This bonus episode features an AI-generated recreation of Jim Blackburn’s powerful closing argument from the 1979 trial of Jeffrey MacDonald.

This episode is part two of a projected three-episode discussion of Part 1, Chapter 9: MacDonald's April 6, 1970 interview with the MPs, in which he renders an account that "would stick to him like tar for years afterward, in all its messy and inconvenient detail."

The beginning of the episode includes speculation on MacDonald's pursuit of a pardon.

This episode is part one of a projected three-episode discussion of Part 1, Chapter 9: MacDonald's April 6, 1970 interview with the MPs, in which he renders an account that "would stick to him like tar for years afterward, in all its messy and inconvenient detail."

In this chapter, Jeffrey reflects on another hard year in his married life and his surprising decision to join the Army. As always, James offer commentary and analysis.

This is the final installment of our AI-generated recreation of the April 6, 1970, interrogation of Jeffrey MacDonald by Army CID investigators William Ivory, Robert Shaw, and Franz Joseph Grebner at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Using advanced voice synthesis, we bring the official transcript to life, capturing the dramatic escalation as the interrogation reaches its conclusion.

This is Part 3 of our AI-generated recreation of the April 6, 1970, interrogation of Jeffrey MacDonald by Army CID investigators William Ivory, Robert Shaw, and Franz Joseph Grebner at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Using advanced voice synthesis, we bring the official transcript to life, preserving the intensifying tension as the investigators move from probing to outright confrontation.

This is Part 2 of our AI-generated recreation of the April 6, 1970, interrogation of Jeffrey MacDonald by Army CID investigators William Ivory, Robert Shaw, and Franz Joseph Grebner at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Using advanced voice synthesis, we bring the official transcript to life, capturing the shifting dynamics of the room as the investigators apply increasing pressure.

The actual tapes were lost many years ago.

This is a bonus episode featuring an AI-generated recreation of the April 6, 1970, interrogation of Jeffrey MacDonald by Army CID investigators William Ivory, Robert Shaw, and Franz Joseph Grebner. The interrogation took place at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April 6, 1970, as investigators pressed MacDonald for details about the events of February 17, 1970.

The original tapes have been lost for many years.

In this chapter, the CID, despite some early mistakes, is starting to piece together the evidence of what happened on February 17 -- and MacDonald's story is appearing increasingly implausible.

As always, James and Billy read the chapter in full, while providing commentary and analysis.

James and Billy break with the typical format to respond to a breaking news development: On February 19, 2025, Jeffrey MacDonald's lawyer appeared on NewsMax to begin a campaign to secure a pardon for MacDonald from President Trump.

In the words of Brian Murtagh: "He's never going to accept his guilt. He's never going to sit in jail. There is a temptation to say, 'The end. This is it. Finished.' But no. Not really. The case is never going to be in a posture where he just quietly sits in jail and lets the years roll by."

For further reading:

"Since 1979, Brian Murtagh has fought to keep convicted murderer Jeffrey MacDonald in prison"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/since-1979-brian-murtagh-has-fought-to-keep-convicted-murderer-jeffrey-macdonald-in-prison/2012/12/05/3c8bc1c6-2da8-11e2-89d4-040c9330702a_story.html