The Spoon River Gothic Podcast

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Daniella Mestyanek Young was born a third-generation member of the infamous Children of God religious cult.

She grew up being trafficked around the world before escaping that life and moving to the United States at age 15. She put herself through high school and graduated as college valedictorian before commissioning into the US Army as an intelligence officer. She received a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology at the Harvard Extension School and focuses he...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

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Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

RADIO VÉRTÉ Presents: A PLACE OF PARADOX

A Literary Fiction Podcast Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

SEASONAL | WEEKLY

-SEASON ONE-

THE WILD WIND - A Novel by Cory Zimmerman.

The Wild Wind is an American gothic tale of a woman born and raised on the grounds of a psychiatric institution—not as a patient, but the daughter of the asylum’s farmer—who learns of love and loss while grappling with the question of what it means to be sane when insanity is the norm. <...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage, Police Files, Court Documents, Photos, Diagrams, etc.) to Accompany each Season Two Episode.

Patreon @ www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast

...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand the sideways world around you. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only those stories that cry out for justice--those untold, buried, and forsaken tales of madness, and those silenced voices dese...

Description

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand the sideways world around you. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only those stories that cry out for justice--those untold, buried, and forsaken tales of madness, and thos...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand the sideways world around you. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only those stories that cry out for justice--those untold, buried, and forsaken tales of madness, and those silenced voices dese...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand the sideways world around you. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only those stories that cry out for justice--those untold, buried, and forsaken tales of madness, and those silenced voices dese...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand the sideways world around you. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only those stories that cry out for justice--those untold, buried, and forsaken tales of madness, and those silenced voices dese...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only stories of those who cry out for justice, those untold, buried, and forsaken. Stories sincerely deserving to be told by voices that, for too...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives.

Think, feel, understand. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Written and hosted by Cory Zimmerman, our flagship series, THE SPOON RIVER GOTHIC PODCAST, is a growing collection of true crime narratives revealing tales of romance, greed, obsession, murder, and terror.

We seek only stories of those who cry out for justice, those untold, buried, and forsaken. Stories sincerely deserving to be told by voices that, for too...

In this episode, we journey into the enigmatic heart of 1985 Florida, a state pulsating with life and exponential population growth. New residents flock to its shores daily, drawn by promises of economic prosperity and boundless opportunity. Yet beneath the surface lies a tapestry of environmental concerns and human struggles, echoing the age-old question of progress at what cost?

We confront Florida's intriguing "frontier mentality," a throwback to the untamed spirit of the Wild West. Here, notions of freedom and exploration coexist with shadows of uncertainty, shaping the state's identity in inspiring and disquieting ways.

Our...

Eric Stull, the nephew of Merle “Chet” Reeder, offers a poignant narrative surrounding the life of his mysterious uncle, whose life was tragically cut short during the 1985 multi-state killing spree masterminded by Daniel Rameta. He offers profound insights as he intimately recounts “Chet” beginnings in Maryland, his diverse ventures, including a successful stint in the nightclub industry in NYC, to owning businesses, to ultimately settling in Florida, where he gave up his possessions and decided to live a simple life devoted to God.

Eric paints a picture of a dynamic individual who struggled with strained familial bonds concerni...

A February 8th, 1985, armed robbery at an Ocala gas station that leaves attendant Merle “Chet” Reeder brutally murdered is meticulously dissected with the testimonies of witnesses and law enforcement officers, who piece together the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded in those early morning hours. From the initial discovery of the crime scene by unsuspecting bystanders to the meticulous investigative efforts that followed, every revelation uncovers new layers of intrigue and suspense.

However, many unanswered questions remain amidst the investigation, leaving the small community on edge.

What motivated the assailants to commit such a heinous act...

Beginning with a poignant biblical quote, we explore the intricacies of the courtroom trial against the backdrop of moral dilemmas, community challenges, and themes of justice, personal belief, and societal norms.

As the courtroom drama unfolds, we are invited to ponder thought-provoking questions, such as, 'How do our deeply held personal beliefs influence our perception of justice?

Are we truly impartial, or are we merely projecting our own values onto the situation?’

Can we remain impartial in the face of deeply ingrained biases?

The discussion extends to the application of the de...

In today’s gripping episode, we delve deep into the heart of the chaos that unfolded on February 13, 1985, as we listen to the brave officers’ firsthand accounts that granted an intimate glimpse into that climactic showdown with the outlaws, Daniele Rameta, Lisa Dunn, Mark Walters, and James Hunter, that marked the culmination of the highway crime spree that had gripped Thomas County.

With vivid detail and poignant insight, these officers recount the harrowing shootout that ensued on a farmstead north of Colby, highlighting the intense exchange of gunfire that left teenager Mark Walter dead and the three othe...

