Talk Radio 49

Join Michael Carnahan and Lisa O’Brien on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central, for a discussion of the requirements for post-conviction DNA testing.  We’ll look at the statutes governing testing requests in federal cases, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, New York and Texas and cases in which appellate courts affirmed the denial of testing requests by lower courts.  We’ll also try to clear up some of the many misconceptions about access to post-conviction DNA testing, including the reason requests for testing in some of the cases profiled on Clear and Convincing were denied. We’ll also talk about civil rights cases pursued in federal court to gain access to evidence for DNA testing.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

This bonus episode of Clear & Convincing features an interview with Trial Bureau Chief Kelly Blackburn of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office regarding the Larry Swearingen case.  Mr. Blackburn assumed responsibility for the case in 2017.  Lisa O’Brien discusses the issues related to Swearingen’s multiple requests for DNA testing, including post-conviction counsel’s objection in 2013 to pre-execution testing requested by the State.  They’ll also talk about the agreed testing in 2017 and the inconclusive results.  Mr. Blackburn grew up in Brownwood, Texas and attended Texas Tech University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  He graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1999 and began his legal career at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as a felony trial prosecutor.  He also served in the Public Integrity Division handling cases and investigations of public corruption.  In 2008, Mr. Blackburn served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Texas, where he handled narcotics offenses, human smuggling, bulk-cash smuggling, fire arms, organized crime and criminal immigration offenses.  In 2010, Mr. Blackburn joined the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, where he served as a Chief Prosecutor and Chief of the Public Integrity Division.  His now serves as Chief of the Trial Bureau and is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Obviously notable by their absense was "Suicide" Otis Crowley and "The Suicide King" Ray Ray. Crowley made good use of his suspension as he captured gold in another organization. And from what we are told Ray Ray may have been in the crowd that night stalking his prey and scouting for weaknesses. From looking at the roster we know that "The Suicide King" will make his presence felt this weekend. But there is still a question as to when we will see "Suicide" again in the Valiant Arena but you can bet Ray will be ready. Also we seen the "Evolution Champion" Josh Cross issue an open challenge for "his" Evolution title. When he would not allow DeMike to answer DeMike switched things up on him and brought out his real opponent for the night. "The Big Man" KToomer answered and he gave Cross absolutely all he could handle! So much so that Cross intentionally had to get himself counted out just so he could escape Toomer's wrath! Speaking of people in foul moods, XKaliber came out and took on Justin Venson and when he lost the match via a quick roll up. He snapped and turned his anger on just about everyone in the building. This included "Sensational" Sara Kay and Michael Carnahan. Putting Sara and a ref through a wooden door in the ring. And then turning his fury on Carnahan who was just doing his job. For his actions The Commisioner Joey Britt has terminated X's contract effective immediately! We were treated to the birth of a new tag team in #FGA as Will Cage and Greyson Beckett not only wrestled one tag team! But they also wrestled a second match against a team making their ASWF return! We will have all the details tomorrow night! Including the epic match between DeMike and Garion Tyr which had fans on the edge of their seats!

On August 21, 2019, Larry Ray Swearingen was executed for the December 8, 1998 murder of Melissa Aline Trotter.  Over the course of 19 years, Swearingen and his advocates filed what one federal judge described as “a convoluted tangle of habeas applications, pro se motions, mandamus actions, and amended pleadings.”  In 2006, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals described Swearingen’s pattern of requests filed days before execution as dilatory and warned Swearingen’s counsel that continued delays could subject them to sanctions.  In 2009, the Fifth Circuit characterized another late-filed request prior to a pending execution date as “timing gamesmanship.”  Agreed DNA testing did not exonerate Swearingen. Althought Swearingen’s counsel cited an intention to raise additional claims during February and March of 2019, they did not seek funding to pursue investigation of those claims until June.  In early August, 2019, counsel retained a new expert. The week before the execution, Swearingen’s counsel sought authorization to file successive state and federal writs, demonstrating what the Fifth Circuit described in 2009 as “disrespect for this court and for Swearingen's life.”  Swearingen and his advocates have also repeatedly misrepresented the weight of their post-conviction claims and evidence and have ignored the adverse findings of  state and federal courts that have reviewed those claims.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 8:30 p.m. for a review of the case against Swearingen, the multiple post-conviction claims advanced after his conviction and sentence were affirmed in 2003 and the misrepresentations made by Swearingen and his advocates in the media.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 3, we’ll conclude our look at Edwards with a discussion of the murders he allegedly committed between 1990 and his arrest in 2009 and we’ll look at the detective’s allegations of wrongful conviction and that Edwards framed others for the crimes he committed. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

