Murder in Miami

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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Murder in Miami listeners, Lauren just launched season 3 of Symptomatic and we think you'll love it.  How terrifying would it be to fight an unknown enemy? One you don’t recognize and didn’t see coming? What if that enemy was coming from within; a disease that even doctors couldn’t identify? Nearly half of all Americans suffer from some chronic illness and many struggle for an accurate diagnosis. Every other week on Symptomatic, host Lauren Bright Pacheco unravels the medical mystery of a patient’s baffling symptoms and explores how their lives were turned upside down in search of answers.  From the first signs of trouble, through a swirl of misdirection and failed treatment attempts, to the final relief at a confirmed diagnosis - these are their stories. This is Symptomatic. We want to hear from you! Tell us what you think of the show or share your own medical mystery by emailing us at Symptomatic@iHeartMedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 9: Lesley Bickerton shares her thoughts on how politics, power and shadowy ties to the international drug trade have had negative impacts- on a global scale- before, during and since the Lonestar era. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detective Denmark deep dives into Clay Williams' medical case file and the main players of Murder in Miami contemplate their current thoughts in light of past perceptions and recent revelations about Lamar, Lonestar and loyalty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 8: Murder in Miami's original music and soundscaping was crafted by our audio editors and sound designers (Nikolas Harter, Evan Tyor and Taylor Chicoine) and plays an enormous role in bringing the show's era to life. In this week's bonus episode we wanted to share the uninterrupted singular Murder in Miami soundtrack created- and featuring music- by Evan Tyor, Phil Mayer, John Murchison and Taylor Chicoine. We hope you enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Elliott spent the night before the crash at Lamar Chester’s farm in Cleveland, Georgia. He shared his memories and thoughts about the events leading up to Chester’s death with Phil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 7: In 1979, a joint DEA/FBI task force in Miami busted the Black Tuna Gang, a major marijuana smuggling ring responsible for bringing 500 tons of marijuana into the United States over a 16-month period. Black Tuna’s leader, Bobby Platshorn, shares the set-up that led to his serving twenty-nine years in federal prisons- and Ron ‘The Astronaut’ Elliott’s role in it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After being told by Chester that her life was in danger, Lesley flees Cleveland, Georgia only to find herself further ensnared in a federal investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 6: A movie about a cocaine snorting bear going on a brutal killing spree hits home with CB Hackworth, although it misses the mark when marketed as non-fiction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After attempting for months to locate the mysterious woman caught up with Lamar and Lonestar, Lauren finally makes contact with Lesley Bickerton, Chester’s controversial former accountant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 5: The late 80s were loaded with ramifications of the unprecedented influx of drugs in Miami and the officers trying to police it. Former Miami Dade Detective Jeff Lewis sheds light on one of the infamous era’s most malignant periods of crime and out of control corruption for Miami’s law enforcement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil agrees to travel to Georgia to assist Chester in assembling his graymail defense. Questions about Clay William’s unsolved murder arise when it’s linked to testimony in Operation Lonestar. Covering the sprawling investigation pulls a young reporter named CB Hackworth into Chester’s corrupting orbit and the presence of Happy Miles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 4: Lauren shares an early childhood memory laced with cocaine and celebrity before seeking the insight of Jerry Lee Wilson- a fascinating former dope pilot who made millions as a marketing-savvy inventor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cocaine further ups the ante as the Coconut Grove group pops up on the radar of multiple levels of law enforcement. As the attention intensifies, so does the focus on ties the group- especially Chester- has with the Bahamas and its government.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 3: Mr. Happy Miles shares the surprising inspiration that took him from The Commodore to eventually working with the cartel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chester was part of an elite circle of prolific smuggling pilots who ruled the air in the early 80s. A man known as Happy Miles was also one of the power players that sprang from Coconut Grove - and he recalls some of the incredible and illicit adventures they shared. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 2: Phil's former girlfriend Ruth shares the strangest murder she remembers from her days as a newspaper reporter in early 80s Miami.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stanford’s path finally crosses with the man behind Intercept’s operations, dashing drug smuggler Lamar Chester. Their encounter raises serious questions as to Intercept’s underlying interest in Stanford- and their understanding of who is really employing him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus 1: Detectives Denmark and Lewis share stories about the surreal level of gruesome crime in early 80s Miami- with interesting overlap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil finds himself stepping into the private detective position vacated by the killing of Clay Williams. Questions remain about Clay, his murder and Intercept agency- leading Phil to wonder whether the men he’s working for- and their biggest client- could be tied to much more than just routine investigations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Stanford leaves political reporting in Washington D.C. to cover crime stories and stumbles directly into the dangerous, cocaine-fueled world of Miami in the early 1980s. In the process he finds himself intertwined with an unsolved murder after a chance encounter at a dive bar with a private detective named Clay Williams. 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.

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.