Bone Valley Season 3: Kevin is Next – Part 2

Podcast by Lava for Good Podcasts | Aired: September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In “Kevin is Next – Part 2,” host Gilbert King and the Bone Valley team continue exploring the reinvestigation of Kevin Herrick’s conviction. This episode delves into the powerful efforts of Georgetown University’s Making an Exoneree program, led by undergraduate students and guided by Dr. Amanda Lewis and Nick White. The students set out first as skeptics, but quickly find that the official story—and the case against Kevin—begins to unravel under scrutiny. The episode blends personal reflection, investigative legwork, and shocking documentary discoveries, raising urgent questions about the case, the original investigation, and the wider system that produces wrongful convictions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unique Role of Student Investigators (01:33–04:44)

• Dr. Amanda Lewis explains why undergraduate students often shine in reinvestigating wrongful convictions:

  “First of all, they're curious. …They're not necessarily intimidating. Typically people want to talk, so that is hugely helpful.” (02:12)

• Three undergrads (Brett, Ava, and Nina) and law student Nick White are assigned to Kevin's case. Each brings a unique energy and skillset.
• Nina’s initial skepticism:

  “I just was really vehemently opposed to working on a sexual assault case. I always want to believe the victim. …Let me read the case and prove to you that he's guilty.” (04:50–05:19)

  • Sets the stage for a critical, evidence-driven mindset as the students dig into the case.

2. Dissecting the Original Evidence and Timeline (07:10–10:14)

• The team reviews the trial transcript, parsing testimony line by line.
• Key witnesses: Cheryl (victim and neighbor) describes the assault; Scott (her boyfriend) testifies about his struggle with the intruder and claims to have chased and identified the attacker’s car.
• Nina tries to map out who was present, and discovers a crucial contradiction:

  If Kevin was standing in the courtyard when Scott returned, how could he also be the man Scott chased over a fence and saw get into a car? (10:09)

3. Apartment Layout and Alibi Details (14:11–17:46)

• Testimony from Teresa Pori, Kevin’s housemate, becomes a linchpin:
  • She claims to have sat in the living room the whole night, and testifies:

    “He was asleep. When I went in there, that boy was asleep. …There was no time for that boy to come in there to hop in bed.” (16:32)

• Students realize the apartment’s layout and timelines make it nearly impossible for Kevin to have committed the crime unnoticed:

  “You can't walk the dog with me. The dog is still stationary because there's nothing to walk now.” – Nina (17:35)

4. Physical Evidence Contradicts Police Theories (17:46–20:38)

• Key forensics:

  • Collected hairs and fingerprints at the scene don’t match Kevin.

  “They showed the fingerprints didn't match Kevin either... None of the physical evidence matched Kevin.” – Ava (18:15)

• The team also uncovers that police misrepresented evidence during the investigation and trial:

  “Officers told the victims they'd found a bloody knife and clothes in Kevin's room… None of this was true, but it made a powerful impression at trial.” (19:04)

  • Cheryl’s identification of Kevin was based on these statements, not personal recognition.
  • Brett reflects on the system’s failure:

    “It feels like it should be so much more difficult for this to happen. But then when you actually look at this, it just happened so easily.” (20:39)

5. On-the-Ground Investigation in Florida (21:07–23:30)

• Students travel to Florida, visiting key crime locations and attempting to interview involved parties.
• Their experience at the triplex proves moving:

  “I can't believe, like this is where Kevin's like whole life was taken from him.” (23:11)

• Physical mapping of movements at the scene confirms:

  “Doesn't make sense.” (23:30)

6. Breakthrough: The Lost License Plate & Alternate Suspect (23:46–28:42)

• Amanda uncovers a vehicle property report with a license plate number that Scott, the boyfriend, had mentioned to police—a detail missing from all official reports.
• She traces the plate EZ5.11W to a 1978 Datsun station wagon owned by Paul Fredette, a neighbor who had previously been charged with sexual battery years before Kevin’s conviction.
• Amanda reacts to this new lead:

  “I was like, I'm fucking so excited. …Is this the plate?” (25:55)

• Discovery of this document raises the serious legal issue of the state withholding possible exculpatory evidence (“Brady violation”).

7. Pursuing the Alternate Suspect (28:42–34:18)

• Amanda tracks down “Shirley,” a woman who knew Paul Fredette and ended up inheriting his possessions after his death.
• Shirley’s description:

  “If I were to label him, I would say he was either brain damaged or just the most selfish person I've ever met in my life.” (32:04)

• Shirley provides access to Fredette’s belongings, including a pen knife matching the crime’s description.
• The presence of the knife is potentially significant, though forensic investigation is still needed.

8. Emotional Toll and Hope for Exoneration (34:34–36:58)

• A moving exchange takes place between Kevin and Shirley:

  Kevin: “I’m hopeful and I’m praying for you. …There are converging lines of destiny that God puts together from the beginning of time. …Regardless, if I never meet you face to face, I know where I'll meet you.” (34:34–36:06)

• Amanda expresses hope:

  “I just want to fucking do something that helps actually get someone out of prison. …This is honestly the first time I've actually felt like I might actually do that.” (36:58)

9. Kevin, Leo, and the Role of Friendship (37:41–39:22)

• Kevin and Leo Schofield (himself wrongfully convicted and featured in Season 1) regularly support each other.
• The emotional strain of incarceration and longing for connection is evident:

  “As soon as the phone clicks off, his head goes down. Every time. Every time.” (39:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the student team’s approach:

  "They'll ask questions that I wouldn't think to ask…" – Amanda (02:12)

• Nina’s shift in belief:

  “I was like, crap, this guy might actually. He may actually…” (18:34)

• Brett on the justice system:

  "So many people. The jury could have stopped this. …But then when you actually look at this, it just happened so easily." (20:39)

• Amanda discovering the alternate suspect:

  "I see this report. I'm like, what the hell is this? …I'm fucking so excited." (25:40–25:55)

• Kevin’s faith and optimism:

  "That tells me that he's got plans and he's going to take care of it… That's not odd, that's just God." (34:34)

Important Timestamps

• 01:33 — Dr. Amanda Lewis: PIs vs. student investigators
• 04:50 — Nina’s initial reluctance to the case
• 07:10 — Team begins trial transcript analysis
• 14:11 — Lead-up to Teresa Pori’s exculpatory testimony
• 18:02 — Ava on physical evidence not matching Kevin
• 19:04 — Police misrepresent evidence at trial
• 25:40 — Amanda discovers license plate lead
• 26:23 — Identification of Paul Fredette
• 32:04 — Shirley’s account of Fredette
• 33:39 — Knife found among Fredette’s possessions
• 34:34 — Kevin and Shirley’s phone conversation
• 36:58 — Amanda on hope for exoneration
• 39:00 — Impact of prison on phone calls and hope

Conclusion

This episode stands out for its step-by-step unraveling of a wrongful conviction, driven both by dogged investigation and the human stories behind the headlines. As hopeful new evidence comes to light—a possible Brady violation and an alternate suspect—the emotional stakes for Kevin Herrick and his supporters come through vividly. With student investigators bringing fresh eyes and Amanda's relentless searching, real movement in the case suddenly seems possible.

For more information on Kevin Herrick’s case or to get involved, listeners are directed to kevinisnext.com. The story continues in upcoming episodes as the team presses forward with their reinvestigation.