Key Insights
Why did Joseph Paul Franklin confess to the Rainbow Murders?
Franklin confessed to gain attention and boost his number of alleged victims, as he was already in prison for life.
What was the motive behind the Rainbow Murders according to Franklin?
Franklin believed the victims were communists who might have dated Black men, which justified killing them in his twisted ideology.
Why did State Trooper Robert Alkire initially dismiss Franklin's confession?
Alkire thought a local was responsible due to the remote location of the murders, making it unlikely for an outsider like Franklin to navigate the area.
What evidence did Debbie DeFalco find that linked Franklin to the murders?
DeFalco found that Franklin matched a witness description of a tall, blonde man driving a black Chevy Nova, and he had robbed a bank in North Carolina the day before the murders.
Why was Jacob Beard initially suspected in the Rainbow Murders?
Beard was suspected after he made a call to Vicki Durian's family expressing sympathy, which led to a trace identifying him as the caller.
What was the outcome of Jacob Beard's trial?
Beard was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, but later won a wrongful conviction lawsuit and was found not guilty in a retrial.
Why did the investigation into the Rainbow Murders remain inconclusive?
The investigation was hampered by conflicting confessions, lack of hard evidence, and the focus on local suspects rather than considering serial killers like Franklin.
What was Joseph Paul Franklin's background and ideology?
Franklin was a white supremacist who believed in the superiority of the white race and targeted Black, Jewish, and interracial individuals in his crimes.
How did the Rainbow Gathering impact the local community in West Virginia?
The Rainbow Gathering was met with mixed reactions; some locals were indifferent, while others, including politicians, were outraged and hostile towards the attendees.
What role did John E. Douglas play in the Rainbow Murders investigation?
Douglas, a retired FBI agent, believed Franklin was responsible for the murders and consulted on the case, providing insights into Franklin's M.O. and signature.
Chapters
- Nancy Santomero and Vicki Durian were hitchhiking to the Rainbow Gathering in West Virginia in 1980.
- Their bodies were found on June 25th, 1980, with multiple gunshot wounds.
- Law enforcement initially believed the murders were committed by locals due to animosity towards the Rainbow Gathering.
- Joseph Paul Franklin, a white supremacist serial killer, later confessed to the murders, providing a detailed map of the crime scene.
Shownotes Transcript