Murder in Illinois

The final episode, subject to future updates, of Murder on Songbird Road invites listeners and former interviewees to reflect on their thoughts and opinions regarding the case against Julia Bevely. Additionally, Bevely's legal team provides an update on the current status of her appeal process. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.  CONTACTS: The Illinois Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) Office of the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Office of the Illinois Governor JB Pritzker   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob and Lauren return to Marion, knocking on doors once again. This time, however, they uncover crucial footage that reveals significant flaws in the investigation’s hasty rush to judgment. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The infamous Huck’s footage exposes critical flaws in the prosecution’s theory, reinforced by a criminologist’s analysis of stabbing murders—setting the stage for Innocence activist Jason Flom to intervene and alter the course of Bevely’s legal battle. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The access to the interrogation video and the collection of Bevely’s DNA raise concerns about official protocol and the broader objectives of the investigation. Additionally, the prosecution’s influence on the case comes under scrutiny. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The State’s Attorney claimed Bevely’s account of encountering an armed assailant was proven false within days of the murder but a closer look into call records raises questions about other possible suspects. Wrongful Conviction Podcast Episodes: Julie Rae Michelle Murphy Melissa Lucio Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of Jade’s father share their remembrances of a life tragically ended and thoughts on the woman they believe took it. Speculation as to what could have motivated the murder takes an unlikely turn, leading to Salem, Massachusetts. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weeks after she was arrested for the murder of her step-daughter, Julia Bevely realized she was expecting her fourth child. Her subsequent treatment during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a pre-trial detainee remain, next to the murder, the most disturbing aspects of the case. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The day of the sentencing, Bob and Lauren retrace the route Julia Bevely claims to have taken the morning of the murder with surprising results. Her increasingly polarizing fate is then decided in a packed Marion courtroom filled with contrasting emotions. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob and Lauren connect in Marion, Illinois for Julia Bevely’s sentencing. Through a jailhouse visit with Bevely- and interviews with her family- a narrative emerges that is at odds with key elements of the prosecution theory in terms of the murder and the woman convicted of having committed it.  Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days after the murder, the Williamson County State’s Attorney announced the death of Jade Beasley- and the arrest of Julia Bevely- in the same press conference. He claimed a thorough investigation had already been conducted, but glaring questions remain to this day.  Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On December 5th of 2020, a blended family was ripped apart when police responded to a 911 call placed from a rural area in Marion, Illinois. At the scene, they would find an 11-year-old girl, brutally murdered and her hysterical 32-year old stepmother.  Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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For the first time, Chris Vaughn is breaking his silence - hear him tell his harrowing story in his own words to Jason Flom and Lauren Bright Pacheco on Episode #470 of Wrongful Conviction. Listen here: https://link.chtbl.com/5CpQO-g9  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Join Lauren Bright Pacheco at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, as she investigates the advancements in prostate cancer care.  Dr. Mohammad Atiq shares ways innovative treatments are paving the way for better outcomes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Gravina, a skilled carpenter and Marine, was rushed to the ER in 2016 due to severe flu-like symptoms which morphed into a brutal battle with a mysterious disease. Discover how Gary's dire condition would lead him to Dr. David Fajgenbaum and Dr. Grant Mitchell, who had become experts on his rare disease. See how their collaboration not only saved Gary’s life but also significantly impacted the field of medicine. * * * * * ******* SPOILER ALERT BELOW ******If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, once a college quarterback and competitive weightlifter, turned medical researcher, was the picture of health until he became critically ill at the age of 25. After all available treatments failed to keep him out of the ICU, David, with his friend Grant’s help, races to save his own life, repurposing existing drugs to find a cure. * * * * * ******* SPOILER ALERT BELOW ******If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On April 28th, 1989, 18-year-old Francisco Benitez was having a normal day. He picked up his paycheck, got a haircut, then went to his friend’s house to watch Beetlejuice on HBO. That same night two teenage boys were shot and killed. An eyewitness said as the shooter ran from the scene, she noticed that he had a fresh haircut. Despite no