Dawn of Mantis: True Crime, Mysteries and More

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In the final episode of this series, we cover how police used Youell's habitual criminal past to put him away, and how Youell eventually turned that same tactic against them to gain back his freedom. We also discuss a few bizarre false confessions, and finally give our thoughts on who the real Phantom Killer may have been.  (Subject Matter Begins @ 3:14)

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In episode 5 of our 6 part series on the Phantom Killer, Youell and Peggy give their statements as to what happened during the weeks of the attacks in Texarkana. While Youell denied any involvement, Peggy began a series of interviews in which she divulged more and more, until outright accusing her husband of murder. Her testimony certainly was damning, but the law stated that a woman could not be forced to testify against her husband, which was a huge problem. Also, despite the large amount of circumstantial evidence, no concrete physical evidence had yet been found, causing the police to have to get creative.  (Subject Matter Begins @ 4:58) 

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In part 4 of our Phantom Killer series, we talk about the massive influx of both reporters and law enforcement to Texarkana in the wake of the attacks on the Starks. We also introduce you to the most likely suspect in the entire case - a local criminal named Youell Swinney. (Subject Matter Begins @ 6:30)

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In the third part of our Phantom Killer series, we introduce perhaps the most colorful character in this story- Texas Ranger "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas- who was sent to reinvigorate the investigation. We also cover the Phantom's final known attacks- the murder of a local farmer named Virgil Starks, and the attempted murder of his wife, Katy. Unlike his previous victims, they were attacked in their own home, which added a new layer of paranoia to the folks of Texarkana. 

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In this episode, we cover the Phantom's first known murder victims- Richard Griffin and Polly Ann Moore. In the early morning hours of March 24th, 1946, the couple parked on a lover's lane just outside Texarkana, and soon after the Phantom emerged from the darkness and shot both lovers to death. We also cover his second attack, which occurred three weeks later on another lover's lane, where he shot and killed Paul Martin and Betty Jo Booker. 
(Episode Content Begins @ 20:32) 

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Linda Edwards was a mother of three who lived in Hot Springs and worked as a Sheriff's deputy in Garland County, Arkansas. She was pregnant with her 4th child when she vanished in the summer of 1976, and her remains were found several months later. The investigation into her disappearance and murder revealed a secret part of Linda's life, a corrupt police officer and an uncooperative department.  (Subject Matter Begins @ 7:11)

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In April of 1971, Pauline Storment, a 27 year old college Sophomore attending the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, was brutally stabbed to death just off campus. There were several people who saw her killer moments before the attack, but he was never positively identified and her case remains unsolved to this day. (Subject Matter Begins @ 9:50)

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On the night of Thursday, December 1st. 1994, a 19 year old college student named Melissa Witt disappeared from Fort Smith, Arkansas. After a 6 week search, her body was finally discovered off a remote logging road in the Ozark National Forest, 60 miles away. Few clues were left behind, and her case remains unsolved to this day. 

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