1 00:00:46,480 --> 00:00:51,961 Speaker 1: School of Humans. Helen Got Murder Line actively investigates cold 2 00:00:52,040 --> 00:00:55,361 Speaker 1: case murders in an effort to raise public awareness invite 3 00:00:55,401 --> 00:00:58,761 Speaker 1: witnesses to come forward and present evidence that could potentially 4 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:02,961 Speaker 1: be further investigated by law enforcement. While we value insights 5 00:01:03,001 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: from family and community members, their statements should not be 6 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:09,961 Speaker 1: considered evidence and point to the challenges of verifying facts 7 00:01:10,041 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 1: inherent in cold cases. We remind listeners that everyone has 8 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,160 Speaker 1: presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 9 00:01:17,961 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 1: Nothing in the podcast is intended to state or imply 10 00:01:21,041 --> 00:01:23,601 Speaker 1: that anyone who has not been convicted of a crime 11 00:01:24,121 --> 00:01:27,121 Speaker 1: is guilty of any wrongdoing. Thanks for listening. 12 00:01:27,761 --> 00:01:31,401 Speaker 2: On May fourth, nineteen ninety one, nine year old Christina 13 00:01:31,441 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 2: Pipkin had lunch with her mother, Freda, at her home 14 00:01:34,681 --> 00:01:38,401 Speaker 2: in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas. Christina was just a month away 15 00:01:38,441 --> 00:01:42,641 Speaker 2: from her tenth birthday. Hickory Ridge is a small farming 16 00:01:42,681 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 2: community in East ark Kansaw down Highway forty nine, about 17 00:01:46,121 --> 00:01:50,201 Speaker 2: eighty miles west of Memphis, Tennessee. Back then, it had 18 00:01:50,201 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 2: a population of just over four hundred people. Today it's 19 00:01:54,281 --> 00:01:57,041 Speaker 2: between two and three hundred people. But you get the idea. 20 00:01:57,161 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: This is not a major metropolis. You have to remember 21 00:02:00,361 --> 00:02:03,441 Speaker 2: this was a time when kids would roam around after school. 22 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:05,521 Speaker 2: That was a lot more common than it is today. 23 00:02:06,041 --> 00:02:08,361 Speaker 2: They would ride bikes and play in the woods, and 24 00:02:08,441 --> 00:02:11,121 Speaker 2: of course this was also a time before cell phones. 25 00:02:12,201 --> 00:02:16,041 Speaker 2: Christina Pipkin had a mission that day. She wanted to 26 00:02:16,081 --> 00:02:18,721 Speaker 2: walk door to door to sell costume jewelry for her 27 00:02:18,761 --> 00:02:22,641 Speaker 2: school fundraiser. She had her leaflet with the jewelry listings 28 00:02:22,641 --> 00:02:24,921 Speaker 2: on it and was carrying a pencil so that people 29 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:28,561 Speaker 2: could mark down what they wanted to order. Christina asked 30 00:02:28,561 --> 00:02:31,641 Speaker 2: her dad, James, if she could go around to neighbors houses, 31 00:02:32,121 --> 00:02:35,841 Speaker 2: and at first he said no, but Christina asked again 32 00:02:36,201 --> 00:02:40,801 Speaker 2: and he relented. But her father gave her strict instructions 33 00:02:41,561 --> 00:02:44,241 Speaker 2: stay on your side of the railroad tracks and be 34 00:02:44,361 --> 00:02:48,761 Speaker 2: home by dark. But Christina didn't make it back home 35 00:02:48,841 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 2: before dark. On May fourth, nineteen ninety one, sunset and 36 00:02:54,041 --> 00:02:58,521 Speaker 2: Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, happened at around seven fifty six pm. 37 00:02:59,401 --> 00:03:03,481 Speaker 2: Christina's parents, James and Frieda, reported her missing to the 38 00:03:03,521 --> 00:03:07,601 Speaker 2: Cross County Sheriff's department at eight fifty three pm. Soon 39 00:03:07,881 --> 00:03:11,481 Speaker 2: everyone was looking for her. Over two hundred volunteers were 40 00:03:11,521 --> 00:03:15,800 Speaker 2: searching the entire area. They covered a fifteen mile radius. 41 00:03:16,281 --> 00:03:19,241 Speaker 2: They were calling friends and knocking on doors going to 42 00:03:19,321 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 2: nearby houses, but there was no sign of Christina anywhere. 43 00:03:23,601 --> 00:03:28,681 Speaker 2: Christina's description went out Christina Pipkin, age nine, four foot nine, 44 00:03:28,961 --> 00:03:32,601 Speaker 2: weight eighty pounds. She was wearing a white desert storm 45 00:03:32,681 --> 00:03:36,121 Speaker 2: T shirt with Kuwait on the front and closed toe 46 00:03:36,241 --> 00:03:42,881 Speaker 2: white sandals. Three days later, on May seventh, nineteen ninety one, 47 00:03:43,481 --> 00:03:46,081 Speaker 2: a father and son who lived a few miles away 48 00:03:46,401 --> 00:03:49,721 Speaker 2: right across the Jackson County line, were walking through their 49 00:03:49,801 --> 00:03:52,881 Speaker 2: rice fields. There had been some flooding recently, so they 50 00:03:52,881 --> 00:03:55,641 Speaker 2: were looking around on their property to check the water levels. 51 00:03:56,241 --> 00:03:59,201 Speaker 2: They lived near a large canal called cow Lake Ditch. 52 00:04:00,361 --> 00:04:04,001 Speaker 2: After the flooding, the water levels were much higher than normal. 53 00:04:04,481 --> 00:04:07,241 Speaker 2: Police later said the levels were up to around nine 54 00:04:07,241 --> 00:04:10,521 Speaker 2: feet that day, and as they were walking over the 55 00:04:10,521 --> 00:04:14,241 Speaker 2: bridge that crossed Highway forty two, the seven year old 56 00:04:14,321 --> 00:04:18,801 Speaker 2: son saw something in the water. He said, Dad, isn't 57 00:04:18,801 --> 00:04:23,281 Speaker 2: that the girl that's missing. They had found the body 58 00:04:23,361 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 2: of Christina Pipkin. I'm Catherine Townsend. If you have a 59 00:04:28,841 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: case you'd like me and my team to look into, 60 00:04:31,681 --> 00:04:33,721 Speaker 2: you can reach out to us at our Helen Gone 61 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:37,681 Speaker 2: Murder line at six seven eight seven four four six' 62 00:04:37,721 --> 00:05:28,121 Speaker 2: one four. Five this Is Helen Gone Murder. LINE a 63 00:05:28,121 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 2: few weeks, ago a woman Named Amy tubbs reached out to. 64 00:05:31,481 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 2: Me she had been investigating The Christina pipkin case for, 65 00:05:35,761 --> 00:05:39,601 Speaker 2: years ever since she learned that her father in, Law Robbie, Tubbs. 66 00:05:39,641 --> 00:05:41,880 Speaker 2: Sr had been a suspect in that. 67 00:05:41,961 --> 00:05:48,081 Speaker 3: Case So i'm Married Robbie Tubbs, senior his son who 68 00:05:48,281 --> 00:05:51,481 Speaker 3: shares the same, name except there's a junior behind. It 69 00:05:52,241 --> 00:05:56,361 Speaker 3: so we started dating in twenty, fourteen and on one 70 00:05:56,401 --> 00:06:00,601 Speaker 3: of our first, dates my mom called me really freaked 71 00:06:00,641 --> 00:06:05,041 Speaker 3: out and she, said oh my, gosh are you with? 72 00:06:05,201 --> 00:06:08,001 Speaker 3: Him you need to get your stuff and leave right. 73 00:06:08,041 --> 00:06:13,561 Speaker 3: Now and what are you talking? About and her and 74 00:06:13,601 --> 00:06:18,561 Speaker 3: my aunt had googled his name obviously and found you, 75 00:06:18,601 --> 00:06:23,961 Speaker 3: know the various articles linking him To christina and NOT 76 00:06:24,361 --> 00:06:27,801 Speaker 3: i guess thought about the dates and how you know 77 00:06:27,881 --> 00:06:30,521 Speaker 3: he was the child himself would not, happen and so 78 00:06:30,641 --> 00:06:33,121 Speaker 3: he was, like, well this is not HOW i wanted 79 00:06:33,201 --> 00:06:36,281 Speaker 3: to tell you about, that but here we. 80 00:06:36,321 --> 00:06:40,201 Speaker 2: Go amy said that she's always had an interest in true. 81 00:06:40,241 --> 00:06:43,321 Speaker 2: Crime she wanted to know the truth about what. Happened 82 00:06:43,361 --> 00:06:46,041 Speaker 2: so she did a deep dive into the, case and 83 00:06:46,081 --> 00:06:48,401 Speaker 2: the more she, learned the more questions she. 84 00:06:48,481 --> 00:06:52,441 Speaker 3: Had so WHEN i started looking into the case and 85 00:06:52,521 --> 00:06:55,681 Speaker 3: just kind of googling, IT i couldn't believe that there 86 00:06:55,801 --> 00:07:01,481 Speaker 3: was so little evidence that they used against him and 87 00:07:01,561 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 3: that they were seeking the death. 88 00:07:02,961 --> 00:07:09,681 Speaker 2: Penalty christina's body was found in Cow Lake. Ditch she 89 00:07:09,841 --> 00:07:12,361 Speaker 2: was face down and her head was caught in a tree, 90 00:07:12,401 --> 00:07:15,481 Speaker 2: Branch so even though the current was really strong and 91 00:07:15,481 --> 00:07:18,801 Speaker 2: the water levels were, High christina was wedged in, there. 