True Crime Reporter

By Robert RiggsTrue Crime Government History

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True Crime Reporter episodes

December 06, 2021 The Day The Last Texas Ranger Died
Texas Ranger Stan Guffey 1946 - 1987
Courtesy Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Waco, Texas
In the previous episode of True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files, we told the story of brave Rangers who kept up the pursuit of kidnappers while their car was being riddled with gunfire and was engulfed in flames.
Thirteen-year-old Amy McNiel the daughter of the pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator, was kidnapped by five men on the way to school in January 1985
Retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince recalled the tension-filled 48-hour, 600-mile game of cat and mouse and a 100 mph running gun battle that ended in the safe rescue of the teen.
During the pursuit of the kidnappers, Texas Ranger Stan Guffey maintained surveillance from an aircraft.
Two years later, when a doped-crazed criminal out on parole kidnapped a two-year-old girl, Guffey did not want to stand by and watch as he had before.
Guffey insisted on replacing another Ranger in a plan to surprise the kidnapper as the father of the victim delivered the ransom.
He pulled a fellow Ranger out of his hiding place in the back seat of a Lincoln Continental that was being used in the rendezvous with the kidnapper and took his place.
It was the day the last Ranger Died, January 22, 1987.
Investigative reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston reveal what happened in this exclusive edition of the Texas Ranger Files.
Bill tells the sad ending of this story that has waited years to be told.
Note: You can read more about the history of the legendary Texas Rangers and see vintage photos on our blog at True Crime Reporter®.
35 min
December 06, 2021 The Day The Last Texas Ranger Died - Saving A Two-Year Old Girl
In the previous episode of True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Files, we told the story of brave Rangers who kept up the pursuit of kidnappers while their car was being riddled with gunfire and was engulfed in flames.
Thirteen-year-old Amy McNiel the daughter of the pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator was kidnapped by five men on the way to school in January of 1985
Retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince recalled the tension-filled 48 hour, 600 mile game of cat and mouse and a 100 mph running gun battle that ended in the safe rescue of the teen.
During the pursuit of the kidnappers, Texas Ranger Stan Guffey maintained surveillance from an aircraft.
Two years later when a criminal out on parole kidnapped a two-year-old girl, Guffey did not want to stand by and watch as he had before.
Guffey insisted on replacing another Ranger in a plan to surprise the kidnapper as the father of the victim delivered the ransom.
He literally pulled a fellow Ranger out of his hiding place in the back seat of a Lincoln Continental that was being used in the rendezvous with the kidnapper and took his place.
It was the day the last Ranger Died, January 22, 1987.
In this investigative exclusive edition of the Texas Ranger Files Robert Riggs and former U.S. prosecutor Bill Johnston reveal a tragic case.
Bill tells the sad ending of this story that has waited years to be told.
Note: You can read more about the history of the legendary Texas Rangers and see vintage photos on our blog at True Crime Reporter™.
For official historical information visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum online or in-person at the museum in Waco, Texas.
Please join us in supporting the 2023 Texas Ranger Bicentennial.
We want to be your favorite true crime podcast.
Please recommend us to your friends and leave a review wherever you listen.
Join our True Crime Community to receive updates and bonus episodes.
Click Here To Sign Up.
Follow True Crime Reporter™ on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube

