1
00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,960
Speaker 1: Does LA have another serial killer. Until the death of

2
00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:11,800
Speaker 1: former NFL star Kevin Johnson, nobody paid much attention to

3
00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,600
Speaker 1: a string of murders taking place in the Compton Creek

4
00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:18,000
Speaker 1: area of Los Angeles. The notorious camp along the La

5
00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:21,320
Speaker 1: River is known for being dangerous, but the homeless population

6
00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,200
Speaker 1: being what it is around LA, many people will stay

7
00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:26,840
Speaker 1: wherever they can, which is how fifty five year old

8
00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:30,040
Speaker 1: Kevin Johnson found the camp. A fourth round draft pick

9
00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:33,199
Speaker 1: of the New England Patriots in nineteen ninety three, Johnson

10
00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:35,559
Speaker 1: spent three years in the NFL in the mid nineties

11
00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,920
Speaker 1: for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, then four years

12
00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:43,159
Speaker 1: in Arena Football before hanging up his cleats. Johnson's son, Brandon,

13
00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,800
Speaker 1: is speaking out about his father's death, suggesting health issues

14
00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:51,000
Speaker 1: have plugged the former athlete, possibly contributing to his housing instability.

15
00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:53,920
Speaker 1: Brandon says his father found the homeless encampmen in the

16
00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:57,160
Speaker 1: Willowbrook area along the La River south of LA about

17
00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:00,480
Speaker 1: six months before his murder. Johnson was found dead in

18
00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,720
Speaker 1: the encampment on January twenty first, with stab wounds and

19
00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:07,320
Speaker 1: what the Sheriff's Department described as head trauma. The camp

20
00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,360
Speaker 1: is now tied to at least three other murders, and

21
00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,680
Speaker 1: it's possible the same person is behind all four killings.

22
00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,440
Speaker 1: On October fifth, fifty two year old Michelle Steele, shot

23
00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:19,920
Speaker 1: in the head, dies a month later in the hospital,

24
00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:24,600
Speaker 1: Shortly after the death of Steel. On December fourth, Octavio Arius,

25
00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:28,240
Speaker 1: also fifty two, beaten to death, and just last week,

26
00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:32,160
Speaker 1: Moro Alfaro, a man in his mid fifties, bludgeon to death.

27
00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,600
Speaker 1: The medical examiner ruled the death of Kevin Johnson a

28
00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:40,080
Speaker 1: homicide from blunt head trauma and stab wounds. Johnson's son, Brandon,

29
00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:44,160
Speaker 1: helped investigators identify his father's body at the scene. Describing

30
00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:47,199
Speaker 1: his father as his best friend, Brandon says his dad

31
00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:50,320
Speaker 1: was a loving, gentle person. It's not clear why the

32
00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,520
Speaker 1: former defensive lineman, who once played at the elite level

33
00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:56,120
Speaker 1: of sport in the NFL, was out on the streets,

34
00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:00,800
Speaker 1: but friends suggested he was suffering from CTE, generative brain

35
00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:05,280
Speaker 1: disease associated with repeated head trauma. Johnson's ex wife, Chantel Hill,

36
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,160
Speaker 1: says of her former husband, he wasn't the type of

37
00:02:08,160 --> 00:02:10,720
Speaker 1: person that would touch a fly. He had no anger

38
00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:14,040
Speaker 1: in his heart, no evil that just was not him.

39
00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:18,880
Speaker 1: Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the Gillings.

40
00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:20,800
Speaker 2: More crime and justice news. After this.

41
00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:33,320
Speaker 3: Slight, graphic footage depicting the murder of conservative activist Charlie

42
00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:37,280
Speaker 3: Kirk during his speech at a Utah college campus quickly

43
00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:41,520
Speaker 3: gained widespread attention online, racking up millions of views.

44
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,720
Speaker 4: On Tuesday, screenshots from these videos were presented as evidence

45
00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:50,119
Speaker 4: in the murder trial of Tyler Robinson, the man accused

46
00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,680
Speaker 4: of Kirk's death. However, the full video footage was not

47
00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:57,760
Speaker 4: displayed in court due to objections from defense attorneys who

48
00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:01,760
Speaker 4: argued that it could jeopardize Robinson's right to a fair trial.

49
00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:06,000
Speaker 4: Legal experts, including Valerie Hans of the Cornell Law School,

50
00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,880
Speaker 4: affirms that such concerns are valid. They noted that extensive

51
00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:13,760
Speaker 4: media coverage in high profile cases can create a significant

52
00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:18,720
Speaker 4: quote biasing effect on potential jurors. There's a plethora of

53
00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:23,120
Speaker 4: content related to the murder, including videos, images, and analysis

54
00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:27,359
Speaker 4: of how the defendant turned himself in, Hans explained, emphasizing

55
00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:32,200
Speaker 4: that jurors exposed to such media narratives may interpret courtroom

56
00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:36,200
Speaker 4: evidence differently. The defense team is also advocating for the

57
00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:40,840
Speaker 4: exclusion of television and steal cameras from the courtroom, claiming

58
00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:45,080
Speaker 4: that quote highly biased news outlets could influence the case's integrity.