92 00:07:19,001 --> 00:07:22,521 Speaker 2: Trapped the police recovered the body and sent it for. 93 00:07:22,601 --> 00:07:26,801 Speaker 2: Testing they later revealed That christina's body had no sign 94 00:07:26,841 --> 00:07:29,761 Speaker 2: of injuries on it and that she was fully. Clothed 95 00:07:31,121 --> 00:07:35,441 Speaker 2: christina's family members said early on that she couldn't. Swim 96 00:07:36,001 --> 00:07:39,121 Speaker 2: but even though the police said they found no obvious 97 00:07:39,161 --> 00:07:43,521 Speaker 2: signs of molestation On christina's, Body Dale, arnold the state police, 98 00:07:43,721 --> 00:07:48,441 Speaker 2: investigator said very early on police suspected foul. Play they 99 00:07:48,481 --> 00:07:51,521 Speaker 2: did not believe That christina had gotten to Cow Lake 100 00:07:51,561 --> 00:07:55,921 Speaker 2: ditch on her. Own Cross County Sheriff Ronnie hughey said, 101 00:07:56,001 --> 00:07:59,201 Speaker 2: quote there were no marks on, her no, scratches no, 102 00:07:59,281 --> 00:08:03,681 Speaker 2: trauma nothing BUT i think it's foul. Play somebody caused 103 00:08:03,721 --> 00:08:06,281 Speaker 2: that child to be in that ditchway out there end. 104 00:08:06,361 --> 00:08:11,241 Speaker 2: Quote but if there was no, obvious visible sign of, 105 00:08:11,281 --> 00:08:14,601 Speaker 2: assault why are they so certain that this involved foul. 106 00:08:14,601 --> 00:08:20,481 Speaker 3: Play nobody in that town will talk to. ME i 107 00:08:20,481 --> 00:08:24,161 Speaker 3: don't know if it's because my Name's. TUBS i mean 108 00:08:24,201 --> 00:08:27,401 Speaker 3: there's a strong. Chance but about that state police had 109 00:08:27,441 --> 00:08:31,601 Speaker 3: everything locked down and started acting real fishy WHEN i 110 00:08:31,641 --> 00:08:35,241 Speaker 3: started asking. QUESTIONS i guess the reason why they suspect 111 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:41,001 Speaker 3: foul play was two. Things, one it was about three 112 00:08:41,081 --> 00:08:44,561 Speaker 3: miles from her house and they don't feel like she 113 00:08:44,601 --> 00:08:48,401 Speaker 3: would have gone that. Far and she had on white 114 00:08:48,721 --> 00:08:52,641 Speaker 3: closed toad sandals the last time anyone, saw and they 115 00:08:52,680 --> 00:08:53,521 Speaker 3: never faiund those. 116 00:08:53,601 --> 00:09:01,561 Speaker 2: Sandals amy has done a lot of work over the. 117 00:09:01,601 --> 00:09:05,841 Speaker 2: Years she's submitted multiple foyer, Requests she's contacted people and 118 00:09:05,881 --> 00:09:09,680 Speaker 2: mapped out, locations and as she, mentioned she said That 119 00:09:09,761 --> 00:09:12,961 Speaker 2: christina's body was found around three miles away from her, 120 00:09:13,001 --> 00:09:17,361 Speaker 2: home but some newspaper reports say the distance between Where 121 00:09:17,441 --> 00:09:19,560 Speaker 2: christina was last seen and the ditch where she was 122 00:09:19,601 --> 00:09:23,841 Speaker 2: eventually found was around four. Miles others estimate the distances 123 00:09:23,881 --> 00:09:27,961 Speaker 2: closer to five. Miles and it's confusing because WHEN i 124 00:09:28,041 --> 00:09:30,881 Speaker 2: looked On Google maps and tried to map this location, 125 00:09:31,001 --> 00:09:35,681 Speaker 2: myself it showed a walking distance of nine, miles which 126 00:09:35,721 --> 00:09:39,161 Speaker 2: would have Taken christina about three hours to get. To 127 00:09:39,881 --> 00:09:43,001 Speaker 2: this does not seem, plausible BUT i know this is 128 00:09:43,041 --> 00:09:47,681 Speaker 2: a rural area and appearances can be. Deceiving sometimes distances 129 00:09:48,041 --> 00:09:50,681 Speaker 2: are not an accurate depiction of what's actually going on 130 00:09:50,681 --> 00:09:54,361 Speaker 2: on the. Ground sometimes there are shortcuts that we can't see. 131 00:09:54,401 --> 00:09:57,561 Speaker 2: Online SO i feel like this is one of those 132 00:09:57,641 --> 00:10:00,321 Speaker 2: questions That i'm going to have to go To arkansas to. 133 00:10:00,401 --> 00:10:07,281 Speaker 2: Answer After christina went, missing detectives went around the neighborhood 134 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:10,321 Speaker 2: and interviewed the people who had last seen. Her while, 135 00:10:10,401 --> 00:10:14,281 Speaker 2: canvassing they talked to a woman Named Elsie. Lyles Elsie 136 00:10:14,441 --> 00:10:18,361 Speaker 2: lyles lived On Dotye, street right down From christina's. House 137 00:10:19,081 --> 00:10:21,841 Speaker 2: elsie said That christina had stopped by her house at 138 00:10:21,881 --> 00:10:25,961 Speaker 2: around four. Pm elsie said she Gave christina a pickle 139 00:10:26,041 --> 00:10:30,521 Speaker 2: as a. Snack after eating that, Pickle christina Left elsie's 140 00:10:30,521 --> 00:10:34,201 Speaker 2: house and walked. Home that's when she asked her dad 141 00:10:34,241 --> 00:10:36,161 Speaker 2: if she could walk around to do her door to 142 00:10:36,201 --> 00:10:41,121 Speaker 2: door jewelry. Sales christina had two school friends with. Her 143 00:10:41,921 --> 00:10:45,081 Speaker 2: they told police that for the next or so they 144 00:10:45,121 --> 00:10:48,641 Speaker 2: went around selling their jewelry door to. Door according to 145 00:10:48,681 --> 00:10:52,721 Speaker 2: the Information amy, has the girls told law enforcement they 146 00:10:52,801 --> 00:10:56,081 Speaker 2: Left christina at about six thirty pm At East Ash. 147 00:10:56,121 --> 00:10:59,761 Speaker 2: Street this was just a couple of blocks From christina's. Home, 148 00:11:00,561 --> 00:11:03,721 Speaker 2: NOW i haven't seen any of the official reports pertaining 149 00:11:03,761 --> 00:11:07,321 Speaker 2: To christina's. Case technically it's still an open case. FILE 150 00:11:07,401 --> 00:11:10,081 Speaker 2: i have made a foyer request AND i will let 151 00:11:10,121 --> 00:11:14,601 Speaker 2: you know IF i hear back from. Police BUT i 152 00:11:14,641 --> 00:11:16,201 Speaker 2: just want to put it out. THERE i would love 153 00:11:16,321 --> 00:11:18,881 Speaker 2: to talk to those, girls if they are out there 154 00:11:18,921 --> 00:11:21,481 Speaker 2: and if they're listening to, this BECAUSE i believe they 155 00:11:21,521 --> 00:11:25,800 Speaker 2: could have crucial information About christina's activities that, afternoon and 156 00:11:25,841 --> 00:11:32,321 Speaker 2: they might not even realize how important it. Is detectives 157 00:11:32,401 --> 00:11:36,441 Speaker 2: later found remnants of the pickle In christina's, stomach partially, 158 00:11:36,561 --> 00:11:41,441 Speaker 2: undigested which means that police believe she died on the 159 00:11:41,481 --> 00:11:44,681 Speaker 2: same day she went. Missing so we go back to that, 160 00:11:44,801 --> 00:11:49,241 Speaker 2: Day may, fourth nineteen ninety. One it's late, afternoon getting 161 00:11:49,241 --> 00:11:53,721 Speaker 2: to early. Evening christina's friends parted ways with her at 162 00:11:53,761 --> 00:11:58,681 Speaker 2: around six thirty. Pm, Now christina's dad specifically told her 163 00:11:58,721 --> 00:12:02,441 Speaker 2: to be home before. Dark so whether it was three 164 00:12:02,561 --> 00:12:05,841 Speaker 2: or four miles or nine, miles what would make a 165 00:12:05,881 --> 00:12:09,681 Speaker 2: little girl suddenly decide to walk on her own to 166 00:12:09,761 --> 00:12:14,721 Speaker 2: a ditch right before dark when she couldn't. Swim there 167 00:12:14,721 --> 00:12:17,041 Speaker 2: were a few other odd facts about the case that 168 00:12:17,161 --> 00:12:20,761 Speaker 2: could seem to point toward foul. Play they're mainly, circumstantial 169 00:12:21,361 --> 00:12:24,041 Speaker 2: like the fact that detectives never found the items That 170 00:12:24,121 --> 00:12:27,241 Speaker 2: christina was carrying when she left her. House they didn't 171 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:30,321 Speaker 2: find her, jewelry, leaflets or the pencil she was carrying 172 00:12:30,321 --> 00:12:35,041 Speaker 2: around with her to write down. Orders, Also christina's body 173 00:12:35,241 --> 00:12:38,001 Speaker 2: was fully, clothed as we said, before she was wearing 174 00:12:38,081 --> 00:12:40,721 Speaker 2: the same things she'd been wearing the afternoon she, disappeared 175 00:12:41,441 --> 00:12:44,841 Speaker 2: but her shoes were, missing and no one ever found 176 00:12:44,921 --> 00:12:49,721 Speaker 2: her clothes toe white. Sandals so what happened to the? 177 00:12:49,761 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 2: Shoes did she take them off? Herself could someone have 178 00:12:53,121 --> 00:12:56,201 Speaker 2: been chasing her through those, dense watery rice fields and 179 00:12:56,241 --> 00:13:00,001 Speaker 2: her shoes peeled off her, Feet that is, Possible or 180 00:13:00,201 --> 00:13:02,641 Speaker 2: was she hanging out at someone's house or in their 181 00:13:02,681 --> 00:13:06,201 Speaker 2: car and took them off. Herself if she was, killed 182 00:13:06,201 --> 00:13:09,001 Speaker 2: did the killer take the shoes did they throw them 183 00:13:09,041 --> 00:13:12,161 Speaker 2: away or did they still have them stashed. Somewhere these 184 00:13:12,201 --> 00:13:15,201 Speaker 2: are all the types of dark possibilities that have occurred 185 00:13:15,241 --> 00:13:21,721 Speaker 2: to me with this. Case as we said, before the 186 00:13:21,761 --> 00:13:25,481 Speaker 2: sheriff Of Cross, county Where christina and her family, Lived Ronnie, 187 00:13:25,561 --> 00:13:29,721 Speaker 2: hughey actually said at the time the detectives Believed christina 188 00:13:29,881 --> 00:13:31,841 Speaker 2: was picked up and driven to the site where her 189 00:13:31,841 --> 00:13:35,641 Speaker 2: body was, found and he's given a couple of reasons 190 00:13:35,681 --> 00:13:38,201 Speaker 2: over the years to media about why he thinks. This 191 00:13:38,841 --> 00:13:41,361 Speaker 2: first of, all he, said if she walked to that 192 00:13:41,441 --> 00:13:44,561 Speaker 2: area would have taken a pretty long, time and he 193 00:13:44,721 --> 00:13:48,881 Speaker 2: believes someone would have seen her out. Walking number two 194 00:13:49,401 --> 00:13:51,721 Speaker 2: kind of along the same lines AS i was, thinking 195 00:13:52,761 --> 00:13:54,961 Speaker 2: just the fact that it was near. Dark christina was 196 00:13:55,001 --> 00:13:57,001 Speaker 2: a couple of blocks from, home and she was supposed 197 00:13:57,001 --> 00:14:00,641 Speaker 2: to be home before. Dark why would she randomly turn 198 00:14:00,721 --> 00:14:04,121 Speaker 2: around and walk in the other direction hours away to 199 00:14:04,201 --> 00:14:08,401 Speaker 2: a flooded ditch when she couldn't. Swim detectives did a 200 00:14:08,481 --> 00:14:12,241 Speaker 2: lot of, interviews but they didn't make any, arrests and 201 00:14:12,401 --> 00:14:14,961 Speaker 2: over the, years a lot of people in the county 202 00:14:15,041 --> 00:14:19,721 Speaker 2: wondered why the case seemed to go cold And christina's 203 00:14:19,761 --> 00:14:23,121 Speaker 2: body was not the last child's body found In east 204 00:14:23,201 --> 00:14:27,401 Speaker 2: dark andsas over the next few. Years On october, thirteenth 205 00:14:27,481 --> 00:14:30,241 Speaker 2: nineteen ninety, one a few months After christina's body was, 206 00:14:30,281 --> 00:14:35,521 Speaker 2: found sixteen year Old Guardinia Jones cross. Disappeared guardinia was 207 00:14:35,561 --> 00:14:38,161 Speaker 2: a tenth grader at high school in, when a nearby. 