At the last show we were witness to the return of Otis Crowley. A man who was once known to fans as "Suicide" and one who was under the tutelage of "The Suicide King" Ray Ray. So imagine the surprise to everyone in the arena when the homecoming was ruined and Crowley turned his back on Ray. We will provide an update on this very volatile situation heading into the show this Saturday. Also we seen "The Psychotic Savior" Cataclysm challenge "The Main Event" Curtis Dawn at the last show. And during this epic clash we seen "The Nocturnal Flame" Leo Keegan get involved and stake his claim at a shot at Dawn. And speaking of championships we seen larceny of the Evolution Championship Belt. As during the Asa Morta/DeMike matchup the "Original Misfit" Josh Cross came out and stole the title belt! We will discuss the actions of Cross and what this means for the title moving forward. Also in a rematch from Fight For Freedom 2019 we seen Justin Venson and "The Big Man" K Toomer challenge new champs Gaston and Garion. And that term is used very lightly as there wasn't as much a matchup that occured. As a good old fashioned butt whooping. Leaving the champions motionless on the canvas and the challengers with sweet revenge. In the chairs match we seen the action spill all over the building and "The Essence of Rattitude" was able to finally vanquish X-Kaliber. And speaking of Beckett his night wasn't over as shockingly he has aligned himself with the newly minted "Finely Gifted Athlete" Will Cage. What does this partnership mean for the rest of the ASWF locker room? And of course we cannot forget the debut of the aforementioned "Suicide" Otis Crowley. As he was in Fatal Four Way action against Insane Shane, Troy Twain, and Maxx Stone. Join us this week as we break down all this and more on ASWF Aftermath!

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and soon included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 2, we’ll talk about the murders Edwards allegedly committed between 1954 and 1989. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and soon included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 1, we’ll talk about Edwards early life during the 1930s and 1940s and the murders he allegedly committed between 1945 and 1959.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Join us this week as we get you ready for the ASWF’s return to the Valiant Arena. And revisit the events of an AMAZING Fight For Freedom 2019. Including a VERY SUCCESSFUL night for the Maniae. As not only did they vanquish The Misfits in the main event. But “The Psychotic Savior” Cataclysm won the Rumble for Freedom 2019! And he intends to cash in his chance at the title this Saturday Night. Also it appears the issues between X Kaliber and Greyson Beckett are FAR from over. As the two will do battle once again in a chairs match. Join us for all the action Thursday Night right here on Talk Radio 49 and the ASWF Wrestling Facebook Page

On November 10, 2012, at approximately 11:10 p.m., an explosion rocked the quiet Richmond Hill neighborhood, a subdivision on the southeast side of Indianapolis, Indiana.  A seismic station 26 miles away in Martinsville recorded the blast and personnel at a nearby fire station were jarred by the it.  Firefighters from that station were on their way to the scene as the first calls came into 911.  The explosion that leveled the house at 8349 Fieldfare Way also destroyed the houses at 8355 and 8343.  Jennifer Longworth died instantly from blast injuries.  Her husband, John “Dion” Longworth was trapped beneath two stories of rubble in the basement.  A fast moving fire, fed by ruptured natural gas lines, prevented his rescue and he died in the fire.  Glenn, Gloria Olvey and one of their daughters were rescued from their collapsed home by neighbors.  A multi-agency investigation uncovered clues that told them the explosion and fire were no accident.  After their arrests in December, 2012, Monseratte Shirley, Mark Leonard and his half-brother, Bob Leonard, faced 51 counts of arson, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and murder charges.  Shirley’s plea deal led to two additional arrests.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of the evidence against the conspirators and one of the largest prosecutions in the history of the Indiana Courts. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.