Talk Radio 49

On July 11, 1985, at approximately 10:30 p.m., USMC Lance Corporal Suzanne Marie Collins left her barracks for a run on NAS Millington.  By the time Corporal Collins finished work that day, the base gym was closed.  That night, Sedley Alley was drunk and driving around the base.  Corporal Collins’ encounter with Alley took a tragic turn when he kidnapped her, drove her off base and murdered her in a nearby state park.  Later the following morning, two Marines who had heard Corporal Collins screams identified Alley’s vehicle based on its Kentucky license plates and the sound of the vehicle.  Alley was arrested and indicted for capital murder, kidnapping and rape.  His attorneys sought mental health evaluations and raised an insanity defense based on multiple personality or dissociative identity disorder.  Alley was convicted after his trial in March, 1987 and sentenced to death.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of Alley’s federal habeas claims, his efforts to obtain DNA testing, his execution in 2006 and his family’s renewed request for DNA testing filed in late April, 2019.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On July 11, 1985, at approximately 10:30 p.m., USMC Lance Corporal Suzanne Marie Collins left her barracks for a run on NAS Millington.  By the time Corporal Collins finished work that day, the base gym was closed.  That night, Sedley Alley was drunk, driving around the base.  Corporal Collins’ encounter with Alley took a tragic turn when he kidnapped her, drover her off base and murdered her in a nearby state park.  Later the following morning, two Marines who had heard Corporal Collins screams identified Alley’s vehicle based on its Kentucky license plates and the sound of the vehicle.  Alley was arrested and indicted for capital murder, kidnapping and rape.  His attorneys sought mental health evaluations and raised an insanity defense based on multiple personality or dissociative identity disorder.  Alley was convicted after his trial in March, 1987 and sentenced to death.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of Corporal Collins’ life and death and Alley’s trial, direct appeal and initial state post-conviction claims.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On January 12, 2017, failed doctor Leon Jacob and his live-in girlfriend, Meghan Verikas, argued in their Houston apartment.  Jacob’s lack of steady employment during their relationship had created friction in the relationship.  The argument escalated and Jacob assaulted Meghan, causing her to flee the apartment.  Over the next several days, Jacob stalked Meghan, obsessively contacting her via text and email and waiting outside the hotel where Meghan worked.  When Jacob found out Meghan was staying with his brother, he caused a scene at his brother’s house.  On February 1, 2017, Jacob was arrested for assault on a family member.  Released on bail, he violated court protective orders and a no contact order issued as part of his bond.  He enlisted several people in his attempts to contact Meghan, either to resurrect their relationship, or to convince her to drop the charges against him.    After a stalking arrest in mid-February, Jacob’s plan turned to murder.  Jacob’s girlfriend, Dr. Valerie McDaniel, was ensnared in his scheme and her ex-husband, Mack McDaniel, became a target of a murder-for-hire scheme.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of Jacob’s disturbing history with women, his failed medical career and, ultimately, his conviction on two counts of solicitation to commit capital murder.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On March 10, 1981, Wanda Faye McCoy was raped and murdered in the home she shared with her husband, Bradley.  There were no signs of forced entry and police theorized that Wanda let her attacker into the house.  Suspicion soon turned to Wanda’s brother-in-law, Roger Keith Coleman, whose troubled history in the small town of Grundy, Virginia included a 3 year prison sentence for an attempted rape in 1977.  Physical evidence tied Coleman to the rape and murder.  In March of 1982, Coleman was convicted and sentenced to death.  His conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal and his first state post-conviction claim was denied by the trial court.  The appeal of that denial was dismissed when his attorneys missed the deadline for filing a Notice of Appeal.  New attorneys took Coleman’s case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a decision that is still cited as authority today.  Unable to prevail in the courts, Coleman’s advocates re-tried his case in the media in an effort to win clemency or reprieve from his sentence.  Coleman was executed in May, 1992, still professing his innocence.  In January, 2006, posthumous DNA testing ordered by Virginia Governor Mark Warner conclusively proved Coleman’s guilt.  Join Lisa and Michael at 8:30 p.m. Central for a wrap-up of the episode.  They'll talk about the DNA evidence and the mixed reactions to conclusive proof of Coleman's guilt.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On March 10, 1981, Wanda Faye McCoy was raped and murdered in the home she shared with her husband, Bradley.  There were no signs of forced entry and police theorized that Wanda let her attacker into the house.  Suspicion soon turned to Wanda’s brother-in-law, Roger Keith Coleman, whose troubled history in the small town of Grundy, Virginia included a 3 year prison sentence for an attempted rape in 1977.  Physical evidence tied Coleman to the rape and murder.  In March of 1982, Coleman was convicted and sentenced to death.  His conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal and his first state post-conviction claim was denied by the trial court.  The appeal of that denial was dismissed when his attorneys missed the deadline for filing a Notice of Appeal.  New attorneys took Coleman’s case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a decision that is still cited as authority today.  In 1990, post-conviction DNA testing failed to exclude Coleman as the source of DNA from Wanda's body.  In spite of the inculpatory results of DNA testing and unable to prevail in the courts, Coleman’s advocates re-tried his case in the media in an effort to win clemency or reprieve from his sentence.  Coleman was executed in May, 1992, still professing his innocence.  In January, 2006, posthumous DNA testing ordered by Virginia Governor Mark Warner conclusively proved Coleman’s guilt.  We’ll talk about the facts of the case against Coleman, his unsuccessful appeals in state and federal courts, the media campaign waged by his advocates and the 2006 testing that exposed Coleman’s lies.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