208 00:14:38,201 --> 00:14:42,561 Speaker 2: Town she lived with her, Grandmother Hattie. Cross guardina was 209 00:14:42,601 --> 00:14:45,921 Speaker 2: also a young mother. Herself she was raising a one 210 00:14:45,961 --> 00:14:51,481 Speaker 2: year old. Daughter guardinia's, Grandmother, hattie reported her, missing But 211 00:14:51,521 --> 00:14:54,361 Speaker 2: guardina was not missing for long because the next, day 212 00:14:54,441 --> 00:14:58,121 Speaker 2: On october, fourteenth a man was walking along the side 213 00:14:58,161 --> 00:15:01,161 Speaker 2: of a road Called Moore road outside of when he 214 00:15:01,281 --> 00:15:05,761 Speaker 2: was collecting cans and he saw a body naked except 215 00:15:05,761 --> 00:15:11,681 Speaker 2: for a. Bra it Was Guardinia. Cross guardena had a 216 00:15:11,721 --> 00:15:15,961 Speaker 2: puncture wound in her, head which investigators theorized was made 217 00:15:16,001 --> 00:15:20,921 Speaker 2: with something like a, tool maybe a, screwdriver and unlike 218 00:15:21,001 --> 00:15:24,961 Speaker 2: In christina's, case this time there was no ambiguity this 219 00:15:25,041 --> 00:15:29,441 Speaker 2: had been a brutal. Murder forensic testing revealed something. Else 220 00:15:29,921 --> 00:15:33,601 Speaker 2: when she, Died Guardenia cross was around five months. Pregnant 221 00:15:34,841 --> 00:15:41,161 Speaker 2: no one was arrested or charged with that. Murder In 222 00:15:41,201 --> 00:15:44,921 Speaker 2: may of nineteen ninety. Two another young, girl a thirteen 223 00:15:45,001 --> 00:15:49,241 Speaker 2: year old Named Geneva, smith was reported. Missing On june, 224 00:15:49,281 --> 00:15:52,161 Speaker 2: first a body was found in The Saint Francis. River 225 00:15:53,241 --> 00:15:56,681 Speaker 2: remember this was back in the, nineties BEFORE dna testing was, 226 00:15:56,761 --> 00:16:00,601 Speaker 2: widespread and police had nothing to go. On they didn't 227 00:16:00,601 --> 00:16:04,481 Speaker 2: even have dental records to compare With. Geneva but investigators 228 00:16:04,481 --> 00:16:06,721 Speaker 2: said at the time they were ninety nine percent sure 229 00:16:07,081 --> 00:16:09,961 Speaker 2: that the body was her based on the clothing that 230 00:16:10,001 --> 00:16:13,321 Speaker 2: she was. Wearing the shoes and shirt matched the description 231 00:16:13,401 --> 00:16:15,921 Speaker 2: That geneva's family had given of what she'd been wearing 232 00:16:15,921 --> 00:16:20,081 Speaker 2: the day she went. Missing this was a. Tragedy they 233 00:16:20,121 --> 00:16:24,241 Speaker 2: did eventually determine that this Was Geneva. Smith the body 234 00:16:24,321 --> 00:16:28,601 Speaker 2: was so decomposed they weren't able to determine the exact 235 00:16:28,601 --> 00:16:31,361 Speaker 2: cause of. Death and not only, that all they could 236 00:16:31,401 --> 00:16:35,361 Speaker 2: determine at first was that the victim was. Black they 237 00:16:35,401 --> 00:16:38,361 Speaker 2: couldn't even figure out what gender the body. Was it 238 00:16:38,441 --> 00:16:43,641 Speaker 2: was that badly decomposed and. BRUTALIZED i cannot imagine how 239 00:16:43,841 --> 00:16:46,481 Speaker 2: horrifying that must have been for that young woman's. Family 240 00:16:48,681 --> 00:16:52,641 Speaker 2: so what happened in that. Case eventually police did make an. 241 00:16:52,721 --> 00:16:57,481 Speaker 2: Arrest they charged two suspects with that, killing but those 242 00:16:57,521 --> 00:17:01,921 Speaker 2: two men were, released So Geneva smith's killer or killers 243 00:17:01,961 --> 00:17:09,801 Speaker 2: are also still out. There then In may of nineteen ninety, 244 00:17:09,801 --> 00:17:13,201 Speaker 2: three there, was of, course the three eight year old, 245 00:17:13,201 --> 00:17:17,521 Speaker 2: Boys Michael, Moore Steve branch And Christopher, byers the boys 246 00:17:17,521 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 2: who had become known as The West Memphis. Three the 247 00:17:20,681 --> 00:17:23,360 Speaker 2: three friends went out for an after school bike ride 248 00:17:23,681 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 2: and they never came. Home their mutilated bodies were found 249 00:17:27,681 --> 00:17:32,281 Speaker 2: in a nearby. Swamp, now eventually this case became a national, 250 00:17:32,321 --> 00:17:35,321 Speaker 2: sensation and most of my listeners will be familiar with 251 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:38,321 Speaker 2: what happened. Next in The West memphis three, case sixteen 252 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:41,521 Speaker 2: year Old jesse Mus, kelly seventeen year Old James, baldwin 253 00:17:41,880 --> 00:17:45,921 Speaker 2: and eighteen year Old Damian eccles were, arrested, prosecuted and eventually. 254 00:17:45,921 --> 00:17:50,561 Speaker 2: Convicted jesse And james got life, Sentences damien was sentenced to. 255 00:17:50,601 --> 00:17:54,281 Speaker 2: Death all of them sat in jail for many years 256 00:17:54,681 --> 00:17:57,881 Speaker 2: before numerous documentaries and books came out about this, case 257 00:17:58,401 --> 00:18:01,920 Speaker 2: and they documented the many injustices that had, happened the 258 00:18:01,921 --> 00:18:04,721 Speaker 2: fact that there was NO dna evidence that matched any of, 259 00:18:04,761 --> 00:18:07,920 Speaker 2: them no physical, evidence and there were a lot of 260 00:18:08,001 --> 00:18:11,441 Speaker 2: problems With jesse mckelly's confession in, particular which had gone 261 00:18:11,481 --> 00:18:15,721 Speaker 2: on for over twelve. Hours, Basically, Damien, james And jesse 262 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:19,001 Speaker 2: were convicted in an atmosphere of fear In West, memphis 263 00:18:19,681 --> 00:18:23,401 Speaker 2: and this followed the satanic panic hysteria that happened during 264 00:18:23,441 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 2: the nineteen. Eighties Because damien was this kind of weird 265 00:18:26,921 --> 00:18:29,481 Speaker 2: local guy who listened to heavy metal and wore black 266 00:18:29,521 --> 00:18:33,121 Speaker 2: and was reportedly into, witchcraft the police just a laser 267 00:18:33,201 --> 00:18:37,001 Speaker 2: focused on him and they refused to change. Course over the, 268 00:18:37,121 --> 00:18:40,481 Speaker 2: years all three of them maintained their innocence and NEW 269 00:18:40,561 --> 00:18:43,160 Speaker 2: dna testing was done in two thousand and. Seven it 270 00:18:43,201 --> 00:18:45,161 Speaker 2: was a nounce that THE dna found at the crime 271 00:18:45,201 --> 00:18:47,441 Speaker 2: scene did not match any of. Them it didn't Match, 272 00:18:47,521 --> 00:18:52,441 Speaker 2: Damien jesse Or. James, furthermore there WAS dna at that crime, 273 00:18:52,481 --> 00:18:58,281 Speaker 2: scene THE dna of an unknown. Man in twenty, ten 274 00:18:58,401 --> 00:19:02,281 Speaker 2: The Supreme court ruled that the defendants could present new 275 00:19:02,321 --> 00:19:07,521 Speaker 2: evidence to establish their. Innocence so the three of them 276 00:19:07,521 --> 00:19:09,681 Speaker 2: have been sitting in jail for over twenty years and 277 00:19:09,721 --> 00:19:12,201 Speaker 2: they were getting ready for a new, trial, which as 278 00:19:12,201 --> 00:19:15,001 Speaker 2: we all, know could have taken. Years that's when one 279 00:19:15,001 --> 00:19:17,961 Speaker 2: of the defense attorneys suggested the men take something called 280 00:19:18,001 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 2: An alfred. Plea, now An alfred plea is kind of. 281 00:19:21,681 --> 00:19:24,201 Speaker 2: Unique what it means is that they could still claim 282 00:19:24,241 --> 00:19:28,921 Speaker 2: they were innocent while not changing their guilty. Plea it's 283 00:19:29,001 --> 00:19:31,721 Speaker 2: kind of a way of having it both. Ways the 284 00:19:31,761 --> 00:19:34,041 Speaker 2: state gets to save. Face they don't have to have 285 00:19:34,080 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 2: a new. Trial they still have their guilty, plea And, 286 00:19:37,801 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 2: Damian jesse And james don't have to waste more years 287 00:19:41,121 --> 00:19:43,041 Speaker 2: of their lives waiting for a new. Trial they get 288 00:19:43,041 --> 00:19:45,481 Speaker 2: to get out of jail and start their. Lives so 289 00:19:45,561 --> 00:19:49,441 Speaker 2: in twenty, eleven that's what. Happened the three defendants were 290 00:19:49,481 --> 00:19:51,880 Speaker 2: released without having to go through a new trial and 291 00:19:51,921 --> 00:19:56,241 Speaker 2: having the verdict. Overturn it's an ambiguous. Result the case 292 00:19:56,321 --> 00:19:59,441 Speaker 2: is still. Open damien and his attorneys are still fighting 293 00:19:59,441 --> 00:20:02,681 Speaker 2: to GET dna from the crime. Scene An arkansas judge 294 00:20:02,721 --> 00:20:06,041 Speaker 2: has denied that. Request the judge said that he was 295 00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:10,401 Speaker 2: denying the request Because damien's out of prison. Now damien 296 00:20:10,441 --> 00:20:13,081 Speaker 2: and his lawyers have appealed this decision to The Arkansas Supreme, 297 00:20:13,121 --> 00:20:15,281 Speaker 2: court and they are still waiting to find out if 298 00:20:15,281 --> 00:20:18,600 Speaker 2: THAT dna testing can. Happen, remember this saga has been 299 00:20:18,641 --> 00:20:21,001 Speaker 2: going on for over thirty years at this, point and 300 00:20:21,041 --> 00:20:25,041 Speaker 2: there's still no final. ANSWER i bring this case up 301 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,921 Speaker 2: BECAUSE i absolutely believe that if it hadn't been for 302 00:20:29,001 --> 00:20:32,401 Speaker 2: the fact that all of these injustices were documented by 303 00:20:32,481 --> 00:20:36,400 Speaker 2: journalists and books and, documentaries the problems with this case 304 00:20:36,441 --> 00:20:40,041 Speaker 2: would never have been. Revealed all three of those, Guys, Damien, 305 00:20:40,161 --> 00:20:42,961 Speaker 2: jesse And james would still be sitting in prison right. 