cover of episode INFAMOUS: The Lake Waco Murders Part 2

INFAMOUS: The Lake Waco Murders Part 2

2024/12/9
logo of podcast Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Topics
Ashley Flowers和Brit Prawat对Waco湖谋杀案进行了深入的调查和报道,揭示了案件中存在的诸多疑点和不公正之处,特别是对四名被错误定罪的男子表示同情和支持。她们详细描述了案件的来龙去脉,包括最初的审判、Juanita White的谋杀、侦探Jan Price的调查以及后续的诸多上诉和申诉。她们强调了咬痕证据和线人证词的不可靠性,以及Truman Simons和Vic Feazell等执法人员的不当行为。她们的报道旨在呼吁人们关注司法公正,并为冤假错案的受害者发声。 Juanita White作为David Spence的母亲,为了证明儿子的清白,不遗余力地调查案情,甚至出入Waco市声名狼藉的场所,寻找线索。她坚信儿子的清白,并为之付出了一切,最终却惨遭杀害。她的死也为案件增添了更多谜团,也更凸显了案件中存在的黑暗和不公。 侦探Jan Price在调查Juanita White谋杀案的过程中,发现了许多疑点和不当之处,特别是Truman Simons和Vic Feazell等执法人员的不当行为。她坚持正义,并试图揭露真相,但受到了阻挠和压制。她的坚持和努力最终为Calvin Washington的赦免提供了关键证据。 Munir Melendez在被错误定罪后,通过自学法律知识,成功推翻了自己的定罪判决,这展现了其坚韧不拔的精神和对正义的追求。他的经历也为其他冤假错案的受害者提供了希望和启示。 Jill的家人,特别是她的母亲Nancy,在经历了多年的痛苦和煎熬后,对案件的真相和结果有了各自不同的看法和感受。Nancy对案件的结果表示接受和平静,而其他家人则仍然对案件的真相存有疑虑。她们的经历也展现了受害者家属在面对冤假错案时所经历的复杂情感和心理历程。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did Juanita White stop at nothing to prove her son David Spence's innocence?

Juanita believed in David's innocence despite his conviction and was determined to learn every detail of what happened that night, even spending time in Waco's seediest establishments to gather information.

What significant letter did Juanita White receive in 1986?

Juanita received a letter from Robert Snelson, a jailhouse informant who testified against David, admitting that his entire testimony was false and that it was fabricated to get breaks in his own cases.

How did Juanita White's murder impact the investigation into her son's case?

Juanita's murder led to a renewed focus on her son's case, as her diligence had uncovered crucial information that someone was likely looking for, suggesting a connection to the ongoing investigation.

What was the cause of Juanita White's death?

Juanita's cause of death was a combination of blunt force injuries and asphyxiation, with evidence of a sexual assault also confirmed.

Why did Detective Jan Price feel uneasy about Juanita White's murder investigation?

Price felt uneasy because the crime scene suggested a specific focus on Juanita's room, with no valuables taken, and a second break-in targeting David's room, indicating someone was looking for something specific.

Who were the two men eventually indicted for Juanita White's murder, and what evidence was used against them?

Calvin Washington and Joe Sidney Williams were indicted for Juanita's murder, with evidence including bite mark analysis and testimony from informants who received favors in exchange for their testimony.

Why did Detective Jan Price and Officer Frank Turk's investigation into Simons and Feazell's conduct become official?

Chief Scott made their investigation official after Joe Sidney Williams' conviction, recognizing the need to focus on uncovering evidence of shady conduct by Simons and Feazell.

How did Munir Deeb manage to overturn his conviction?

Munir overturned his conviction by filing a writ of habeas corpus over 100 pages long, arguing that hearsay was improperly admitted in his original trials, leading the court to grant him a new trial.

What significant event led to Gilbert and Tony Melendez refusing to testify against Munir Deeb in his retrial?

Gilbert and Tony refused to testify after being allowed to see each other for the first time in a decade, which changed their minds about perjuring themselves to put an innocent man on death row.

What was the outcome of the blind experiment conducted to discredit bite mark evidence in David Spence's case?

The blind experiment found that the autopsy photos were of poor quality, with some experts believing the marks were made by insects or artifacts, and none could match the molds to the alleged bite marks.

Chapters
This chapter details the initial convictions in the Lake Waco murders and introduces Juanita White, the mother of David Spence, a convicted man who maintains his innocence. Her relentless pursuit of the truth leads her down unexpected paths, even into Waco's criminal underworld.
  • Four men convicted of murdering three teenagers.
  • Juanita White's unwavering belief in her son's innocence.
  • Initial convictions based on confessions, bite mark evidence, and jailhouse informants.
  • Holes in the case lead to doubt among some.

Shownotes Transcript

A community demands answers when three teenagers are found brutally slain in a scenic lakeside park, and it breathes a collective sigh of relief as righteous local lawmen quickly zero in on the perpetrators. But when the dust finally settles, many are forced to ask: who pays the price when ego eclipses justice?

This is Part 2 of 2. Make sure to listen to INFAMOUS: The Lake Waco Murders Part 1 before diving into this one… you’re going to want to know the first part of this wild and twisty case.

 

And for more information on the 2025 Crime Junkie Tour, please visit our website)!

 

Source materials for this episode cannot be listed here due to character limitations. For a full list of sources, please visit: crimejunkiepodcast.com/infamous-lake-waco-part-2)

 

Did you know you can listen to this episode ad-free? Join the Fan Club! Visit crimejunkie.app/library/) to view the current membership options and policies.

 

Don’t miss out on all things Crime Junkie!

Crime Junkie is hosted by Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat. 

 

Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!