-vs.-big-bad-banks/

During the late evening hours of June 17, 2002, Nancy Lyons's red Nissan was discovered abandoned on a country road in Rush County, Indiana. The car was running, the trunk was open, and the left rear tire was flat. Four months later, her skeletal remains were discovered in a soybean field in Bartholomew county. What happened to Nancy? Listen now to hear more about her case.

SOURCES:

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/cold-case-investigations/cold-cases-by-county/versailles-district-investigations/nancy-lyons-06172002/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002572351/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158150586/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158151842/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158153107/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158154697/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158164925/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002615243/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158176946/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158207526/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158208385/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/160011265/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/160011324/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.madisoncourier.com/archives/skeleton-identified-as-missing-s-western-graduate/article_db915771-88f1-5091-b162-ce7c28543772.html

https://www.wthr.com/article/news/police-identify-body-found-near-columbus/531-99605b66-fd40-4486-83db-2f0173c2c484

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002577702/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002582762/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/160014332/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002602415/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002603091/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/158155638/

https://www.newspapers.com/image/1002556199/?terms=%22nancy%20lyons%22&match=1

https://www.greenfieldreporter.com/2017/06/28/still_searching-2/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/203015429718869/

In late February of 1995, the small town of Homosassa, Florida was sent into a panic after 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford disappeared from the comfort of her home in the middle of the night. For days, police, neighbors, and media set up camp in the community searching for the third grader all while she was being hidden less than 100 feet away from her house. By the time officials cracked the case it was too late... Jessica was already dead.

Our friend and former co-worker, Lindy Thackston, covered this case extensively during her time in Jacksonville, Florida. She joins us as our guest this week to discuss the ins and outs of a case that still haunts her to this day.

SOURCES:

https://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/couey-john-evander-photos.htm

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jessica_Lunsford

https://medium.com/@lisariggio1994/kidnapped-and-buried-alive-the-heartbreaking-case-of-jessica-lunsford-6725b8125c2f

https://www.chillingcrimes.com/blogs/news/jessica-lunsford

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/jessica-lunsford/

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2009/09/30/jessica-lunsfords-killer-dies-in-jacksonville-hospital/15971731007/

https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/politics/government/2016/06/16/senator-introduces-new-jessica-lunsford-act/27602397007/

https://www.app.com/story/news/politics/capitolquickies/2014/06/02/new-jersey-after-9-years-adopts-jessica-lunsford-act/9870921/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6429373.stm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica%27s_Law

https://www.foxnews.com/story/father-of-murdered-florida-girl-jessica-lunsford-reveals-he-has-a-secret-child 

https://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=2172692&page=1

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2007/aug/25/rapist-murderer-sentenced-to-die/

https://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/04/21/lunsford.act/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7301160

https://www.newspapers.com/image/655587662/?terms=Jessica%20Lunsford&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/330508880/?terms=Jessica%20Lunsford&match=1

https://www.newspapers.com/image/330562588/?terms=jessica%20lunsford