306 00:20:43,001 --> 00:20:46,161 Speaker 2: NOW i really believe. That and this was all going 307 00:20:46,201 --> 00:20:49,321 Speaker 2: on in the early. Nineties especially during this, time there 308 00:20:49,321 --> 00:20:52,361 Speaker 2: were some very real abuses going on In, arkansas both 309 00:20:52,361 --> 00:20:55,201 Speaker 2: in law enforcement and in the crime, lab and the 310 00:20:55,241 --> 00:20:59,601 Speaker 2: repercussions of those mistakes are still going on to this. Day, 311 00:21:00,281 --> 00:21:04,761 Speaker 2: also if those three guys weren't the, killers that means 312 00:21:04,761 --> 00:21:07,441 Speaker 2: that the actual killer of The West memphis, three the 313 00:21:07,601 --> 00:21:11,521 Speaker 2: person or persons who mutilated those three little boys and 314 00:21:11,641 --> 00:21:14,241 Speaker 2: dumped them in the, swamp is still out, there and 315 00:21:14,281 --> 00:21:16,561 Speaker 2: a lot of people worry they may never be. Charged 316 00:21:17,801 --> 00:21:21,400 Speaker 2: who knows how many predatory child killers are still out 317 00:21:21,441 --> 00:21:28,241 Speaker 2: there In East arkansas. Now despite the fact that all 318 00:21:28,241 --> 00:21:32,761 Speaker 2: of these deaths happened in the same general, area investigators 319 00:21:32,761 --> 00:21:35,521 Speaker 2: have never found a connection between any of them between 320 00:21:35,561 --> 00:21:39,321 Speaker 2: The West memphis, Three Guardina Cross, Jones Geneva, smith And Christina. 321 00:21:39,361 --> 00:21:42,241 Speaker 2: Pipkin there were a lot of. Differences the dead children 322 00:21:42,281 --> 00:21:46,681 Speaker 2: were different. Ages, guardina like The West MEMPHIS, iii had 323 00:21:46,681 --> 00:21:49,281 Speaker 2: a lot of damage to her, body, while for, Example 324 00:21:49,401 --> 00:21:52,840 Speaker 2: christina did not have any obvious marks on. Her Apparently 325 00:21:52,881 --> 00:21:55,401 Speaker 2: Geneva smith's body was too decomposed to know for. Sure 326 00:21:57,521 --> 00:22:01,841 Speaker 2: Cross County Sheriff Ronnie hughey expressed his frustration back. Then he, said, 327 00:22:01,921 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 2: quote you keep scratching and clawing and. Digging these kinds 328 00:22:06,121 --> 00:22:09,401 Speaker 2: of cases are different because these are. Kids we've been 329 00:22:09,441 --> 00:22:15,681 Speaker 2: backwards and. Forwards it's been very. Frustrating end. Quote now 330 00:22:15,801 --> 00:22:18,961 Speaker 2: let's come back to The Christina pipkin. Case let's talk 331 00:22:18,961 --> 00:22:23,281 Speaker 2: about what happened after police finally made an. Arrest police 332 00:22:23,281 --> 00:22:25,921 Speaker 2: were questioning everyone in the neighborhood that were checking out 333 00:22:25,921 --> 00:22:29,481 Speaker 2: potential people of, interest, including from what my source, says 334 00:22:29,801 --> 00:22:33,281 Speaker 2: some local sex, offenders including one guy From florida who 335 00:22:33,361 --> 00:22:37,321 Speaker 2: was living. Nearby then they began to focus on someone 336 00:22:37,401 --> 00:22:40,161 Speaker 2: they considered A bible. Suspect and this is Where amy's 337 00:22:40,161 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 2: father in, Law Robbie, tubbs enters the story and he 338 00:22:43,921 --> 00:22:47,120 Speaker 2: admits that her father in law, was in her, words 339 00:22:47,161 --> 00:22:51,641 Speaker 2: not a particularly good. Man back in the early, Nineties 340 00:22:52,041 --> 00:22:54,921 Speaker 2: robbie was married and he and his, Wife sandra had five. 341 00:22:55,041 --> 00:22:59,521 Speaker 2: Kids according To, Amy robbie was physically abusive with his 342 00:22:59,561 --> 00:23:03,361 Speaker 2: Wife sandra at. Times robbie didn't have a regular nine 343 00:23:03,401 --> 00:23:05,961 Speaker 2: to five. Job he always did kind of side. Jobs 344 00:23:06,401 --> 00:23:09,041 Speaker 2: he would go out turtle hunting and fishing and selling 345 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:14,801 Speaker 2: things that he. Caught Sandra tubbs talked to the police 346 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,361 Speaker 2: In october of nineteen ninety, one a few months After 347 00:23:18,481 --> 00:23:21,841 Speaker 2: christina's body was. Found when she came in to see, 348 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:24,481 Speaker 2: them she told them that back When christina first went, 349 00:23:24,601 --> 00:23:27,681 Speaker 2: Missing robbie had made a comment to her that she 350 00:23:27,801 --> 00:23:30,681 Speaker 2: said disturbed her and it led her to believe that he, 351 00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:35,281 Speaker 2: had in a way potentially confessed To christina's. Murder sandra 352 00:23:35,401 --> 00:23:38,360 Speaker 2: Said robbie told, her right after hearing That christina was, 353 00:23:38,401 --> 00:23:41,801 Speaker 2: missing that he Knew christina would turn up dead in 354 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:46,281 Speaker 2: a rice ditch In Jackson. County she told police That robbie, said, 355 00:23:46,361 --> 00:23:49,961 Speaker 2: quote there are too many rice ditches for somebody to drown. 356 00:23:50,001 --> 00:23:54,681 Speaker 2: In she's dead end. Quote sandra said she confronted her 357 00:23:54,761 --> 00:23:56,721 Speaker 2: husband and started asking him what he meant by that. 358 00:23:56,761 --> 00:24:01,041 Speaker 2: Comment when she, did the fight seemed to. Escalate sandra 359 00:24:01,121 --> 00:24:04,521 Speaker 2: said she threatened to call the, police and that's when 360 00:24:04,601 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 2: she Said robbie tied her up and gagged her to 361 00:24:07,601 --> 00:24:11,761 Speaker 2: stop her from calling law. Enforcement sandra told a friend of, 362 00:24:11,801 --> 00:24:14,801 Speaker 2: hers a woman Named, susan the same story at the. Time, 363 00:24:15,641 --> 00:24:18,361 Speaker 2: later police Called sandra's friend and took a statement from, 364 00:24:18,361 --> 00:24:21,721 Speaker 2: her and that friend confirmed that, Yes sandra had told 365 00:24:21,721 --> 00:24:24,001 Speaker 2: her that story at around the time When christina went. 366 00:24:24,041 --> 00:24:27,281 Speaker 2: Missing so the police went to talk To Robbie. Tubbs 367 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:32,841 Speaker 2: Arkansas State police Investigator Dale arnold did the. Interview according 368 00:24:32,881 --> 00:24:35,961 Speaker 2: to police, documents the first time That Dale arnold talked To, 369 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:39,761 Speaker 2: Robbie robbie claimed he was not in the area Of 370 00:24:39,801 --> 00:24:43,521 Speaker 2: Hickory ridge at all On may, fourth nineteen ninety, one 371 00:24:43,801 --> 00:24:46,001 Speaker 2: so he said he was nowhere near the area Where 372 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:50,201 Speaker 2: christina went missing, From but later he apparently changed his. 373 00:24:50,281 --> 00:24:52,880 Speaker 2: Story he said he may have been around there on 374 00:24:52,921 --> 00:24:57,721 Speaker 2: the Day christina. Disappeared police were finding issues With robbie's. 375 00:24:57,761 --> 00:25:01,321 Speaker 2: Alibi robbie claimed he had been staying in a motel And, DeWitt, 376 00:25:01,401 --> 00:25:05,681 Speaker 2: arkansas but police checked the motel registration they couldn't find 377 00:25:05,721 --> 00:25:10,281 Speaker 2: any record Of robbie staying, there probably because police Believed 378 00:25:10,401 --> 00:25:13,561 Speaker 2: christina had been driven to that. Location, obviously they were 379 00:25:13,641 --> 00:25:17,241 Speaker 2: checking out every person of interest. Car at some point 380 00:25:17,281 --> 00:25:20,481 Speaker 2: police figured out That robbie had a, car a nineteen 381 00:25:20,521 --> 00:25:24,001 Speaker 2: eighty ONE Amc eagle that he had sold sometime in 382 00:25:24,041 --> 00:25:27,241 Speaker 2: the spring of nineteen ninety, one so this Is december 383 00:25:27,241 --> 00:25:30,041 Speaker 2: of nineteen ninety. One After sandra came to see, them 384 00:25:31,281 --> 00:25:33,801 Speaker 2: police found the woman Who robbie had sold the car. 385 00:25:33,881 --> 00:25:37,360 Speaker 2: To it wasn't, running just sitting out in her yard 386 00:25:37,441 --> 00:25:40,721 Speaker 2: where it had been sitting for. Months but police went 387 00:25:40,761 --> 00:25:43,321 Speaker 2: out and found the vehicle and did forensic testing on that. 388 00:25:43,361 --> 00:25:47,121 Speaker 2: Car they got a hair sample which they bagged as. Evidence, 389 00:25:48,321 --> 00:25:52,481 Speaker 2: Now robbie's private life was. Complicated he was married To, 390 00:25:52,561 --> 00:25:55,881 Speaker 2: sandra but he had been seeing another woman Named. Janetta 391 00:25:56,601 --> 00:26:00,041 Speaker 2: police Asked robbi during their questioning If christina could have 392 00:26:00,121 --> 00:26:03,801 Speaker 2: ever been inside his, car and apparently at one point 393 00:26:04,041 --> 00:26:07,281 Speaker 2: he said That christina and another child may have sat 394 00:26:07,281 --> 00:26:11,600 Speaker 2: in his car With. Janetta apparently her child went to 395 00:26:11,641 --> 00:26:15,521 Speaker 2: the same school As. Christina, anyway he said that he 396 00:26:15,641 --> 00:26:18,561 Speaker 2: and these, kids one of whom may have Been, christina 397 00:26:19,041 --> 00:26:21,601 Speaker 2: sat in his car in a nearby park With. Janetta 398 00:26:22,281 --> 00:26:25,401 Speaker 2: but then police talked To, janetta she said that wasn't. 399 00:26:25,441 --> 00:26:28,761 Speaker 2: True she Said christina was never in that car and 400 00:26:28,801 --> 00:26:32,601 Speaker 2: that they had never been in that. Park so Now 401 00:26:32,801 --> 00:26:36,441 Speaker 2: robbie's alibi seemed to be kind of falling. APART i 402 00:26:36,481 --> 00:26:39,201 Speaker 2: want to point, out, though that without access to the case, 403 00:26:39,201 --> 00:26:42,681 Speaker 2: file without recordings of what, happened we don't know what 404 00:26:42,881 --> 00:26:45,840 Speaker 2: happened Before robbie made those. Statements we don't know what 405 00:26:45,881 --> 00:26:48,041 Speaker 2: the police Told, robbie how long they had him in. 406 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:52,440 Speaker 2: Custody were these statements coerced in any. Way i'm not 407 00:26:52,481 --> 00:26:55,120 Speaker 2: saying that they. Were i'm just saying, that given what 408 00:26:55,241 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 2: was going on In arkansas at that, time we need 409 00:26:58,121 --> 00:27:02,401 Speaker 2: to know for sure how that questioning went. Down growing, 410 00:27:02,481 --> 00:27:04,721 Speaker 2: UP i used to always think that if you hadn't 411 00:27:04,721 --> 00:27:06,920 Speaker 2: done anything, wrong that there was no way that you 412 00:27:06,921 --> 00:27:10,160 Speaker 2: would lie in a police interrogation. Room but after What 413 00:27:10,201 --> 00:27:12,600 Speaker 2: i've learned over the, YEARS i now no longer believe 414 00:27:12,641 --> 00:27:15,161 Speaker 2: THAT i want to know the context of what was being. 