other similarities between Frank and her description of the shooter, not to mention no physical evidence, Frank was ultimately convicted of the crimes and sentenced to life without parole. The prison environment was violent and dangerous, Frank says he often wondered “is this the day that I’m going to die in prison?” But his mother Betty was steadfast in her love and her belief in Frank’s innocence. She told him over and over to never give up, even after 34 years, to keep believing that a brighter day is coming. To learn more and get involved, visit: Francisco Benitez Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/innocent-man-exonerated-after-34-years University of Chicago Law School Exoneration Project: https://www.law.uchicago.edu/clinics/exoneration Loevy & Loevy Civil Rights Law Firm: https://www.loevy.com/  Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he was just 20 years old, an act of violence changed James “Jimmy” Soto’s life forever. Despite no physical evidence and numerous alibi witnesses, Jimmy and his cousin David were convicted of a 1981 double homicide in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, IL. They would end up serving 42 years in prison, the longest served wrongful conviction sentences in Illinois history.While incarcerated, Jimmy earned a bachelor’s degree and became a regular in the law library. He helped dozens of his fellow inmates with their legal cases, including his cellmate, Robert Almodovar. Jimmy and Robert formed a lifelong friendship. They helped each other survive prison — and now that they are both exonerated, they’re helping each other adjust to life on the outside. To learn more and get involved, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-after-42-yrs-of-wrongful-imprisonmenthttps://paroleillinois.org/ Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 1998, 81-year old Mary Bramlett was killed in a drive-by shooting near Whittier, CA. That same night, Miguel Solorio went to the movies with his new girlfriend Silvia Torres then to a party hosted by Miguel’s sister. Despite many alibi witnesses and no physical evidence to tie him to the murder, Miguel was ultimately convicted of the crime. But Miguel’s wrongful conviction didn’t stop Silvia from loving him — or from pouring everything she had into proving his innocence. When the system failed her, she decided to take the investigation into her own hands and bravely fight for Miguel’s freedom. Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2009, Michelle Morrison was convicted on a felony murder charge along with aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy over a 2007 shooting that left a man dead. Not only did Michelle not fire the weapon that took the man’s life, but she never even set foot in the house where the shooting occurred. In fact, she didn’t even get out of the car. And yet, Michelle Morrison, at the age of 26, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years.She is joined by her mother, Cynthia Holland, who has fought fiercely for her daughter’s release. Cynthia truly moved mountains to get her daughter out of prison, and in the process brought about real reform in the Georgia justice system. Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco. Ten new, inspiring episodes of Wrongful Conviction, hosted by Lauren Bright Pacheco, that celebrate the potential of human connection to empower ordinary people to overcome extraordinary odds and injustices. Real individuals who unexpectedly became one another’s personal heroes by turning tragedy into triumph. Click here to follow Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco:https://link.chtbl.com/v6pEKYf2 Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason welcomes Lauren to the team and they chat about the upcoming season launching on May 27th. Click here to follow Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco:https://link.chtbl.com/v6pEKYf2 Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 19, 1988, 20-year-old Vincent Wright and 17-year-old Anissia Johnson were robbed at gunpoint by two men outside of a convenience store in Fort Lauderdale, FL. A third perpetrator also drove up to the scene in a brown car and instructed the gunmen to steal Wright’s car, which they did. 22-year-old Sidney Holmes came under police suspicion when they discovered that he drove a similar car to that of the third perpetrator – which happened to be one of the most popular cars at the time. Sidney was placed in multiple lineups, but the circumstances in which he was identified were entirely flawed. He also had a solid alibi. Nevertheless, Sidney was sentenced to 400 years in prison for a crime in which no one was injured, and that he did not commit. The two other perpetrators were never apprehended. Lauren Bright Pacheco talks to Sidney Holmes and Brandon Scheck, Sidney's attorney. To learn more and get involved, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sidney-holmes https://www.floridainnocence.org/ Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the evening of October 30, 1994, Marcus Boyd and Greg Elking were sitting on Marcus’s front porch in St. Louis, MO when two men, wearing ski masks and armed with guns, ambushed them and shot Marcus several times leading to his death. Police gathered that 20 year old Lamar Johnson may have had a conflict with Marcus, so Lamar became a prime suspect. Based on fabricated identifications and the word of a jailhouse snitch, Lamar was convicted and sentenced to life without parole. Lauren Bright Pacheco talks to Lamar Johnson and Lindsey Runnels, Lamar's