Deep Dive
Why did Melissa decide to tell Plody's parents about her pregnancy?
Melissa felt they had a right to know they were going to be grandparents and wanted them to be part of the baby's life.
What was the defense's main argument during the trial?
The defense argued that the investigation was inadequate, questioning why other potential suspects, like Melissa's father, were not thoroughly investigated, and that the fire was not properly investigated.
How did Melissa's family react to the possibility of Plody being involved in her death?
Her family immediately suspected Plody was responsible because he was at her house the day she died and had been there the day before, despite her not wanting anything to do with him.
What was the significance of the fire chief wearing a wire during the investigation?
Fire Chief Rob Schultz agreed to wear a wire to confront Plody about the night of the murder, which was a significant move as it could have jeopardized the trust within his firehouse, but he did it to help a grieving family find answers.
What was the name Melissa had chosen for her baby, and how was it discovered?
Melissa had chosen the name Barrett for her baby. Her family discovered this through her internet searches, where she looked up the meaning of the name Barrett, which coincidentally means 'bear strength'.
How did Melissa's family support her during her pregnancy?
Melissa's family offered to help her financially and with support, assuring her that they would be there for her and the baby, even if the father chose not to be involved.
What was Plody's demeanor like during the police interviews?
Plody was very calm and unemotional during the interviews, often taking a long time to answer questions and never directly denying the accusations against him.
Why did the fire chief feel conflicted about his role in the investigation?
The fire chief felt conflicted because he had to betray the trust of his firefighters by wearing a wire, and he was also questioning himself about what he might have missed in knowing Plody.
How did Melissa's mother cope with the loss of her daughter and grandson?
Melissa's mother, Deanna, met her grandson for the first time at the funeral and carried a picture of herself holding the baby's hand in her wallet as a way to cope with the loss.
What was the significance of the fire not being fully investigated in the defense's argument?
The defense argued that the fire was not investigated well enough, suggesting that if it had been, it might have pointed to other potential causes or suspects, thus casting doubt on the case against Plody.
- Melissa Lamensch found dead in a fire, nine months pregnant
- Matthew Plody, a firefighter, is the prime suspect
- Their relationship was complicated and on-again, off-again
Shownotes Transcript