In this bonus episode of Clear & Convincing, a panel of case watchers and researchers from Facebook will continue their discussion about some of the general claims made by advocates for people who have been convicted after a criminal trial, have had their convictions upheld on direct appeal and have, in some cases, unsuccessfully pursued state and/or federal post-conviction claims.  The general themes include planted evidence, shoddy investigation, tunnel vision, false testimony, protecting “the real killer,” failing to perform adequate testing of evidence and failing to collect evidence.  We’ll also talk about some of the tactics employed by official defense investigators and internet sleuths who demand cooperation from witnesses and/or alternate suspects and use coercive tactics in an attempt to get a confession or admission of guilt and the extra-judicial claims, cited by social media platforms, but never presented to the courts.  Finally, we’ll talk about the perception of many advocates that media articles and documentaries that present an innocence narrative are examples of responsible journalism, while media articles and documentaries that present a more balanced perspective, or evidence of guilt, are lazy, irresponsible or defamation against the convicted party.  Our guests will be Ati, Nicole, Meredith, Tim, Ivan, Sam and Roberta Glass, the host of Roberta Glass True Crime Report.

On November 4, 1997, Christina Marie Riggs killed her children, Justin and Shelby, then unsuccessfully tried to take her own life.  She claimed that she didn’t want the children, who had different fathers, to be split up after her death.  Riggs pled not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.  Her attorneys argued that Riggs’ severe depression led her to view Justin and Shelby’s deaths as an “act of mercy.”  On June 30, 1998, Riggs was convicted of capital murder.  While some evidence regarding Riggs’ history of depression was brought out during the guilt phase of the trial, she would not allow her attorneys to put on any evidence during the punishment phase and in testimony before the jury, Riggs requested a death sentence.  After her direct appeal concluded, Riggs waived her right to post-conviction relief and she was executed on May 2, 2000.  We’ll talk about the crime, Riggs’ history and her desire to be executed which was opposed by groups that included Amnesty International and the ACLU.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Clear & Convincing, Episode 15, Police Investigation 101.  We’ll be joined by New Orleans Police Department Commander Nicholas L. Gernon for a discussion of real world police investigation, including general information about investigation principles, identifying a suspect and types of evidence.  Commander Gernon was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He joined the New Orleans Police Department in 2002, working night patrol in the First District before being promoted to Burglary Detective. He has also worked as a Narcotics and Violent Crime Detective and, from 2007 to 2009, as a Homicide Detective.  In 2009, Commander Gernon was promoted to Sergeant in the Eighth District and rejoined Homicide as a Sergeant in 2012.  In August 2015, he left the Homicide Unit as the Section Commander and was promoted to Lieutenant in the Sixth District. In November 2016, he was again promoted and became the Commander of the Eighth District, overseeing the Central Business District, French Quarter and Marigny Triangle. In the Spring of 2019, Gernon was appointed to Commander of the NOPD Crime Laboratory, which includes Central Evidence and Property as the department prepares to break ground on a state-of-the-art facility.  Commander Gernon is proud of his work in the homicide unit because he was able to provide comfort to victim’s families.  He is married with one daughter.  We’re a live show and questions are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Join "The Voice Of The ASWF" Michael Carnahan as he breaks down Fight For Freedom 2019 just 48 hours before the big night. Joined by the all star panel of Cornbread and DJ Mike T they will break down each and every match on the card. And give their insight as well as make thier predictions on all of the big contests that evening. Including the 2019 Rumble for Freedom, where someone will win the 2019 Rumble For Freedom cup and become the #1 Ranked Challenger for the ASWF Championship. Speaking of the state of Arkansas' most prestigious championship, that title will also be on the line. As "The Greatest Gem Known To Man" Maxx Stone will be challenging "The Main Event" Curtis Dawn. In addition to that the ASWF Evolution Championship will be on the line as D-Mike defends the championship against one half of the "Titans of Violence" Heinzman. The Tag Team Championship will also be defended that night as "Mr. Golden Ticket" Gaston Stallion and Garion Tyr will challenge Justin Venson and, filling in for the injured Daniel, Brad Hicks. Also in a match that has payback written all over it Geyson Beckett will take on X-Kaliber. And of course the grudge match 14 days after making his return to the Valiant Arena. "Insane Shane" will step into the ring with the man he viciously attacked Steve-O. Finally we will discuss the "Devil's Playground' matchup between The Maniae and "The Misfits".Join us as we discuss all this and more. And of course we give you your 2nd opportunity to win free tickets to Fight For Freedom 2019! The fun will all get started Thursday night at 7 pm CST only on Talk Radio 49 and the ASWF Wrestling Facebook page!

On the morning of June 7, 1998, Jasper County officials responded to a rural road for what they believed was a hit and run fatality.  Once at the scene, they realized the death of James Byrd, Jr. was no accident.  A trail of evidence led back to a field, where in addition to signs of a struggle, police found a tool with the name “Berry.”  A lighter with the nickname “Possum” and “KKK” was also found at the scene.  A witness reported seeing Byrd get into a pick-up truck with three men.  His description of the truck led deputies to Shawn Allen Berry, who was picked up on a traffic violation later that night.  Berry eventually confessed, leading police to his roommates, John William King and Lawrence Russell Brewer, both of whom had recently been released from a Texas prison.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Monday, June 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of the murder of James Byrd, Jr., the witnesses and evidence that led to Berry, King and Brewer and the crime and trials that showed small-town Jasper, Texas in an unflattering light.  We’ll also talk about the direct appeals and post-conviction claims raised by Brewer and King and their efforts to avoid execution.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.