59
00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:50,480
Speaker 4: In contrast, prosecutors, representatives for news organizations, and Kirk's widow

60
00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:54,400
Speaker 4: are urging State District Judge Tony Graft to maintain an

61
00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:59,040
Speaker 4: open courtroom. Erica's attorney expressed concern in a court filing,

62
00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:03,640
Speaker 4: saying with out transparency, there is a risk of speculation, misinformation,

63
00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:07,680
Speaker 4: and conspiracy theories, which could undermine public trust in the

64
00:04:07,760 --> 00:04:12,680
Speaker 4: judicial system. Robinson, twenty two, faces aggravated murder charges in

65
00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,880
Speaker 4: the shooting of Kirk on September ten at the Utah

66
00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,239
Speaker 4: Valley University campus in Orum, with prosecutors planning to pursue

67
00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,240
Speaker 4: the death penalty. He has yet to enter a plea.

68
00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,440
Speaker 4: Approximately three thousand people were present at the outdoor rally,

69
00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:31,440
Speaker 4: where Kirk, a co founder of Turning Point USA, encouraged

70
00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:35,479
Speaker 4: young voters to support President Donald Trump in Utah. Securing

71
00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:40,480
Speaker 4: a death sentence requires prosecutors to prove aggravating factors, such

72
00:04:40,520 --> 00:04:44,760
Speaker 4: as the crime being particularly heinous or atrocious, criteria that

73
00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:49,200
Speaker 4: graphic videos may help establish. Hans noted that viewing the

74
00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:53,440
Speaker 4: footage might lead people to conclude, yes, this was especially

75
00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:58,040
Speaker 4: atrocious or cruel. During the proceedings on Tuesday, Utah County

76
00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,839
Speaker 4: Attorney Jeffrey Gray review that he considered pursuing the death

77
00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:05,080
Speaker 4: penalty even before an arrest was made. He could not

78
00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:08,200
Speaker 4: recall the exact timing of when he informed the governor

79
00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:11,839
Speaker 4: and federal officials of his intention. When questioned about the

80
00:05:11,880 --> 00:05:14,919
Speaker 4: early announcement of his death penalty plans, Gray explained that

81
00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:19,200
Speaker 4: the case had already attracted a significant public interest and

82
00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:23,679
Speaker 4: he wanted to avoid prolonging uncertainty for the widow, Erica Kirk.

83
00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,680
Speaker 4: The judge has yet to make a ruling on these filings.

84
00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:32,160
Speaker 2: I Drew Nelson. Two people are under arrest as a

85
00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:35,440
Speaker 2: multi county search continues in eastern Nebraska for the bodies

86
00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:38,160
Speaker 2: of a missing couple believed to have been killed. Lincoln

87
00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:41,760
Speaker 2: police are searching rural areas of Saunders County near Melmo

88
00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:46,200
Speaker 2: after digital evidence and witness statements led investigators to multiple

89
00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:49,719
Speaker 2: locations of interest. Authorities saved the site, near Highway twenty

90
00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,640
Speaker 2: two and County Road. Are is just one of several

91
00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:57,120
Speaker 2: areas being examined in the homicide investigation. Involving Hannah Neville

92
00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:01,680
Speaker 2: and Roberto Tanner. Investigators was thirty two weeks pregnant when

93
00:06:01,680 --> 00:06:04,760
Speaker 2: she was reported missing more than two weeks ago. Tanner

94
00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:07,719
Speaker 2: was later reported missing in Lincoln. Police say they believe

95
00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:11,039
Speaker 2: the couple is dead. Investigators have not determined whether the

96
00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:14,520
Speaker 2: two victims are together. Lincoln Police say they have searched

97
00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:19,120
Speaker 2: multiple locations across Lancaster and Saunders County since earlier this week.

98
00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:23,359
Speaker 2: Officers were seen walking tree lines, combing open fields, and

99
00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:26,520
Speaker 2: using a drone to survey the area. Police said. Twenty

100
00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:29,640
Speaker 2: four year old Sterling James, Tanner's half brother, is charged

101
00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,880
Speaker 2: with two counts of first degree murder. His wife, Sadie Titus,

102
00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:35,560
Speaker 2: faces two counts of aiding in a bedding. Lincoln Police

103
00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,360
Speaker 2: Lieutenant Dustin Romsseek says the investigation is expanding as new

104
00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,080
Speaker 2: information continues to come in.