attorney. To learn more and get involved, visit:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-lamar-johnson-after-wrongful-conviction https://themip.org/ https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/288-jason-flom-with-ken-middleton-update/ https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/303-jason-flom-with-billie-allen/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y48Sqab0mEo Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1980s crime journalist Phil Stanford dove into the decadent and dangerous world of Miami just as the city was becoming the cocaine- and murder- capital of the United States. His path would place him in the crosshairs of a federal investigation focusing on a mysterious and controversial drug smuggling pilot who claimed to be an operative of the American government- all while flaunting his extensive illicit activity. Murder in Miami traces the connection between the murder of a missing Miami private investigator to the sprawling roots of an international money laundering scheme as Stanford tries to make sense of his role in a surreal story of spies, smugglers, killers and corruption. All reaching to the highest levels on both sides of the law.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The final episode of Murder in Illinois summarizes the case against Christopher Vaughn, the new evidence uncovered in the podcast, updates his legal status and revisits those involved for their final thoughts.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren Bright Pacheco finally meets Chris Vaughn in person before Bill Clutter mounts an ambitious crime scene reconstruction. Crime Scene Technician Katie Hartman strenuously tests the scenarios put forth by both the prosecution and defense before weighing in with her thoughts on what took place June 14th, 2007.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Vaughn possibly lands significant support when social justice activist and host of the Wrongful Convictions podcast, Jason Flom, agrees to look into his case. Bill Clutter also uncovers a troubling aspect to the timeline and testimony that secured Vaughn’s indictment in 2007.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Written words have played a variety of roles throughout the history of this tragedy. They’ve been used to insinuate, accuse and incriminate but they also offer insight and revelations potentially resulting in new evidence.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fourteen years after Christopher Vaughn was sentenced to four consecutive life terms for the murders of his wife and three children we revisit the evidence that led to his conviction. In this episode we’ll break down the circumstantial and forensic evidence that possibly led to a conviction based on what could be emotional and confirmation bias.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August of 2012, five years after his arrest before his family’s funeral in June 2007, Christopher Vaughn’s murder trail began. The Will County State’s Attorney’s office originally sought the death penalty, which has since been abolished in Illinois. As a result, Vaughn’s original defense was dismantled and he headed to court represented by a public defender.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Vaughn faces the death penalty, his initial defense team is faced with increasingly negative optics and overcoming significant gaps in Chris’s recollection of the killings. Four years into mounting a case for Vaughn’s innocence, their efforts are rendered useless.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Christopher Vaughn prepares to bury his wife and three children, handcuffs are placed on his wrists.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gail receives an unfathomable call as news of the horrific family massacre dominates the media. Chris Vaughn is interrogated, while still in a hospital gown, within hours of the killings.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a young couple Kimberly and Christopher struggle with financial insecurity, the pressures of parenting and the growing dysfunction between their two families.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Christopher Vaughn was known as a convicted killer, he was a son and a brother in the Vaughn family of Missouri, the eldest of Gail and Pierre Vaughn’s three boys. He would meet his wife- and become a father- while he was still a teenager.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the quiet pre-dawn hours of June 14th, 2007 the Vaughn family- Christopher, his wife Kimberly and their three children- set out for an impromptu trip to a waterpark. The family would never arrive.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer 2 - On July 8th, we re-examine a case that’s been tightly closed to shed light on whether Christopher Vaughn was justly charged, tried and convicted- and explore whether pertinent facts and later developments that could have been utilized in his defense were overlooked or ignored.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer 1 - In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 14 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence-in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family?   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailer 2 - On October 24th we'll re-open the Michael Francke Murder case, shining new light on those who escaped justice.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The premiere trailer for Murder in Oregon.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.