415 00:27:15,201 --> 00:27:20,361 Speaker 2: Said police Had sandra's statement About, robbie and they had 416 00:27:20,361 --> 00:27:24,681 Speaker 2: that hair sample From robbie's former. Vehicle, now forensic testing 417 00:27:24,761 --> 00:27:27,441 Speaker 2: was not nearly as advanced in nineteen ninety one as 418 00:27:27,441 --> 00:27:30,681 Speaker 2: it is now, obviously so the testing police could have 419 00:27:30,721 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 2: done on that hair at the time would have been pretty. 420 00:27:32,840 --> 00:27:37,241 Speaker 2: Limited without the advanced, testing the police had no physical, 421 00:27:37,281 --> 00:27:41,080 Speaker 2: evidence at least not. Yet but they were building a 422 00:27:41,121 --> 00:27:44,641 Speaker 2: case Against Robbie, tubbs and they Had Sandra tubbs is 423 00:27:44,681 --> 00:27:48,401 Speaker 2: their main. Witness but no jury would ever hear From 424 00:27:48,441 --> 00:27:52,561 Speaker 2: Sandra tubbs because On may, fourth nineteen ninety, three exactly 425 00:27:52,681 --> 00:27:57,681 Speaker 2: two years After Christina pipkin, Vanished Sandra tubbs was brutally. 426 00:27:57,761 --> 00:28:11,681 Speaker 2: Murdered the circumstances around the murder Of Sandra tubbs are, 427 00:28:11,721 --> 00:28:15,881 Speaker 2: bizarre to say the, least and they are. Controversial some 428 00:28:15,921 --> 00:28:19,001 Speaker 2: people to this day believe That Robbie tubbs had something 429 00:28:19,001 --> 00:28:21,041 Speaker 2: to do with. It they just think that timing is too. 430 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:26,201 Speaker 2: Coincidental they wonder if he somehow masterminded the. Murder it 431 00:28:26,321 --> 00:28:30,721 Speaker 2: just seemed very strange that exactly two years After Christina pipkin's, 432 00:28:30,761 --> 00:28:34,840 Speaker 2: death That sandra would be found. Dead On may, fourth 433 00:28:34,961 --> 00:28:39,081 Speaker 2: nineteen ninety, Three Sandra tubbs was alone at home In, Moro. 434 00:28:39,321 --> 00:28:43,401 Speaker 2: Arkansas the school bus had come between five and seven 435 00:28:43,441 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 2: am that. Morning all Of sandra's children were already at. 436 00:28:47,441 --> 00:28:50,441 Speaker 2: School only her youngest, son who was sleeping on the 437 00:28:50,481 --> 00:28:52,721 Speaker 2: living room floor in front of THE, tv was home with. 438 00:28:52,801 --> 00:28:56,561 Speaker 2: Her sandra was doing some home. Decorating she had a 439 00:28:56,601 --> 00:28:59,121 Speaker 2: can of paint varnish open with a brush lying on 440 00:28:59,161 --> 00:29:00,601 Speaker 2: top of, it like she was in the middle of. 441 00:29:00,641 --> 00:29:04,961 Speaker 2: Painting robbie later told police that he woke up that, 442 00:29:05,041 --> 00:29:07,481 Speaker 2: morning he And sandra made some. Coffee they had a 443 00:29:07,481 --> 00:29:09,881 Speaker 2: totally normal conversation about what they were going to do that. 444 00:29:09,961 --> 00:29:13,601 Speaker 2: Day then he said he left the house by seven point. 445 00:29:13,601 --> 00:29:16,921 Speaker 2: Fifteen his, plan he, said was to go out and 446 00:29:16,961 --> 00:29:18,921 Speaker 2: pull in some, turtlenets get out on the water for 447 00:29:18,961 --> 00:29:21,561 Speaker 2: a little, bit then to head to the store in 448 00:29:21,641 --> 00:29:26,801 Speaker 2: town In. Morrow After robbie left the, house sometime after seven, 449 00:29:26,841 --> 00:29:31,161 Speaker 2: am two local teenagers Named Jerry Lee ray And Stephen 450 00:29:31,281 --> 00:29:35,161 Speaker 2: Chad kapliner came to the. Door now these teens were 451 00:29:35,201 --> 00:29:38,361 Speaker 2: apparently acquaintances Of robbie And sandra's, kids and rode the 452 00:29:38,361 --> 00:29:41,921 Speaker 2: bus with. Them the boys lived nearby and later told 453 00:29:42,001 --> 00:29:44,961 Speaker 2: police they had kind of a vague plan to run 454 00:29:45,001 --> 00:29:48,201 Speaker 2: away from. Home they had started the day, earlier but 455 00:29:48,281 --> 00:29:51,961 Speaker 2: hadn't made it very. Far chad And jerry had camped 456 00:29:51,961 --> 00:29:54,161 Speaker 2: out all night in a tent in the. Woods they 457 00:29:54,161 --> 00:29:56,961 Speaker 2: were carrying an orange bag with them containing their, pup, 458 00:29:57,001 --> 00:30:01,161 Speaker 2: tent a, flashlight a pair of, binoculars a maroon, jacket a, 459 00:30:01,201 --> 00:30:05,881 Speaker 2: compass a knife, sheath shotgun, shells some alka, seltzer and 460 00:30:05,961 --> 00:30:10,521 Speaker 2: a leather. Whip they needed, supplies and they seemed to 461 00:30:10,561 --> 00:30:12,721 Speaker 2: come up with this kind of half baked plan to 462 00:30:12,761 --> 00:30:14,841 Speaker 2: steal some stuff from houses. 463 00:30:17,201 --> 00:30:17,281 Speaker 3: That. 464 00:30:17,481 --> 00:30:21,161 Speaker 2: Morning they waited until after the school bus, left then 465 00:30:21,761 --> 00:30:25,961 Speaker 2: they Approached sandra's back. Door, now according to statements the 466 00:30:26,001 --> 00:30:28,681 Speaker 2: teens made to police That amy managed to get a hold, 467 00:30:28,721 --> 00:30:33,441 Speaker 2: of each of the guys had fairly similar versions of what, 468 00:30:33,561 --> 00:30:36,161 Speaker 2: happened except they kind of blamed each other for doing the. 469 00:30:36,161 --> 00:30:40,481 Speaker 2: Shooting chad claimed he was holding the shotgun and that 470 00:30:40,761 --> 00:30:43,401 Speaker 2: after they came up on the back, porch he pulled 471 00:30:43,441 --> 00:30:46,081 Speaker 2: the hand and threw the gun To Jerry Lee, ray 472 00:30:46,641 --> 00:30:49,121 Speaker 2: and after, that he, Said Jerry Lee ray started. Shooting 473 00:30:49,201 --> 00:30:52,881 Speaker 2: he had no idea what. Happened, again, basically each one 474 00:30:52,921 --> 00:30:55,441 Speaker 2: blamed the, other but looking at their police, statements in my, 475 00:30:55,521 --> 00:30:59,121 Speaker 2: Opinion Jerry Lee ray's story is much more believable and 476 00:30:59,161 --> 00:31:03,401 Speaker 2: has a lot more credible. Details jerry said that they 477 00:31:03,441 --> 00:31:06,001 Speaker 2: went to the. Door chad had the shotgun in his. Hand, 478 00:31:06,801 --> 00:31:09,321 Speaker 2: again their objective that morning was to steal some. Food 479 00:31:09,361 --> 00:31:11,881 Speaker 2: they thought no one was, home but when they went 480 00:31:11,961 --> 00:31:15,081 Speaker 2: up on the back, Porch sandra appeared at the. Door 481 00:31:15,561 --> 00:31:19,001 Speaker 2: she probably saw they were carrying a. Shotgun she shut 482 00:31:19,041 --> 00:31:22,041 Speaker 2: the door in their. Face at that, point a shot 483 00:31:22,161 --> 00:31:25,601 Speaker 2: was fired through the. Door police found drops of blood 484 00:31:25,681 --> 00:31:28,641 Speaker 2: inside the, home and they were able to recreate what 485 00:31:28,721 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 2: they believe. Happened, next one of the, teens Probably, chad 486 00:31:34,241 --> 00:31:36,241 Speaker 2: had the gun in his hand and fired that first. 487 00:31:36,281 --> 00:31:39,681 Speaker 2: Shot it went through the door and Hit sandra and wounded, 488 00:31:39,721 --> 00:31:42,921 Speaker 2: her but it wasn't. Fatal in that, moment it seemed 489 00:31:42,961 --> 00:31:47,001 Speaker 2: like everyone. Panicked chad And jerry Chased sandra through the. 490 00:31:47,001 --> 00:31:50,601 Speaker 2: House when police came to the, scene the rest of 491 00:31:50,601 --> 00:31:54,161 Speaker 2: the house looked basically. Untouched it looked like they chased 492 00:31:54,201 --> 00:31:56,601 Speaker 2: her straight through the back door and out the front. 493 00:31:56,601 --> 00:32:01,121 Speaker 2: Door at that, point it seemed Like sandra completely. Panicked 494 00:32:01,681 --> 00:32:03,921 Speaker 2: she left her young son sleeping on the living room. 495 00:32:03,961 --> 00:32:07,121 Speaker 2: Floor she was running for her. Life she raced out 496 00:32:07,121 --> 00:32:10,201 Speaker 2: that front. Door, now of, course it's impossible to know 497 00:32:10,401 --> 00:32:13,881 Speaker 2: exactly what she was thinking at that, Point But i'm 498 00:32:13,881 --> 00:32:16,801 Speaker 2: thinking she was probably trying to get to the neighbor's 499 00:32:16,801 --> 00:32:21,361 Speaker 2: house to get some, help or to attract, attention or 500 00:32:21,521 --> 00:32:24,601 Speaker 2: just her instinct is a, mother maybe she was just 501 00:32:24,681 --> 00:32:27,281 Speaker 2: trying to lure that danger away from her little. Son 502 00:32:28,481 --> 00:32:31,321 Speaker 2: Jerry Lee ray said in his statement that once they 503 00:32:31,401 --> 00:32:34,041 Speaker 2: got to the front, Yard chad was yelling At, sandra 504 00:32:34,081 --> 00:32:37,201 Speaker 2: but he couldn't understand what he was. Saying chad Shot 505 00:32:37,281 --> 00:32:40,921 Speaker 2: sandra in the. Back the shotgun blast Knocked sandra to 506 00:32:40,961 --> 00:32:44,201 Speaker 2: her knees and she fell. Forward her, glass which she 507 00:32:44,201 --> 00:32:48,401 Speaker 2: couldn't see, without fell off during the. Struggle police later 508 00:32:48,521 --> 00:32:51,401 Speaker 2: found two shotgun, holes which is the outer casing that 509 00:32:51,481 --> 00:32:54,521 Speaker 2: holds the, shells at the. Scene one was on the 510 00:32:54,561 --> 00:32:57,801 Speaker 2: back near the back porch, steps the other in the 511 00:32:57,801 --> 00:33:01,121 Speaker 2: front yard about thirty yards from Where sandra was lying. 512 00:33:01,201 --> 00:33:06,481 Speaker 2: Dead after the, Shooting jerry And chad ran to a nearby. 513 00:33:06,521 --> 00:33:09,921 Speaker 2: House they stole some food out of the, cabinet stole 514 00:33:10,001 --> 00:33:13,681 Speaker 2: Some easter candy and playing. Cards, also they stole a 515 00:33:13,721 --> 00:33:17,241 Speaker 2: gun during that time while they were at the neighbor's. 516 00:33:17,321 --> 00:33:20,201 Speaker 2: Place apparently they also took off their shoes and put 517 00:33:20,201 --> 00:33:24,321 Speaker 2: on some other. Ones these guys were not criminal. Masterminds 518 00:33:24,841 --> 00:33:28,041 Speaker 2: they left behind all kinds of, evidence including footprints and 519 00:33:28,161 --> 00:33:31,681 Speaker 2: the actual shoes they. Wore police pretty quickly were able 520 00:33:31,681 --> 00:33:34,801 Speaker 2: to bag those shoes. Up they also left their bag 521 00:33:35,361 --> 00:33:38,081 Speaker 2: with all of their supplies in it at the murder. 