Key Insights
Why did Deborah Nolan quit her teaching job and go to law school?
Deborah Nolan quit her teaching job and went to law school to defend her close friend, Patrick Bradford, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Tammy Lohr.
What was the nature of Patrick Bradford's relationship with Tammy Lohr?
Patrick Bradford had a romantic relationship with Tammy Lohr, despite being married to his high school sweetheart, Dawn, with whom he had two children.
How did the police initially respond to the suspicion against Patrick Bradford?
Initially, the police were reluctant to suspect Patrick Bradford, a fellow officer, of murder, finding it hard to believe that a police officer would commit such a crime.
What new theory did the investigators come up with regarding the timing of Tammy Lohr's murder?
Investigators theorized that Tammy Lohr was murdered not on the morning of the fire, but the night before, which would give Patrick Bradford enough time to set the fire the next morning.
What evidence did the prosecution rely on to convict Patrick Bradford?
The prosecution relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including the timing of the fire, the staged break-in, and the testimony of a neighbor who saw a police car in Tammy Lohr's driveway during the critical hour.
Why does Deborah Nolan believe Patrick Bradford's conviction should be overturned?
Deborah Nolan believes the conviction should be overturned due to new evidence and expert opinions that challenge the original findings, including issues with key prosecution witnesses and the duration of the fire.
What role did the polygraph test play in the investigation?
The polygraph test initially failed to provide conclusive results, but Patrick Bradford's second test failure convinced Detective Guy Minnis and other investigators of his guilt.
How did Patrick Bradford's demeanor on the stand affect his trial?
Patrick Bradford's cocky and arrogant demeanor on the stand was seen as a disaster by his supporters, including his lawyer, and likely contributed to the jury's guilty verdict.
What new evidence does Deborah Nolan hope will win Patrick Bradford a new trial?
Deborah Nolan hopes new evidence, including expert opinions from fire investigators who dispute the original findings on the duration of the fire, will be enough to secure a new trial.
How has Patrick Bradford adjusted to prison life?
Patrick Bradford has adjusted to prison life as well as an ex-cop can, with occasional incidents but overall smoothing out his interactions with other inmates.
Chapters
- Patrick Bradford was a police officer with a reputation for heroism.
- Tammy Lohr was stabbed 21 times and her body was set on fire.
- Deborah Nolan quit her teaching job to study law and defend Bradford.
Shownotes Transcript