True Crime Reporter™ is a copyrighted and trade-marked production by True Crime Reporter, LLC, in Dallas, Texas.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
33 min
November 30, 2021 Texas Rangers Brave Bullets and Flames To Rescue 13-Year Old Girl From Kidnappers
The Texas Rangers constitute the oldest state law enforcement organization in North America, dating to 1823.
You can read more about the Texas Rangers' history and influence on popular culture on our blog at the True Crime Reporter®website.
L to R Bill Johnston, Ret'd Ranger Captain Bob Prince, Robert Riggs True Crime Reporter™ Podcast
Robert and Bill interview retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince, a legendary modern-day Texas Ranger, about his most memorable case.
Our story begins with the rescue of 13-year-old Amy McNiel of Alvarado, Texas, from five kidnappers in mid-January of 1985.
It captures the frontier spirit and courage of the officers who wear the distinctive 5-star badge of the Texas Rangers.
The teenage daughter of Don McNiel, a pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator, was snatched at gunpoint on the way to school.
Kidnappers ran a jeep driven by her 17-year-old brother off the road and put a sawed-off shotgun to his face as they grabbed his sister.
They demanded a $100,000 ransom for the seventh grader’s safe return but had no intention of releasing the teenage girl alive.
Throughout McNiel’s abduction, the five kidnappers snorted and injected drugs and talked about “driving” to Hawaii with the ransom money.
The teen defiantly insisted that her captors feed a hungry dog in their backyard before she would cooperate.
Their ringleader, 34-year James Wesley Foote, lived near the McNiel’s mansion and his son was her school classmate but unknown to her. Foote’s son had once stabbed a fellow student in the arm with a knife.
Two weeks before McNiel’s abduction, Foote who was wanted for attempted murder had burst into the home of a prominent businessman in Arlington near Fort Worth, Texas to kidnap his two young children.
The family’s housekeeper wrestled Foote’s gun away from him and fought him in a bloody 45-minute struggle.
The gun discharged near her head, and Foote fled.
A few weeks later, Foote and his accomplices then abducted 13-year-old Amy McNiel
In this episode of Texas Ranger Files, retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince remembers a tension-filled 48-hour, 600-mile game of cat and mouse and a 100-mph running gunbattle.
45 min
November 29, 2021 Texas Rangers Brave Bullets and Flames To Rescue 13-Year Old Girl From Kidnappers
This episode marks the inaugural edition of the True Crime Reporter™ Texas Ranger Case Files.
Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston feature exclusive stories about criminal cases in interviews with legendary officers of the Texas Rangers.
The Texas Rangers constitute the oldest state law enforcement organization in North America dating to 1823.
You can read more about the history of the Texas Rangers and their influence on popular culture on our blog at the True Crime Reporter™ website.
Robert and Bill interview retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince, a legendary modern-day Texas Ranger about his most memorable case.
Our story begins with the rescue of 13-year old Amy McNiel of Alvarado, Texas from five kidnappers in mid-January of 1985.
It captures the frontier spirit and courage of the officers who wear the distinctive 5-star badge of the Texas Rangers.
The teenage daughter of Don McNiel, a pioneer in the development of the first hand-held calculator, was snatched at gunpoint on the way to school.
Kidnappers ran a jeep driven by her 17-year old brother off the road and put a sawed-off shotgun to his face as they grabbed his sister.
They demanded a $100,000 ransom for the seventh grader’s safe return but had no intention of releasing the teenage girl alive.
Throughout McNiel’s abduction, the five kidnappers snorted and injected drugs and talked about “driving” to Hawaii with the ransom money.
The teen defiantly insisted that her captors feed a hungry dog in their backyard before she would cooperate.
Their ringleader, 34-year James Wesley Foote lived near the McNiel’s mansion and his son was her school classmate but unknown to her. Foote’s son had once stabbed a fellow student in the arm with a knife.
Two weeks before McNiel’s abduction, Foote who was wanted for attempted murder had burst into the home of a prominent businessman in Arlington near Fort Worth, Texas to kidnap his two young children.
The family’s housekeeper wrestled Foote’s gun away from him and fought him in a bloody 45-minute struggle.
The gun discharged near her head and Foote fled.
A few weeks later, Foote and his accomplices then abducted 13-year old Amy McNiel.
Retired Ranger Captain Bob Prince remembers a tension-filled 48 hour, 600 mile game of cat and mouse and a 100 mph running gunbattle in this episode of Texas Ranger Files.
For official historical information visit the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum online or in-person at the museum in Waco, Texas.
Please join us in supporting the 2023 Texas Ranger Bicentennial.
We want to be your favorite true crime podcast.
Please recommend us to your friends and leave a review wherever you listen.
Join our True Crime Community to receive updates and bonus episodes.
Click Here To Sign Up.
Follow True Crime Reporter™ on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
True Crime Reporter™ is a copyrighted and trade-marked production by True Crime Reporter, LLC, in Dallas, Texas.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
41 min
November 23, 2021 The Mind Of A Murder – What Makes A Killer?
In our previous episode of the True Crime Reporter® podcast, we presented the murder case of Annie Laurie Williams.
Williams bludgeoned her 8 and 9-year-old sons to death and then dispassionately dismembered their bodies to dispose of them.
Her acts are unthinkable.
Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston contacted forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Taylor in the United Kingdom to gain perspective and understanding of such a crime.
Dr. Taylor is the author of The Mind of a Murderer. He has worked on more than 100 murder cases.
He explores the subject of Women Who Kill Children in his book.
Dr. Taylor also works with a special unit called the Fixated Threat Assessment Center (FTAC), which investigates threats to the royal family and politicians.
You can find a link to more information about the FTAC on our website.
Murder is not just a crime; it is a significant public health problem.
In 2017 alone, there were close to a half-million recorded victims of homicide around the globe.
1 hr 2 min
November 22, 2021 The Mind Of The Murderer - What Makes A Killer?
In our previous episode of the True Crime Reporter™ podcast, we presented the murder case of Annie Laurie Williams.
Williams bludgeoned her 8 and 9-year-old sons to death and then dispassionately dismembered their bodies to dispose of them.
Her acts are unthinkable.
In order to bring perspective and understanding to such a crime, Cohosts Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston reached out to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Taylor in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Taylor is the author of The Mind of a Murderer. He has worked on more than 100 murder cases.
He explores the subject of Women Who Kill Children in his book.
Dr. Taylor also works with a special unit dealing with threats to the royal family and politicians, which is called the Fixated Threat Assessment Center (FTAC).
You can find a link to more information about the FTAC on our website.
Murder is not just a crime, it is a major public health problem.
In 2017 alone, there were close to a half-million recorded victims of homicide around the globe.
Investigative Reporter Robert Riggs and former U.S. federal prosecutor explore what drives people to murder.
We want to be your favorite true crime podcast.
Please recommend us to your friends and leave a review wherever you listen.
Join our True Crime Community to receive updates and bonus episodes.
Click Here To Sign Up.

