This episode covers the convictions of Gertrude Nunez Jackson and her lover, Jeannance Freeman, for the murder of her to young children.


On May 12, 1961 the bodies of Larry and Martha Jackson, just aged 6 and 4, were found in the Crooked River Ravine at Ogden State Park. Within days, Gertrude and Jeannance were arrested and charged with 1st degree murder of the children. Almost immediately, Gertrude confessed to the crimes, blaming the entire thing on Jeannance. But the story she gave wasn’t that cut and dry.


Because of the stigma associated with being homosexual during that time, public opinion was prejudiced by the media reports of the young women who didn’t conform to societies norm. For her part in the murders, Jeannance would become the first woman in the state of Oregon to be sentenced to death at the age of 19. In exchange for testifying at Jeannance’s trial, Gertrude would only serve 7 years of a life sentence before being paroled. While it seemed the persons responsible paid for their crimes, one woman paid more than the other.


Join us, almost 60 years to the date after the murders occured, as we discuss all of the different versions that have come out over the years and the details of the convictions.



Some information from this episode:


Child Torturing Couple

https://bit.ly/3oycyQ8


Jeannance and Gertrude arrested

https://bit.ly/2RzPhBe

The Ladder: Daughters of Bilitis- commentary article on Jeannance Freeman

https://bit.ly/3f7prxr


50 year anniversary of the murders

https://bit.ly/2RzPhBe


Library records of the crimes

https://bit.ly/3u9F8Zf

Court records of Jeannance’s appeal

https://bit.ly/3yrXmIF


Jeannance saved by voters repealing the death penalty

https://bit.ly/3bJxeiW


Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon: Aug 20, 1985 Starting Over by The associated Press

https://bit.ly/3oyccsM