522 00:33:38,161 --> 00:33:40,801 Speaker 2: Scene they had to go back and grab. It they 523 00:33:40,841 --> 00:33:42,921 Speaker 2: also tried to steal a truck that was sitting out 524 00:33:42,921 --> 00:33:46,121 Speaker 2: in front of rob In sandra's, house but they couldn't 525 00:33:46,121 --> 00:33:48,881 Speaker 2: even do that because the vehicle wouldn't, start so they 526 00:33:48,961 --> 00:33:53,001 Speaker 2: hid in the. Woods after police showed up with, bloodhounds 527 00:33:53,601 --> 00:33:56,801 Speaker 2: they quickly found the two. Teens they also found the 528 00:33:56,841 --> 00:33:59,961 Speaker 2: shoes and the gun and all the other. Evidence they 529 00:34:00,041 --> 00:34:06,001 Speaker 2: Captured chad And, jerry and they quickly. Confessed there are 530 00:34:06,041 --> 00:34:09,321 Speaker 2: a lot of tragic things About Sandra tubbs's, murder but 531 00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:11,881 Speaker 2: one of the, worst in my, opinion was that the 532 00:34:11,921 --> 00:34:16,440 Speaker 2: whole murder was literally for. Nothing they Killed, sandra five, 533 00:34:16,601 --> 00:34:20,120 Speaker 2: children don't have a, Mother jerry And chad went to 534 00:34:20,201 --> 00:34:25,160 Speaker 2: jail for their entire young, lives and for. Nothing all 535 00:34:25,201 --> 00:34:28,881 Speaker 2: they got was some easter. Candy probably because of, that 536 00:34:29,641 --> 00:34:32,281 Speaker 2: the rumor mill. Started there must have been more to. 537 00:34:32,321 --> 00:34:34,080 Speaker 2: It could the kids have been put up to that 538 00:34:34,201 --> 00:34:37,801 Speaker 2: robbery by someone, else Maybe robbie, senior or by someone, 539 00:34:37,841 --> 00:34:41,681 Speaker 2: younger maybe someone in the, family someone they, knew someone 540 00:34:41,681 --> 00:34:44,440 Speaker 2: else who rode the bus with those. Kids, Again i'm 541 00:34:44,440 --> 00:34:47,440 Speaker 2: not accusing anyone of. Anything i'm just trying to understand 542 00:34:47,440 --> 00:34:50,881 Speaker 2: the family connections and how this all fits, together because 543 00:34:51,401 --> 00:34:55,241 Speaker 2: on the, Surface amy pointed out that it does seem 544 00:34:55,281 --> 00:34:57,361 Speaker 2: Like robbie And sander's house would be kind of a 545 00:34:57,361 --> 00:34:59,601 Speaker 2: weird one to target if you wanted to steal. Anything 546 00:35:00,401 --> 00:35:02,560 Speaker 2: robbie was a turtle. Hunter it's not like he had 547 00:35:02,601 --> 00:35:04,201 Speaker 2: anything of any real value in. 548 00:35:04,281 --> 00:35:10,040 Speaker 3: There why they thought that a house OF i don't 549 00:35:10,041 --> 00:35:11,841 Speaker 3: know how many KIDS i had at the, time five or, 550 00:35:11,881 --> 00:35:15,761 Speaker 3: six with the man who made his living off of 551 00:35:16,361 --> 00:35:20,721 Speaker 3: shell diving and turtle, TURTLING i guess would be the 552 00:35:20,761 --> 00:35:25,201 Speaker 3: house to ROB i don't. Know AND i feel like 553 00:35:26,081 --> 00:35:27,921 Speaker 3: IF i would have been a sixteen year old kid 554 00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:33,161 Speaker 3: looking at you, know Because arkansas was trying kids at 555 00:35:33,161 --> 00:35:36,601 Speaker 3: that time for as adults and you, know seeking the 556 00:35:36,641 --> 00:35:40,761 Speaker 3: nest salty FOR i feel like they would have sang 557 00:35:40,881 --> 00:35:45,440 Speaker 3: like a canary if they had anything on. HIM i 558 00:35:45,481 --> 00:35:48,921 Speaker 3: just don't feel like they were like harden thugs that were, 559 00:35:48,960 --> 00:35:55,201 Speaker 3: gonna you, know go away for. Him but, no her family, 560 00:35:55,281 --> 00:35:58,601 Speaker 3: says her family for a long time just swore he was, 561 00:35:58,641 --> 00:36:01,281 Speaker 3: involved and so they didn't have much to do With, 562 00:36:01,801 --> 00:36:06,401 Speaker 3: robbie My robbie growing, up or any of the, kids 563 00:36:06,440 --> 00:36:09,600 Speaker 3: because you, know they all thought as daddy killed his 564 00:36:09,641 --> 00:36:13,161 Speaker 3: mom or had something to do with. It it's been 565 00:36:13,281 --> 00:36:17,121 Speaker 3: so hard for your. Husband, yeah he's had a real tough. 566 00:36:17,201 --> 00:36:22,960 Speaker 2: Life Robbie tubbs gave a statement to police and he 567 00:36:23,041 --> 00:36:26,480 Speaker 2: was completely cleared of any involvement in the. SHOOTING i 568 00:36:26,521 --> 00:36:28,881 Speaker 2: did read his, statement AND i did find just a 569 00:36:28,881 --> 00:36:31,121 Speaker 2: couple of THINGS i wanted to flag up BECAUSE i 570 00:36:31,161 --> 00:36:34,561 Speaker 2: thought they were a little bit, inconsistent mostly related to. 571 00:36:34,681 --> 00:36:38,201 Speaker 2: Timing robbie said in his statement to police that he 572 00:36:38,321 --> 00:36:41,040 Speaker 2: left the house at around seven. Fifteen he said he 573 00:36:41,121 --> 00:36:44,081 Speaker 2: went straight to a nearby body of, water out on 574 00:36:44,121 --> 00:36:46,841 Speaker 2: the water for around thirty five minutes or. So then 575 00:36:46,881 --> 00:36:49,681 Speaker 2: he pulled his nets in and saw a neighbor of 576 00:36:49,721 --> 00:36:54,480 Speaker 2: his he knew Named. Danny robbie said, quote he was 577 00:36:54,481 --> 00:36:56,401 Speaker 2: fixing to go out and get some trout, lines AND 578 00:36:56,440 --> 00:36:58,160 Speaker 2: i asked him what time it was SO i would 579 00:36:58,161 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 2: know if he was going to be free to show 580 00:36:59,641 --> 00:37:02,561 Speaker 2: me some places to put my nets. Out he said 581 00:37:02,641 --> 00:37:05,241 Speaker 2: it's eight thirty as he was walking. OFF i have 582 00:37:05,321 --> 00:37:07,881 Speaker 2: a bad habit of asking people what time it. Is end. 583 00:37:07,921 --> 00:37:11,081 Speaker 2: Quote this is a little bit of a weird, comment 584 00:37:11,561 --> 00:37:13,921 Speaker 2: but then, AGAIN i don't. Know it might have made 585 00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:16,801 Speaker 2: sense in that. Context remember this was back in the early. 586 00:37:16,881 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 2: Nineties this is a time before cell. Phones people did 587 00:37:20,161 --> 00:37:22,881 Speaker 2: ask other people if they noticed that person was wearing 588 00:37:22,921 --> 00:37:25,801 Speaker 2: watches what time it. Was it was a. Thing we 589 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:28,881 Speaker 2: always have to be open minded and consider every. Possibility 590 00:37:29,761 --> 00:37:33,641 Speaker 2: but if that timeline's, correct that puts us at around 591 00:37:33,681 --> 00:37:36,960 Speaker 2: eight thirty or eight thirty, Five robbie. Said after that, 592 00:37:37,081 --> 00:37:40,081 Speaker 2: conversation he left his Friend. Danny he went back to 593 00:37:40,121 --> 00:37:42,960 Speaker 2: his house and was messing around with the turtlenets when 594 00:37:43,001 --> 00:37:45,441 Speaker 2: he noticed that the dogs were freaking out and. Barking 595 00:37:46,041 --> 00:37:47,921 Speaker 2: he went to the house through the back. Door he 596 00:37:47,960 --> 00:37:50,361 Speaker 2: saw the paint, Can he saw his son sleeping on the. 597 00:37:50,361 --> 00:37:53,681 Speaker 2: Floor then he, said he went out the front he 598 00:37:53,721 --> 00:37:57,200 Speaker 2: was looking For. Sandra that's when he Saw sandra lying. 599 00:37:57,241 --> 00:37:58,081 Speaker 3: There he. 600 00:37:58,121 --> 00:38:00,560 Speaker 2: Said he turned her over just enough to realize there 601 00:38:00,601 --> 00:38:03,120 Speaker 2: was a hole in her. Chest then he went back 602 00:38:03,161 --> 00:38:05,721 Speaker 2: in the, house saw that his son was, there checked on, 603 00:38:05,801 --> 00:38:10,120 Speaker 2: him and then ran to the. Neighbors robbie said after 604 00:38:10,161 --> 00:38:13,440 Speaker 2: that he went To danny's, house Saw danny's, wife and 605 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:17,480 Speaker 2: That danny's wife called nine one. One, Then robbie said 606 00:38:17,521 --> 00:38:19,321 Speaker 2: he went back home and by the time he got, 607 00:38:19,321 --> 00:38:22,801 Speaker 2: There danny was arriving there. Too they both went out 608 00:38:22,960 --> 00:38:26,921 Speaker 2: and looked At sandra's. Body, Remember robbie had said he 609 00:38:27,001 --> 00:38:29,161 Speaker 2: made a point of asking his friend what time it 610 00:38:29,361 --> 00:38:31,721 Speaker 2: was right after he left his house and went down 611 00:38:31,761 --> 00:38:34,841 Speaker 2: to deal with The. Turtlenets he said That danny had 612 00:38:34,841 --> 00:38:37,761 Speaker 2: said it was eight thirty and that supposedly happened before 613 00:38:37,881 --> 00:38:40,081 Speaker 2: he went back to the house and Found sandra's. Body 614 00:38:41,561 --> 00:38:44,881 Speaker 2: danny's story to police was. Similar he told, police, yes 615 00:38:44,921 --> 00:38:47,841 Speaker 2: he had Seen robbie that, morning but he said the 616 00:38:47,841 --> 00:38:52,000 Speaker 2: conversation about time happened after all. This, so after they 617 00:38:52,041 --> 00:38:56,521 Speaker 2: had their initial, Conversation robbie left to go. Home danny 618 00:38:56,761 --> 00:38:58,921 Speaker 2: got home and found out that his wife had called 619 00:38:58,960 --> 00:39:02,121 Speaker 2: nine one. One he rushes over To robbie And sandra's 620 00:39:02,121 --> 00:39:05,281 Speaker 2: house finds the. Body after all, that he said they 621 00:39:05,281 --> 00:39:07,801 Speaker 2: had a conversation about, time and at that time he 622 00:39:07,801 --> 00:39:10,921 Speaker 2: said it was eight thirty. Five, again we don't have a. 623 00:39:10,960 --> 00:39:13,961 Speaker 2: Recording this could have been a misunderstanding by a police. 