Follow True Crime Reporter™ on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
True Crime Reporter™ is a copyrighted and trade marked production by True Crime Reporter, LLC, in Dallas, Texas.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
57 min
November 15, 2021 The Ghastly Story Of A Mother Who Murdered Her Children
The 1950s were called the “Happy Days”. The war was over. The economy was booming.
The American Dream was in full swing. In 1957 it was estimated that one baby was being born every second.
The Lone Ranger was a hit TV show. Little boys acted out their mythical western adventures on stick horses.
But the dream became a nightmare for two brothers in Texas. Their murders at the hand of their knife-wielding mother shocked the world.
This is the story of how Annie Williams was supposed to spend the rest of her life in prison for dismembering her boys. But contrary to what her sentencing jury was told, Williams was set free on parole.
Williams jumped parole and disappeared for sixteen years until fugitive hunter Louis Fawcett got on her trail.
This is the 57-year long account of a mother who murdered her sons with malice.
We want to be your favorite true crime podcast.
Please recommend us to your friends and leave a review wherever you listen.
Join our True Crime Reporter™ Community to receive updates and bonus episodes.
Click Here To Sign Up.
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Episode written and narrated by Robert Riggs.
Research by Louis Fawcett.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
41 min
November 15, 2021 The Ghastly Story Of A Mother Who Dismembered Her Children
The 1950s were called the “Happy Days.” The war was over, the economy was booming, and the American Dream was in full swing.
In 1957, it was estimated that one baby was born every second. The Lone Ranger was a hit TV show. Little boys acted out their mythical western adventures on stick horses.
But the dream became a nightmare for two brothers in Texas. Their murders at the hands of their knife-wielding mother shocked the nation.
Annie Williams 1955 Mug Shot
This is the story of how Annie Williams was supposed to spend the rest of her life in prison for dismembering her boys.
Annie Williams Sentenced To Two Life Terms November 8, 1955
But contrary to what her sentencing jury was told, Williams was set free on parole. She then jumped parole and disappeared for sixteen years until fugitive hunter Louis Fawcett got on her trail.
This is the 57-year-long account of a mother who murdered her sons with malice.
Annie Williams Booking Photo After Her Fugitive Arrest In 1997
Until now, the tragedy of her two sons has been long forgotten.
A pair of large ornate pink granite headstones mark their graves at the Oak Park Cemetery located in Alvin, Texas.
Long-Forgotten Victims Of A Mother's Murder With Malice
8-year old Conrad S. Williams. and 9-year Calvin H. Williams were laid to rest side by side.
In 1955, the shocked and grief-stricken community took up a collection to bury the murdered brothers.
Years later, green mold grows on Calvin’s headstone. Vandals have tipped over Conrad’s headstone. It lies flat on the ground.
Piles of scattered brown leaves and broken tree limbs cover the boy’s graves.
Few remember the terrible end to their short lives that made front-page headlines across the world.
But veteran Texas lawman Louis Fawcett, the fugitive hunter who always got his man or woman, says it is the one case out of hundreds that will never fade from his memory.
44 min
November 08, 2021 Criminal Intel: What Officers Learn About Crime From County Jails
David Grantham, a former Air Force Intelligence officer, encountered Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban during his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He headed up criminal intelligence operations for Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn from its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.
Grantham holds a Ph.D. in History from Texas Christian University and a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University.
He reveals how the expiration of stimulus payments during the pandemic in the United States may be fueling a crime wave.
Granthan also warns that the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and the loss of American weaponry poses a new threat.
Sophisticated U.S. weapons are likely to be acquired by the Mexican cartels and other international crime organizations.
Grantham is the author of Consequences: An Intelligence Officer’s War, which gives a unique look inside the nuts and bolts of running counterintelligence operations.
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57 min
November 02, 2021 Inside A Cold Case Unit Solving A 46-Year Old Murder
46 years after the abduction, torture, and murder of a 17-year-old girl, cold case detectives with the Fort Worth police department arrested a 78-year old Glen McCurley and charged him with capital murder.
McCurley abducted Carla Walker from the parking lot of a bowling alley in 1974. Walker had been to a Valentine’s day dance with her 17-year old boyfriend.
McCurley pistol-whipped Walker’s boyfriend and tried to shoot him in the head three times but the pistol’s magazine fell out.
Walker’s lifeless body was later found dumped in a culvert.
Fort Worth Police detectives Jeff Bennett and Leah Wagner were the primary investigators who reopened this case in 2019.
New, advanced DNA testing matched McCurley's DNA to stains found on Carla Walker's clothing.
The 46-year old unsolved case came to an end in August of 2021 when McCurley pleaded guilty during his murder trial. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Retired Homicide Detective David Thornton helped start the cold case unit. At the outset, investigators faced 750 unsolved murders dating back to 1966.
Thornton put into motion an effort that is still solving cold cases in which the original investigation failed to produce sufficient evidence to support murder charges.
In this edition of our True Crime Reporter Confidential, Robert Riggs and Bill Johnston take listeners inside homicide investigations and cold cases.
It is nothing like what is portrayed on popular TV shows. That’s Hollywood. This is real life.
1 hr 8 min