Radio Vérité Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - A Literary True Crime Podcast.

Think, feel, understand. We go where the others don’t. We dive deeper!

Seasonal | Long Form | Weekly

Executive Producer Cory Zimmerman.

Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.

Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.

Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.

Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Foot...

In the wake of a harrowing crime spree that left rural Kansas reeling in 1985, a somber analogy emerged from the lips of a local gas station owner near the junction of Kansas 25 and I-70: "You just don’t know what’s coming down the sewer pipe next."

February 13, 1985, marked the culmination of the multi-week, multi-state ordeal, as Highway I-70, the Mainstreet of Kansas, often referred to as the “Sewer Pipe of America,” became the grim stage for the final act.

Today, our episode delves into the aftermath of that fateful Wednesday evening in February. We're introduc...

Radio Vérté Presents SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - Season Two: Death Rides the Highway - A Thrill Ride of Murder & Terror!

This season, we will unravel the captivating story of four vastly different individuals and how they all came together to embark on a cross-country crime spree marked by violence and tragedy.

In our inaugural episode, we explore the vast expanse of the American landscape, where ribbons of asphalt traverse the American heartland, as we immerse ourselves in the story of the United States Interstate Highway System. Born out of the Federal Aid Hig...

A heart-wrenching narrative--

Through a poignant exploration of Donna Tompkin’s perspective, we relive the ordinary moments of the day before and the aftermath of the devastating fire that claimed her and her three-year-old daughter, Justine, lives and the intricate details of the people close to the victims and the compelling events leading up to the fateful incident. We are transported to the scene of the tragedy, vividly envisioning the actions and reactions of those close to the case and gaining insight into Donna's mindset in the crucial hours preceding the fire.

The af...

Nearing the end of our journey--

We hint at additional potential affairs and emotional motives by exploring alternative theories involving suspects, scrutinizing timelines for inconsistencies, and delving into the complexities of romantic dynamics. Such as with noteworthy figures, like Donnie’s girlfriend at the time of the deaths, Rochelle Hillemeyer, we assess her potential connection to the crime. We also emphasize the added complexities of the case, solidifying the timeline, clarifying relationships, and reexamining motives.

The exploration of the crime scene shifts focus to its location near a set of railroad tracks, an in...

Twists & turns--

We zoom out and plunge into the chilling mystery surrounding the double homicide of Donna and Justine, meticulously revisiting key suspects and challenging established narratives. Listeners are guided on a gripping exploration as we scrutinize the individuals in Donna's life: estranged husband, Jon Tompkins; boss, David Haynes; ex-lover, Terry Haynes; and boyfriend, Rod Franciscovich. Aiming to offer a fresh perspective on the crime scene, evidence, and victimology, listeners are urged to question each twist and turn of this decades-old enigma.

We again embark on an investigative journey alongside Detective Dave Ayers and State's...

A candid conversation with Jeremy Bull--

Jeremy, the son of Donald Bull, despite not having a close relationship with him, provides us with a unique and very personal insight into the story that gripped the small town of his youth and left lasting implications upon his adult life. Though always in touch with Donnie's side of the family, cousins, aunts, and the like throughout his childhood, listening to this podcast has become a significant part of his journey of healing, as it has offered him new and profound perspectives on a case that has shadowed his family...

Recap--

As we revisit the key details in this chilling case, we are confronted with much information we did not have at the start of our journey. The inconclusive autopsy results are discussed, as the perplexing circumstances surrounding the house fire, the initial ruling of no foul play, and other pieces of crucial evidence that deserve to be dissected with a fine-tooth comb.

Delving deeper into this forensic puzzle, we find that signs of possible asphyxiation clash with the absence of typical indicators like bruises or trauma to the throat and mouth. Arson...

A Candide conversation--

Rusty Graham divulges insights into the enigmatic controversies surrounding the Canton Police Department. The conversation kicks off with revelations from a departmental meeting led by Chief Elam, where an undisclosed investigation takes center stage. The common theme of secrecy emerges, with rumors circulating among officers, leaving us pondering the nature and gravity of the allegations.

Rusty discusses with us a shocking twist when portions of critical evidence vanish from the tightly secured evidence locker just as the trial of Donald Bull is set to commence.

The unexplained absence...

An anonymous letter--

August 1, 1998, was a day that sparked a cascade of investigations into the Canton Police Department's Chief of Police, Michael Elam. The anonymous letter signed by “The Honest Police Officers of Canton Police Department” outlines a theme of abuse of authority, cover-ups, and misconduct within the department. As investigations into these claims are launched, attention turns to Lieutenant David Ayers, who is eventually suspended for alleged misconduct and battery, setting the stage for a federal lawsuit that unveils shocking civil rights violations and a return accusation and lawsuit for defamation of character.

