misconduct. a true crime podcast

On October 17th, 2014 the body of a young woman was found in a Motel 6 in Indiana. She was found in the bathtub with the shower running by her friend who had grown concerned when her repeated texts were not being returned. When her body was found, it was clear she had been strangled. 

Police quickly narrowed down a suspect based on cell phone records and security camera footage. Once arrested, the suspect confessed to the murder. Law enforcement thought they were dealing with an open-shut case. That was until the suspect confessed to 6 additional murders and told police he was willing to lead them to the bodies. 

Today we will discuss a suspected serial killer who’s killings may span multiple decades and multiple states. We will look at the circumstances that surrounded his capture and where the investigation is as of today. 

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This week we are discussing the case of Angie Zapata. Angie was 18 when she was murdered for being trans. The landmark case was notable because it was the first time that the hate crime statute was applied to a case involving a crime against a transgender person in Colorado. It was also the first example of a hate crime statute being successfully applied to get a conviction for the murder of a transgender person in the United States. This case is particularly heartbreaking because it involves the senseless, bigoted murder of a teenager who was very much loved by her friends and family.

If you are struggling with or questioning your gender identity or sexual orientation you should know that you aren’t alone. GLAAD’s website has a huge list of resources and information you can read more about transgender resources here and LGBTQ resources here.

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Today we are discussing the trial, conviction, and eventual exoneration of Clarence Lee Brandley. In 1980 he was working as a janitor at a high school in Texas. On the morning of August 23rd 1980, Cheryl Dee Fergeson was found murdered in a loft above the auditorium where Clarence worked. Some forensic evidence was recovered from the scene but was lost or destroyed before it was tested for trial.

Eventually the evidence was tested and it was proven that it could not have come from Clarence. Even with all the issues with the evidence, Clarence, an African American, man was convicted in front of an all white jury in 1981. Eleven months later, he was sentenced to death.

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I cannot tell if it’s because the urgency of it, as he is set to be executed on April 25th, 2017? Is it because he’s from a large family, much like mine, and it hits closer to home; or is it the just blatant misconduct? Whatever it is, I feel deeply about this case and Ivan and I really wanted to get his story out there and hopefully get people calling/emailing the governor and signing the petition because I truly believe they are about to kill an innocent man.

As we said in the show, I think if you’re pro or anti death penalty, that’s besides the point because I think we can all agree that if someone is being put to death as a punishment for a crime, we better be damn sure they are guilty, with no doubts whatsoever. 

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This week I wanted to share some of the things I came across during my research

First off, these girls look incredibly similar. Some of these pictures look like they could be multiple pictures of the same girls.

References and Further Reading

Unresolved Mysteries

Rodney Halbower

I also came across a couple articles from the 70’s. It may be a little difficult to read so you can find them online here and here.

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Tonight we are discussing the case of Evelyn Hernandez. She was a 24 year old woman who was due to give birth in a week who was last seen alive on May 1st 2002 with her 5 year old son, Alexis. Her body was found floating along the Embarcadero in the San Francisco Bay on July 24th 2002 and her son has never been found. As of today, the case remains unsolved, although foul play is suspected.

5 months after Evelyn’s body was discovered in, Laci Peterson would go missing in nearby Modesto, California and coverage of the investigation would grip the nation for months. Although these cases are strikingly similar, one received worldwide attention and the other was barely covered locally. Tonight we will be discussing what happened to Evelyn and the disparities in the media coverage between the two cases.

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Local cases are always of interest to us; we like to see what goes on in our backyard. As I researched this case, however, I found it more and more odd and with all cases where people seemingly vanish, I found it very frustrating.

I think John and Jill did have something to do with her disappearance, however. The call that is noted on the www.FindKristen.com website (click here) was the straw that broke the camels back, so to speak. 

Again, if you have any information on this case, you can contact the Oakland, CA Police Department at 510-238-3641.

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This case is really frustrating for me due to the lack of evidence; so much of the discussion of this case quickly turns to speculation and assumptions because there is so little to go on.

New York Magazine published an article in 2005 that details what it known about the case and Sneha’s last known whereabouts in the most complete write up I have found through my research. You can read the full article here.

Also check out her Unsolved Mysteries page and her page at the Charley Project.

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