48 Hours: "She Knew Too Much" – A Detailed Summary
Introduction
In the gripping episode titled "She Knew Too Much," CBS News' award-winning podcast series "48 Hours" delves into the harrowing case of Angela Michelle Lawless, a 19-year-old college student whose brutal murder in 1992 shook the quiet town of Scott County, Missouri. Host Anne-Marie Green meticulously unpacks the complexities of the investigation, the wrongful conviction of Josh Keezer, and the relentless pursuit of justice that spanned over two decades.
The Murder of Michelle Lawless
On the night of November 8, 1992, Michelle Lawless was found dead in her car, brutally beaten and shot at point-blank range. Rick Walter, a 32-year-old part-time deputy sheriff, was the first responder to the scene.
Rick Walter [02:04]: "I was the first responding deputy to the scene that night. There was a lot of blood in her hair. I really thought that she was dead."
Michelle had been approximately half a mile from her residence when discovered. The trauma of that night left many unanswered questions about the motives and identity of her assailant(s).
Initial Investigation and Conviction
The investigation initially focused on Leon Lamb, Michelle's boyfriend, who was the last person to admit seeing her alive. However, lacking concrete evidence against him, attention shifted to Josh Keezer, a 17-year-old from Illinois who had briefly been held in the county jail.
Josh Keezer [04:06]: "I was calling monster. Calling me a killer, calling me a murderer doesn't need to get any worse than that."
Despite Josh's claims of innocence and alibi, jailhouse informants testified that he had confessed to the murder in exchange for leniency. Additionally, a star witness, Chantel Kreider, claimed to recognize Josh as someone who had argued with Michelle at a Halloween party weeks before her death.
Chantel Kreider [unknown timestamp]: "This guy... kept asking me out, and I told him, 'Are you crazy?'"
These testimonies, combined with circumstantial evidence like blood traces on Josh's jacket, led to his conviction for second-degree murder.
Life Behind Bars
Josh Keezer was sentenced to 60 years at the Missouri State Penitentiary, infamously known as "the walls." His time in prison was marred by violence and abuse, leading him to maintain his innocence fervently.
Josh Keezer [22:08]: "There was a point that I got attacked when I was in prison... I prayed for death. I didn't want to wake up."
Despite his claims, Josh served nearly 16 years behind bars before new developments emerged.
Doubts and Reopening the Case
By 2005, Rick Walter had become the sheriff of Scott County and harbored significant doubts about Josh's guilt.
Rick Walter [23:01]: "Talk to the average everyday layperson, and they would tell me the same thing. This kid didn't do it."
Defying standard protocols, Sheriff Walter decided to reopen the closed case, fueling both support and backlash within the community.
An independent investigator, Brandon Cade, was brought in to review the case files. Cade's findings began to unravel the previously "rock solid" case against Josh, revealing inconsistencies and unreliable testimonies.
Brandon Cade [24:00]: "Once you really took and examined it piece by piece... it came apart."
Key revelations included:
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Perjury by Jailhouse Informants: The informants later admitted to lying about Josh's confession.
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Questionable Forensic Evidence: Tests initially claimed to find blood on Josh's jacket were disproven.
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Unreliable Witness Testimony: Mark Abbott, the man who first reported finding Michelle, provided conflicting descriptions of the assailants.
Exoneration and Release
In June 2009, after an exhaustive review, Judge Richard Callahan declared Josh Keezer innocent, ordering his release after 16 years of wrongful incarceration.
Josh Keezer [30:32]: "I let out this just roar. I yelled. I shouted with everything I had in me."
Josh's release was a bittersweet victory. While he regained his freedom, the scars of wrongful imprisonment and the enduring mystery of Michelle's murder lingered.
Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions
Despite Josh's exoneration, Sheriff Walter remains steadfast in his belief that Michelle's killer is still at large.
Rick Walter [31:34]: "I think we've done the right thing and we move on and try to find out who done this."
Key points in the continued investigation include:
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DNA Evidence: Advances in forensic technology led to renewed DNA testing. However, results did not conclusively link any one suspect to the crime.
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Mark and Matt Abbott: Initially suspects due to their involvement in drug-related activities, brothers Mark and Matt Abbott later faced their own legal troubles. DNA testing revealed discrepancies, suggesting possible involvement but no definitive proof.
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Leon Lamb's Involvement: Although Leon had a relationship with Michelle, DNA evidence showed his DNA under her fingernails, indicating a physical altercation but not directly linking him to the murder.
Community Impact and Quest for Justice
The case of Michelle Lawless has left an indelible mark on the Scott County community. Families like Michelle's continue to seek closure, while figures like Sheriff Walter are determined to uncover the truth.
Rick Walter [45:09]: "I owe that to her family to find out who done it. Because if there's somebody that's got away with murder, they need to pay for their crime."
Josh Keezer, now a free man, has dedicated his life to advocating for judicial reform, ensuring that no one else suffers the injustice he endured.
Josh Keezer [44:11]: "I don't look back my 16 years in prison and get hateful and angry about all of it. It was wrong. It was evil."
Conclusion
"She Knew Too Much" serves as a poignant exploration of the flaws within the criminal justice system, the devastating impact of wrongful convictions, and the enduring hope for truth and reconciliation. As "48 Hours" continues to shed light on cases like Michelle Lawless's, listeners are reminded of the relentless pursuit of justice and the human stories that lie at the heart of every investigation.
Notable Quotes
- Rick Walter [02:04]: "I really thought that she was dead."
- Josh Keezer [04:06]: "I was calling monster. Calling me a killer, calling me a murderer doesn't need to get any worse than that."
- Brandon Cade [24:00]: "Once you really took and examined it piece by piece... it came apart."
- Josh Keezer [30:32]: "I let out this just roar. I yelled. I shouted with everything I had in me."
- Rick Walter [45:09]: "I owe that to her family to find out who done it."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key elements of the "She Knew Too Much" episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the case, its implications, and the ongoing quest for justice.