105
00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,240
Speaker 5: We're just analyzing a lot of digital evidence as well

106
00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:47,720
Speaker 5: as a lot of people providing tips since the news briefing,

107
00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,400
Speaker 5: and then individuals are just coming forward providing statements to us.

108
00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:55,599
Speaker 5: So we have a lot of different areas and different

109
00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:57,279
Speaker 5: areas of interest other than just here.

110
00:06:57,640 --> 00:06:59,960
Speaker 2: Police say they are still working to determine a mode

111
00:07:00,279 --> 00:07:03,960
Speaker 2: and the location of the initial shooting. Investigators continue to

112
00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,000
Speaker 2: ask anyone with information to contact law enforcement as the

113
00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:08,160
Speaker 2: search remains active.

114
00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:14,640
Speaker 6: I'm Jennifer Gould, a North Carolina veterinary technicians. Act of

115
00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:19,520
Speaker 6: mercy has been twisted into a criminal indictment after she

116
00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:24,920
Speaker 6: rescued an abandoned labradoodle from a lethal snowstorm, only to

117
00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:29,800
Speaker 6: be arrested and fired for her compassion. Jason Garner, a

118
00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:34,000
Speaker 6: groomer and single mom, is completely broken, she says, after

119
00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,920
Speaker 6: the Wilson County Sheriff's Office hit her with a slew

120
00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:42,680
Speaker 6: of charges, including keeping a stray animal, failure to surrender,

121
00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:48,200
Speaker 6: and interfering with law enforcement. Garner spoke to WRL News.

122
00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:48,720
Speaker 4: I'm baffled.

123
00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:51,960
Speaker 2: I'm confused. I have a lot of heart feelings right

124
00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,840
Speaker 2: now because unexpected court calls, unexpected lawyer fees.

125
00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:57,480
Speaker 4: All of this adds up.

126
00:07:57,560 --> 00:08:00,440
Speaker 6: The legal nightmare began on a frigid Saturday, when a

127
00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:05,440
Speaker 6: bomb cyclone buried Wilson, North Carolina, under eleven inches of

128
00:08:05,600 --> 00:08:09,800
Speaker 6: snow and sent the temperatures plunging to a bone chilling

129
00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:14,520
Speaker 6: twenty one degrees. The drama ignited when Garner spotted ring

130
00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:18,080
Speaker 6: doorbell footage of a woman later I did as thirty

131
00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:23,360
Speaker 6: two year old Ashley Barker dumping a matted, terrified labradoodle

132
00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:28,600
Speaker 6: on a stranger's porch before just scurrying away. Recognizing the

133
00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:32,600
Speaker 6: sweet pup would not survive the night, Garner rushed to

134
00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:36,840
Speaker 6: the rescue. While she reported the fine to animal control,

135
00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,640
Speaker 6: she refused their demand to surrender the pooch. As a

136
00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:45,800
Speaker 6: professional vettech, Garner knew the neglected dog quote wouldn't stand

137
00:08:45,840 --> 00:08:49,640
Speaker 6: a chance end quote in a cold shelter environment, and

138
00:08:49,840 --> 00:08:54,360
Speaker 6: chose instead to provide expert care at home. Within twenty

139
00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:59,600
Speaker 6: four hours, Garner bypassed the bureaucracy and reunited the pup

140
00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:02,839
Speaker 6: with its rightful owner, who revealed the dog had been

141
00:09:02,920 --> 00:09:07,600
Speaker 6: missing for two months. But while the alleged dumper, Barker,

142
00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:12,480
Speaker 6: was charged with animal abandonment, authorities turned their sights.

143
00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:13,400
Speaker 4: On the rescuer too.

144
00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:19,680
Speaker 6: Deputies claimed Garner repeatedly dodged calls and defied orders to

145
00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:24,000
Speaker 6: forfeit the dog, leading to her arrest. The fallout has

146
00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:27,719
Speaker 6: been devastating. Garner was fired from her animal clinic and

147
00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:32,439
Speaker 6: Rocky Mount and now faces crippling legal fees. Just as

148
00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:36,920
Speaker 6: she was returning to the workforce. However, despite all the

149
00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:41,360
Speaker 6: dog drama, Garner doesn't regret saving the dog, saying it

150
00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:45,599
Speaker 6: would have died otherwise. The original dog owner also expressed

151
00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:50,200
Speaker 6: deep gratitude for Garner's actions. Garner is due in court

152
00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:54,360
Speaker 6: later in February. Her family started a GoFundMe to help

153
00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:59,200
Speaker 6: cover legal expenses, with a six thousand dollars goal. For

154
00:09:59,240 --> 00:10:01,960
Speaker 6: the latest crime I'm in Justice News. Follow the crime

155
00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,240
Speaker 6: Alert hourly update on your favorite podcast app with this

156
00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,920
Speaker 6: crime Alert. I'm Jennifer Gould.