624 00:39:13,960 --> 00:39:17,721 Speaker 2: OFFICER i don't, know but Obviously i'm super sensitive to 625 00:39:17,761 --> 00:39:22,641 Speaker 2: anything involving the timeline and police also talked to someone, 626 00:39:22,681 --> 00:39:26,120 Speaker 2: else the stepfather of one of the murder. Suspects now 627 00:39:26,121 --> 00:39:29,000 Speaker 2: their family lived, nearby and the stepfather said he heard 628 00:39:29,041 --> 00:39:33,121 Speaker 2: a single shot, earlier at around seven thirty. Am of, 629 00:39:33,161 --> 00:39:35,520 Speaker 2: course the part of my brain that's always thinking about 630 00:39:35,561 --> 00:39:38,200 Speaker 2: albis and how people try to build alibis to fill 631 00:39:38,201 --> 00:39:41,521 Speaker 2: in timeline to their. Advantage i'm thinking if the shooting 632 00:39:41,601 --> 00:39:45,761 Speaker 2: started closer to the time the bus left that, morning 633 00:39:47,121 --> 00:39:49,921 Speaker 2: that could explain Why robbie might have wanted to make 634 00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:52,321 Speaker 2: it seem like he was definitely out of the house 635 00:39:52,361 --> 00:39:53,801 Speaker 2: and had been out of the house for a while 636 00:39:53,801 --> 00:39:57,921 Speaker 2: when that went. Down either, way, though the timeline does 637 00:39:57,960 --> 00:40:01,440 Speaker 2: seem to check out without minor. Inconsistency he left home 638 00:40:01,521 --> 00:40:04,281 Speaker 2: according to, him and according to the, suspects he was 639 00:40:04,361 --> 00:40:06,881 Speaker 2: gone by the time they got. There it's also a 640 00:40:06,881 --> 00:40:09,121 Speaker 2: little weird to me that When robbie went back to 641 00:40:09,161 --> 00:40:11,121 Speaker 2: the house and saw his wife lying there with a 642 00:40:11,161 --> 00:40:13,480 Speaker 2: hole in her, chest he checked to see if his 643 00:40:13,521 --> 00:40:15,841 Speaker 2: son was. There saw him, sleeping and then left his 644 00:40:15,881 --> 00:40:18,601 Speaker 2: son behind to go to the neighbor's, house because how 645 00:40:18,601 --> 00:40:21,201 Speaker 2: would he know that the killer wasn't still, there, which 646 00:40:21,241 --> 00:40:23,960 Speaker 2: as it turned, out they were they were hanging out 647 00:40:24,041 --> 00:40:27,641 Speaker 2: in those woods. Still but also that could have just been. 648 00:40:27,681 --> 00:40:31,520 Speaker 2: Shocked robbie said he And sandra had not had any 649 00:40:31,521 --> 00:40:33,601 Speaker 2: problems in their. Marriage they had been getting along great 650 00:40:33,641 --> 00:40:35,841 Speaker 2: for the last year or. So they had had a 651 00:40:35,881 --> 00:40:39,561 Speaker 2: super happy. Marriage, now they did go through good, times 652 00:40:39,801 --> 00:40:42,841 Speaker 2: And i'm sure they were happy at, times but this 653 00:40:42,960 --> 00:40:47,000 Speaker 2: does also tredict what we heard About robbie, earlier that 654 00:40:47,081 --> 00:40:50,561 Speaker 2: he had abused his wife in the. End, Though amy 655 00:40:50,641 --> 00:40:53,960 Speaker 2: pointed out something That i've, considered which is that these 656 00:40:54,001 --> 00:40:57,881 Speaker 2: teens were not trained, assassins and they were really scared 657 00:40:57,921 --> 00:41:01,361 Speaker 2: when they talked to. Police so if someone else had 658 00:41:01,440 --> 00:41:04,520 Speaker 2: influenced them to do this, killing it seems like they 659 00:41:04,561 --> 00:41:07,521 Speaker 2: would have had no hesitation in turning On Robbie tubbs 660 00:41:07,641 --> 00:41:10,721 Speaker 2: if he in fact masterminded this, shooting but they. DIDN'T 661 00:41:11,521 --> 00:41:13,921 Speaker 2: i do want to talk to these, guys, though because 662 00:41:14,401 --> 00:41:18,680 Speaker 2: On Chad kaplaner's, statement the officer who interviewed him did 663 00:41:18,721 --> 00:41:22,480 Speaker 2: not record the. Conversation, instead he just typed up and 664 00:41:22,521 --> 00:41:25,960 Speaker 2: paraphrased What chad had. Said he noted That chad was 665 00:41:26,041 --> 00:41:28,881 Speaker 2: handcuffed and unable to sign the consent, form saying he 666 00:41:28,921 --> 00:41:33,241 Speaker 2: was aware of his. Rights this to me IS i 667 00:41:33,281 --> 00:41:35,401 Speaker 2: don't want to say, shady but not good. Practice and 668 00:41:35,440 --> 00:41:37,361 Speaker 2: it happened in way too many cases back in the. 669 00:41:37,401 --> 00:41:40,401 Speaker 2: Day we have no idea how long the interview went, 670 00:41:40,440 --> 00:41:43,001 Speaker 2: on if they offered him a. Break what the officer 671 00:41:43,081 --> 00:41:45,480 Speaker 2: said to these young, men that's a big problem for. 672 00:41:45,561 --> 00:41:48,801 Speaker 2: Me in the, End Jerry Lee ray was sentenced to 673 00:41:48,841 --> 00:41:53,721 Speaker 2: twenty years in, Prison Chad kaplaner got sixteen. Years after 674 00:41:53,761 --> 00:41:57,000 Speaker 2: serving their, time they were released and as far AS i, 675 00:41:57,081 --> 00:42:01,081 Speaker 2: know they are free men. Today, meanwhile The Christina pipkin 676 00:42:01,201 --> 00:42:06,321 Speaker 2: case went, cold especially After sanders. Murder police Suspected Robbie, 677 00:42:06,321 --> 00:42:10,121 Speaker 2: tubbs but there was no physical evidence against. Him but 678 00:42:10,440 --> 00:42:15,001 Speaker 2: by nineteen ninety nine technology for testing physical evidence had advanced. 679 00:42:15,001 --> 00:42:19,401 Speaker 2: Considerably police still had that hair From robbie's former car 680 00:42:19,641 --> 00:42:24,161 Speaker 2: THAN Amc. Eagle they sent it for further forensic testing 681 00:42:24,681 --> 00:42:27,481 Speaker 2: and they announced they had a match that the hair 682 00:42:27,521 --> 00:42:31,161 Speaker 2: that was found Inside Robbie tubb's abandoned car was a 683 00:42:31,241 --> 00:42:40,881 Speaker 2: match To Christina. Pipkin in nineteen ninety, Nine Robbie Dale 684 00:42:40,881 --> 00:42:45,281 Speaker 2: tubbs was arrested in charge With Christina pipkins. Murder prosecutors 685 00:42:45,321 --> 00:42:49,281 Speaker 2: said they were seeking the death. Penalty the trial started 686 00:42:49,321 --> 00:42:52,561 Speaker 2: out in a pretty shocking, manner and it just turned 687 00:42:52,561 --> 00:42:57,561 Speaker 2: into one shocking twist after. Another, first the judge ruled 688 00:42:57,601 --> 00:43:01,041 Speaker 2: That sandra's statement she had made to police About robbie 689 00:43:01,081 --> 00:43:03,841 Speaker 2: allegedly making statements to her about what happened To Christina. 690 00:43:03,841 --> 00:43:07,641 Speaker 2: Pipkin the judge ruled that those were, inadmissible and Obviously 691 00:43:08,041 --> 00:43:13,080 Speaker 2: sandra was, dead so even, posthumously the jury would never 692 00:43:13,121 --> 00:43:17,921 Speaker 2: hear From Sandra. Tubbs the, Prosecutor Fletcher long, said, Quote, 693 00:43:18,440 --> 00:43:20,801 Speaker 2: man we'd be walking and talking if she was alive. 694 00:43:20,841 --> 00:43:23,520 Speaker 2: Today if we had, that we'd knock those jurors. Dead 695 00:43:23,841 --> 00:43:27,080 Speaker 2: but there's no sense crying over spilt milt end. Quote 696 00:43:27,281 --> 00:43:29,361 Speaker 2: just a little side. Note i've noticed that a lot 697 00:43:29,440 --> 00:43:34,201 Speaker 2: of these colloquial, prosecutors especially In, arkansas have some very colorful. 698 00:43:34,241 --> 00:43:37,480 Speaker 2: Comments BUT i don't know IF i agree with his, 699 00:43:37,561 --> 00:43:41,000 Speaker 2: comment because there were some problems With sandra's STATEMENT i 700 00:43:41,081 --> 00:43:44,481 Speaker 2: found out WHEN i was Investigating Rebecca gould's, case and many. Others, 701 00:43:45,001 --> 00:43:47,801 Speaker 2: unfortunately there are a lot of women whose husbands are 702 00:43:47,881 --> 00:43:51,721 Speaker 2: abusive and, violent a lot of women who suspect that 703 00:43:51,841 --> 00:43:56,520 Speaker 2: their partner might have been responsible for a. Murder it's 704 00:43:56,521 --> 00:43:59,921 Speaker 2: actually shocking how many violent people are out, there and 705 00:43:59,960 --> 00:44:03,441 Speaker 2: how many, people men and, women are victims of intimate partner. 706 00:44:03,561 --> 00:44:07,361 Speaker 2: VIOLENCE i would be wary of the, statement not BECAUSE 707 00:44:07,361 --> 00:44:09,841 Speaker 2: i don't believe. IT i believe That sandra did hear 708 00:44:09,960 --> 00:44:12,001 Speaker 2: him say, that AND i believe she did tell her friend, 709 00:44:12,001 --> 00:44:14,761 Speaker 2: That BUT i would be wary of the statement because 710 00:44:15,440 --> 00:44:19,201 Speaker 2: without seeing exactly what he told her and what the context, 711 00:44:19,321 --> 00:44:22,721 Speaker 2: was there's nothing specific to the crime in that. Statement 712 00:44:22,881 --> 00:44:26,321 Speaker 2: just saying That christina was drowned in a rice stitch 713 00:44:26,481 --> 00:44:30,121 Speaker 2: is not, enough in my, opinion to charge someone with capital. Murder, 714 00:44:30,601 --> 00:44:35,081 Speaker 2: now the fact That robbie Tied sandra up and threatened 715 00:44:35,081 --> 00:44:38,601 Speaker 2: her would seem to make this much more compelling and potentially. 716 00:44:38,681 --> 00:44:42,121 Speaker 2: Dangerous but, again we need to know more about what 717 00:44:42,201 --> 00:44:45,161 Speaker 2: the actual conversation was Between robbie And. Sander we need 718 00:44:45,161 --> 00:44:48,441 Speaker 2: to know what she told the. Police Sandra tubbs case 719 00:44:48,481 --> 00:44:52,520 Speaker 2: file now should be open because the murder was. Prosecuted 720 00:44:53,161 --> 00:44:55,480 Speaker 2: i've Done foyer request for it AND i will keep you. 721 00:44:55,561 --> 00:45:00,441 Speaker 2: Posted but even Without Sandra tubbs's, statement the, Prosecutor Fletcher 722 00:45:00,481 --> 00:45:03,321 Speaker 2: long felt pretty confident because he had this forensic. Evidence 723 00:45:03,721 --> 00:45:06,321 Speaker 2: he had the hair From robbie's former vehicle that was 724 00:45:06,361 --> 00:45:09,401 Speaker 2: a match To Christina pipkins's, hair which brings me to 725 00:45:09,440 --> 00:45:14,881 Speaker 2: the next shocking. Twist Robbie tubb's family got him an, 726 00:45:14,921 --> 00:45:18,601 Speaker 2: attorney and according To, amy they got him an expensive. 