As...

Layers upon layers--

Exploring the complex legal odyssey of Donald Bull’s case, we unravel and peel back the layers, from the initial trial to the heart-wrenching appeals to revealing arguments from both sides of the legal spectrum.

We journey into a historical backdrop, discussing the intensity of late 20th-century judicial landscapes. We then shift our narrative back to Donnie Bull's legal challenges, particularly scrutinizing charges four through eight. Donnie contends that he was denied a fair trial, invoking issues around cross-examination, evidence admission, and assertions of ineffective assistance of counsel.

As...

Season Two: “DEATH RIDES THE HIGHWAY”

A Cross-Country Thrill Ride Fueled by Murder & Terror!

The Motive of this cross-county killing spree at its heart: storytelling.

And though this horrid crime is true, the story was birthed by imagination, as the characters, the players involved, created their own characters and then took to the road to not only discover but reign down their preferred setting. Then, through one unspeakable, vile act after another, these characters wrote a story of adventure—an adventure only those characters could possibly have dreamed of. Set free in a world...

DNA--

We delve into the ominous genetic evidence, a cryptic residue left at the murder scene, otherwise known as DNA, which aligns with the genetic fingerprint of Donald Bull Jr. Expert testimonies, like the foreboding voice of David Metzger, unfurl statistical probabilities, shrouding the proceedings in an unsettling uncertainty. Donnie’s defense team, helmed by the steadfast Alyssa McMillan, braids an argument seeking the dismissal of a murder charge, casting shadows upon the legitimacy of the alleged sexual assault. Yet, Prosecutor Edward Parkinson counters, asserting the DNA link to Bull and a chilling inmate testimony th...

A step back into the courtroom--

The complex legal drama surrounding the Donald Bull trial reveals a web of conflicting testimonies, shifting timelines, and questionable evidence. At its core, the prosecution contends that Donnie committed the double murder, while the defense skillfully challenges the narrative, exposing inconsistencies and potential missteps in the investigation.

Revisiting the deaths of Donna Tompkins and her daughter, Justine¾with a prosecutorial narrative pointing to Bull's involvement in a crime stemming from a failed romance¾the defense continues to question the reliability of the DNA evidence, the credibility of witnesses and hi...

David Shaw--

The half-brother of Donald Bull Jr., David Shaw, offers a unique and intimate perspective into the Bull family and the tumultuous journey they've weathered. In his 20s, David discovered the intricate web of familial connections, realizing that his biological father was none other than Don Bull Sr. Even with Donnie serving time in jail, their meeting was marked by a genuine desire for connection and the excitement of discovering a long-lost brother.

Navigating the complexities of the Bull family dynamics, David shares insights into their unwavering support for Donnie throughout the...

Inner workings--

We review the riveting intricacies of the prosecution's tactics in the case against Donald Bull, a trial where the stakes are nothing short of life and death. The prosecution, determined to establish Bull as responsible for the tragic deaths of Donna and Justine, seeks to navigate a challenging path and, at times, seems to present matters of opinion as irrefutable facts.

As we scrutinize their strategy, it becomes evident that the prosecution walks a fine line, trying to introduce Donnie's past domestic offenses as evidence, emphasizing instances where he was reported...

A legal landscape--

We explore the intricate legal maneuvers, testimonies, and controversies that emerge during Donnie Bull's interactions with Canton Police officers, mainly focusing on his allegations of coercion and rights violation against them. The story highlights the importance of upholding constitutional rights, including the rights advisement process—Miranda Rights—in criminal investigations and trials, revealing the tensions and contradictions that arise during Bull's contentious encounters with law enforcement.

We also delve into a common theme within the trial- public perception and the pursuit of justice- exploring the evolving public perception of Donnie and...

A fire hazard--

Canton has a long history of enduring disasters, all of which, again and again, have disrupted the idyllic nature of small-town living, some more tragic than others. Through a meticulous exploration of domestic fire risks, from historical Victorian homes to the hidden dangers of synthetic materials in modern houses, we explore a compelling reminder of the ever-present threat of fires and the importance of holistic fire safety education. We will delve into Canton's rich historical backdrop, reflecting on its remarkable resilience in the face of these numerous calamities and the pivotal role...

A public affair--

The circumstances surrounding Donnie Bull's arrest, with its lack of discretion as an open spectacle, highlight a significant and complex issue in the criminal justice system. We delve into the ramifications of public displays during the arrest process and how they can potentially influence public sentiment and an individual's right to a fair trial.

Judicial impartiality is a cornerstone of the justice system. Judges are expected to approach each case with an open mind, devoid of personal biases, and with an unwavering commitment to delivering justice based solely on the...