727 00:45:18,641 --> 00:45:21,480 Speaker 2: Attorney they took out a second mortgage so that they 728 00:45:21,481 --> 00:45:25,161 Speaker 2: could pay for the defense Attorney Martin, lilly And Martin 729 00:45:25,201 --> 00:45:28,801 Speaker 2: lilly had questions about that forensic. Testing what he said 730 00:45:28,801 --> 00:45:30,801 Speaker 2: in court was he believed there had been a mix 731 00:45:30,881 --> 00:45:34,201 Speaker 2: up at the. Lab he believed that the scientist had 732 00:45:34,241 --> 00:45:38,481 Speaker 2: accidentally compared two samples that were taken From christina's body 733 00:45:38,601 --> 00:45:42,520 Speaker 2: to each other and not to the hair found in the. 734 00:45:42,561 --> 00:45:48,201 Speaker 2: Car Martin lily put THE fbi Investigator John, hazen who 735 00:45:48,241 --> 00:45:50,921 Speaker 2: was in charge of shipping the evidence from The arkansas 736 00:45:50,921 --> 00:45:53,881 Speaker 2: Crime lab to THE fbi lab In, quantico on the, 737 00:45:53,881 --> 00:45:57,841 Speaker 2: stand and to cut a long story, short it's pretty, 738 00:45:57,881 --> 00:46:00,601 Speaker 2: technical but it appears there was a difference in labeling 739 00:46:00,641 --> 00:46:02,960 Speaker 2: between the state crime lab and THE fbi lab and 740 00:46:03,001 --> 00:46:07,641 Speaker 2: that's where the problem. Began THE fbi lab In quantico 741 00:46:07,841 --> 00:46:10,761 Speaker 2: labeled the hair differently than The Arkansas state Crime. Lab 742 00:46:11,721 --> 00:46:14,441 Speaker 2: John hazen admitted that there might have been a. MISTAKE 743 00:46:17,601 --> 00:46:20,081 Speaker 2: i have such a hard time believing that's even. Possible 744 00:46:20,121 --> 00:46:23,520 Speaker 2: how could you compare two identical hairs to each other 745 00:46:23,641 --> 00:46:26,801 Speaker 2: and not realize they came from the same. Person even back, 746 00:46:26,841 --> 00:46:31,921 Speaker 2: Then Fletcher long said that there might be a difference in, 747 00:46:32,001 --> 00:46:35,721 Speaker 2: labeling but that it was not a fundamental. Mistake Martin lily. 748 00:46:35,881 --> 00:46:39,361 Speaker 2: Disagreed he insisted the two hairs that were sent to 749 00:46:39,361 --> 00:46:42,721 Speaker 2: the crime lab were not one From Robbie tubb's car 750 00:46:42,761 --> 00:46:45,960 Speaker 2: and one from Christ Sina pipkins's. Body he said they 751 00:46:46,001 --> 00:46:49,801 Speaker 2: accidentally sent two samples From christina's, body which of course 752 00:46:50,041 --> 00:46:52,201 Speaker 2: were a match because they came off the same. Person 753 00:46:53,801 --> 00:46:58,401 Speaker 2: lily said in, court, quote it'll blow this case wide, 754 00:46:58,440 --> 00:47:02,081 Speaker 2: open end. Quote and it. Did it all boiled down 755 00:47:02,161 --> 00:47:05,321 Speaker 2: to that. Hair that strand of hair was going to 756 00:47:05,401 --> 00:47:09,761 Speaker 2: decide the entire. Case in the, End Fletcher long admitted 757 00:47:09,801 --> 00:47:12,801 Speaker 2: there had been a fundamental mistake made and that the 758 00:47:12,841 --> 00:47:15,881 Speaker 2: two hairs taken From Christina pipkins's body were compared with 759 00:47:15,960 --> 00:47:18,361 Speaker 2: each other and not with the hair From Robbie tubbs's. 760 00:47:18,440 --> 00:47:22,241 Speaker 2: Car so what happened to the hair From Robbie tubbs's, Car, 761 00:47:22,401 --> 00:47:25,801 Speaker 2: well it had not been. Tested it was still sealed 762 00:47:25,921 --> 00:47:30,040 Speaker 2: sitting in an evidence bag at the crime. Lab this 763 00:47:30,361 --> 00:47:33,121 Speaker 2: was a shock in the. Courtroom the judge ordered to 764 00:47:33,201 --> 00:47:36,040 Speaker 2: pause in the, case and the judge Gave Fletcher long 765 00:47:36,121 --> 00:47:39,600 Speaker 2: and the prosecutors two months to get the testing done 766 00:47:39,641 --> 00:47:43,681 Speaker 2: on the correct. Hair but when they sent the hair 767 00:47:43,801 --> 00:47:46,480 Speaker 2: that had been found In robbie's car to THE fbi crime, 768 00:47:46,601 --> 00:47:49,160 Speaker 2: lab THE fbi came back with bad. News they said 769 00:47:49,161 --> 00:47:51,401 Speaker 2: there just was not enough genetic material on it to 770 00:47:51,440 --> 00:47:56,881 Speaker 2: do the, testing so the prosecutors had. Nothing Robbie tubbs 771 00:47:56,960 --> 00:48:01,121 Speaker 2: was set. Free this case was no lely, prossed meaning 772 00:48:01,161 --> 00:48:04,881 Speaker 2: that they dropped the charges Against Robbie tubbs because of insufficient. 773 00:48:04,921 --> 00:48:09,281 Speaker 2: Evidence but at least according to my, understanding if new 774 00:48:09,321 --> 00:48:11,440 Speaker 2: evidence ever came to, light he could be. 775 00:48:11,521 --> 00:48:16,361 Speaker 4: RETRIED i Think arkansas in general is a very and 776 00:48:16,440 --> 00:48:18,560 Speaker 4: maybe the Entire United states is very. 777 00:48:18,561 --> 00:48:22,121 Speaker 3: Corrupt i'm thankful That i've never been. 778 00:48:22,201 --> 00:48:27,520 Speaker 4: Arrested and That i'm not a poor, person BUT i, 779 00:48:27,521 --> 00:48:31,241 Speaker 4: MEAN i COULDN'T i couldn't afford a high dollar defense. 780 00:48:31,281 --> 00:48:35,761 Speaker 4: Attorney the only reason he was. ABLE i firmly believe 781 00:48:35,761 --> 00:48:38,040 Speaker 4: the only reason he's not on death row right now 782 00:48:38,881 --> 00:48:42,041 Speaker 4: is because his mom and dad put a second mortgage 783 00:48:42,041 --> 00:48:46,680 Speaker 4: on their home and that, lawyer because he was dirt 784 00:48:46,721 --> 00:48:50,960 Speaker 4: for you, know average maybe below, average white. GUY i 785 00:48:51,001 --> 00:48:54,160 Speaker 4: think they would have real roaded him and never even 786 00:48:54,201 --> 00:48:54,561 Speaker 4: seen it. 787 00:48:54,601 --> 00:49:00,921 Speaker 2: Coming after all, That Robbie tubbs eventually left the. Area 788 00:49:01,721 --> 00:49:05,000 Speaker 2: he ended up In, missouri and in twenty thirteen he 789 00:49:05,041 --> 00:49:08,600 Speaker 2: made headlines. Again The Tulsa world reported he was part 790 00:49:08,641 --> 00:49:11,841 Speaker 2: of a crime ring that was illegally trafficking paddlefish. Eggs 791 00:49:12,841 --> 00:49:15,960 Speaker 2: The Tulsa world reported That robbie seemed surprised when he 792 00:49:16,001 --> 00:49:19,480 Speaker 2: got charged with this federal crime Because robbie apparently thought 793 00:49:19,481 --> 00:49:22,281 Speaker 2: he would just get a. Ticket according to THE Us 794 00:49:22,361 --> 00:49:26,601 Speaker 2: Attorney's office In, Tulsa robbie pleaded. Guilty he was sentenced 795 00:49:26,601 --> 00:49:28,561 Speaker 2: to six months in, prison and after that he was. 796 00:49:28,641 --> 00:49:32,681 Speaker 2: Released amy AND i have both filed multiple freedom of information, 797 00:49:32,721 --> 00:49:36,040 Speaker 2: requests but it's becoming clear that a lot of the 798 00:49:36,081 --> 00:49:39,361 Speaker 2: answers to this case are In. Arkansas we need to 799 00:49:39,401 --> 00:49:42,480 Speaker 2: answer several. Questions first of, all we need to know 800 00:49:42,561 --> 00:49:45,881 Speaker 2: exactly How Christina pipkin would have had to walk to 801 00:49:45,881 --> 00:49:49,000 Speaker 2: get to that, ditch and was it plausible for her 802 00:49:49,001 --> 00:49:51,520 Speaker 2: to walk that distance on her. Own in addition to 803 00:49:51,561 --> 00:49:54,520 Speaker 2: figuring out her exact, route we need to talk to 804 00:49:54,561 --> 00:49:57,120 Speaker 2: people who were in the neighborhood at the. Time we're 805 00:49:57,161 --> 00:49:59,601 Speaker 2: going to investigate a couple of other people of interest 806 00:49:59,921 --> 00:50:03,921 Speaker 2: who were questioned but apparently never. CHARGED i would also 807 00:50:04,041 --> 00:50:07,201 Speaker 2: really like to talk To Robbie. TUBBS i have no 808 00:50:07,321 --> 00:50:09,881 Speaker 2: idea if he'll talk to. Me amy tells me he 809 00:50:09,921 --> 00:50:11,960 Speaker 2: lives out in the middle of. NOWHERE i Guess i'm 810 00:50:12,001 --> 00:50:15,681 Speaker 2: going to find. Out this case terrified me and kept 811 00:50:15,721 --> 00:50:18,520 Speaker 2: me up at night for a couple of. Reasons first of, 812 00:50:18,561 --> 00:50:22,201 Speaker 2: all it's horrifying that someone could be almost sentenced to 813 00:50:22,281 --> 00:50:25,721 Speaker 2: death based on such a little, evidence evidence, that as 814 00:50:25,721 --> 00:50:29,921 Speaker 2: it turns, out wasn't even. Real it was literally one huge, mistake, 815 00:50:30,081 --> 00:50:34,000 Speaker 2: and As amy pointed, out one that probably never would 816 00:50:34,001 --> 00:50:36,921 Speaker 2: have been discovered if the defendant had not been able 817 00:50:36,960 --> 00:50:40,801 Speaker 2: to afford a pricey. Lawyer so how many other cases 818 00:50:40,801 --> 00:50:44,321 Speaker 2: out there have potentially the wrong people behind bars based 819 00:50:44,361 --> 00:50:49,681 Speaker 2: on such catastrophic? Errors and, also in these cases where 820 00:50:49,721 --> 00:50:52,361 Speaker 2: no one is ever successfully prosecuted or where the wrong 821 00:50:52,440 --> 00:50:56,161 Speaker 2: person is potentially in. Prison how many other killers are 822 00:50:56,161 --> 00:50:59,560 Speaker 2: out there walking. Free we're going to try to dive 823 00:50:59,601 --> 00:51:03,681 Speaker 2: into the other mysterious Deaths Guardina Cross jones And Geneva. 824 00:51:03,721 --> 00:51:06,000 Speaker 2: Smith we're going to try to see if we can 825 00:51:06,041 --> 00:51:09,401 Speaker 2: get any answers about what happened to those children and 826 00:51:09,481 --> 00:51:11,841 Speaker 2: to see if there is a child killer still out 827 00:51:11,841 --> 00:51:17,241 Speaker 2: there Stalking East. Arkansas so once, Again i'm on my 828 00:51:17,281 --> 00:51:23,001 Speaker 2: way To. Arkansas I'm Catherine. Townsend this Is Helen Gone Murder. 829 00:51:23,041 --> 00:51:30,081 Speaker 2: Line Helen Gone Murder line is a production Of school 830 00:51:30,081 --> 00:51:33,121 Speaker 2: Of humans And iHeart. Podcasts it's written and narrated by 831 00:51:33,201 --> 00:51:37,241 Speaker 2: Me Catherine townsend and produced By Gabby. Watts music contributed 832 00:51:37,241 --> 00:51:41,281 Speaker 2: By Ben, Sale executive producers Of Virginia, Prescott Brandon, barr 833 00:51:41,281 --> 00:51:44,281 Speaker 2: And Elsie. Crowley if you have a case you'd like 834 00:51:44,361 --> 00:51:46,480 Speaker 2: me and my team to look, into you can reach 835 00:51:46,481 --> 00:51:48,560 Speaker 2: out to us at Our Helen Gone Murder line at 836 00:51:48,641 --> 00:51:52,000 Speaker 2: six seven eight seven four four six one four. Five 837 00:51:52,601 --> 00:51:56,041 Speaker 2: that's six seven eight seven four, four six one four or. 838 00:51:56,081 --> 00:52:00,000 Speaker 2: Five please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you 839 00:52:00,081 --> 00:52:08,881 Speaker 2: listen to your. Podcasts school Of humans