Buried Bones – Episode: “Last Rites”

Podcast Hosts: Kate Winkler Dawson (A) & Paul Holes (B)
Release Date: October 22, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, Kate and Paul examine the 1921 murder of Father James Edwin Coyle in Birmingham, Alabama, through the lens of early 20th-century American social tensions—encompassing race, religion, and the law. They deploy modern forensic reasoning and historical context to dissect the events, motivations, and injustice surrounding the case, culminating in a reflection on systemic failures and social collusion, particularly by the Ku Klux Klan.

Episode Structure & Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: A Murder on a Church Porch (08:08–13:47)

• Time & Place: August 11, 1921, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Birmingham, Alabama, during Prohibition, a period rife with anti-Catholic sentiment and KKK activity.
• Victim & Crime: Father James Edwin Coyle, an Irish Catholic priest, is sitting on the rectory porch after performing a marriage between 18-year-old Ruth Stevenson and 42-year-old Pedro Guzman.
• Crime Unfolds:
  • Witnesses (housekeeper Stella and Coyle’s sister Marcella) hear three shots: two in quick succession, one after a pause.
  • They see a tall man in black calmly walking away with a gun (08:57).
  • Father Coyle lies unconscious, bleeding from a head wound, but is still alive when ambulance arrives.

2. Crime Scene & Autopsy—Forensic Analysis (17:44–28:31)

• Physical Evidence:
  • Kate details the crime scene layout and provides photos; Paul analyzes likely bullet trajectories and victim movement.
  • Only one bullet hit Father Coyle (through the left temple, exiting at the base of the skull), but other bullet holes are present on-site.
• Autopsy & Medical Response:
  • Dr. Mason attempts to revive Coyle with 1920s-era stimulants (notably, cocaine and strychnine), but fails (22:08).
• Gunshot Residue & Trajectories:
  • No powder burns or gunshot residue—"no stippling"—indicating that the fatal shot was fired from a distance. Paul speculates the killer stood on the lawn, not the porch—pointing to a deliberate, rather than impulsive, attack (23:20-25:28).
  • “The shooter basically takes better aim and catches Father Coyle in the head.” (39:41 – Paul)
• Bullet Types:
  • Use of steel-jacketed .38 bullet—Paul notes this suggests the shooter did not select ammunition for lethality, just what was available (37:52).
• Body Position Analysis:
  • Coyle’s hat and papers remained undisturbed, reinforcing the scenario that he stood up from the swing, likely in surprise, rather than during a struggle (25:10–25:28).
  • Paul reconstructs that after two missed shots, Coyle tried to move away, catching the third, fatal bullet as he sought shelter (41:18–41:47).

3. The Prime Suspect and Motives: Social Tensions in 1920s Birmingham (43:27–52:21)

• Historical Backdrop:
  • Widespread anti-Catholic prejudice, especially from the KKK and “True Americans” organizations, targeting immigrants and minorities during Prohibition.
  • Father Coyle’s outspoken opposition made him a target in a violently bigoted environment.
  • “He's talking about a very outspoken priest in an area surrounded by so much hatred towards Catholics.” (45:42 – Kate)
• Key Players:
  • Ruth Stevenson: Daughter of Reverend Edwin Stevenson, a prominent Methodist minister and local Klansman; recently converted to Catholicism.
  • Pedro Guzman: Puerto Rican Catholic; despite being legally classified as white, Reverend Stevenson insists he is Black, further inflaming his own bigotry.
• Reverend Edwin Stevenson:
  • Ruth’s father; violently opposed to her conversion and marriage, with documented abuse (“He strapped her to bedpost and he stuffed a rag in her mouth...” (52:21 – Kate)), and deep involvement with the Klan.
  • Stevenson turns himself in and confesses to killing Coyle, handing over the weapon, but does not immediately divulge motive.

4. The Investigation & Social Injustice (55:01–68:04)

• Law Enforcement & Social Collusion:
  • Law enforcement and court system thoroughly infiltrated by the Klan: Judge, jury foreman, police chief, and most jurors are Klansmen (58:01–58:15).
  • Paul observes: “The government is just going to be extremely influenced by the kkk.” (59:35)
• The Trial:
  • Stevenson is charged with second-degree murder (heat of the moment vs. premeditation debated).
  • Defense is funded and led by the Klan; Hugo Black (future Supreme Court Justice and later Klan member) serves as defense attorney.
  • Stevenson enters dual pleas: “Not guilty” and “Not guilty by reason of insanity.” (60:14)
  • Framing of Pedro as Black in court, with dramatic lighting to incite racial prejudice among the jury (64:30–65:42).
• Prosecution Weaknesses:
  • Fails to call key witnesses, such as Ruth; judge rules out a crucial eyewitness at the last minute (66:05–66:57).
• Verdict:
  • Acquittal after only two hours of jury deliberation. Stevenson is celebrated at Klan events; Coyle becomes a martyr for Catholics (68:04–69:12).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Forensic Progress:
  • “DNA has really proven to be much more robust to get the real answer as to who this person was.” (05:30 – Paul)
• Crime Scene Theorizing:
  • "My guess is his autopsy is going to show two shots... and then you have the execution with the gunshot wound to the temple." (17:44 – Paul)
• On Perpetrator’s Psychology:
  • “He knows what's going on … he carried out a mission that is accepted, socially accepted in this community.” (46:09 – Paul)
• On Social Injustice:
  • “They had infiltrated every single area of power that there was in this country… Coyle just paid this awful price, for sure.” (70:23 – Kate)
  • “This was a failure of the system because of ... the biases of everybody within that court... Reverend Stevenson should have been convicted of murder and he got off and it's just too bad." (70:23–70:47 – Paul)

Segment Timestamps

• Halloween Banter & Intro – 02:43–08:08
  (Spooky season, context, forensic anecdotes)
• Setting & Crime Overview – 08:08–13:47
  (Historical context, Prohibition, first details of the murder)
• Crime Scene Forensics – 17:44–28:31
  (Scene description, autopsy, bullet trajectories)
• Historical & Social Context – 43:27–52:21
  (Rise of KKK, anti-Catholic bigotry, victim and suspect backgrounds)
• Investigation & Trial – 55:01–69:12
  (Court proceedings, defense strategies, outcome, and fallout)
• Closings & Reflections – 70:23–End

Tone & Language

The episode balances Kate’s narrative journalism and Paul’s methodical, evidence-driven approach. Kate injects context and empathy; Paul provides clinical forensic logic. Both express deep frustration at systemic injustice, using terms like “failure of the system,” “collusion,” and “martyr.” There’s a mix of historical gravitas, cold case intrigue, and pointed social commentary throughout.

Summary Takeaway

“Last Rites” exposes a true crime case where personal prejudice, religious intolerance, and systemic racism converged to thwart justice. Through forensic and historical analysis, the hosts show how the violence against Father Coyle was more than a personal vendetta: it reflected—and was enabled by—the poisonous atmosphere of the time. The case stands as a haunting reminder of the need to scrutinize who holds power and how unchecked bias can corrupt entire communities.

For further material and case evidence, see the show’s Instagram: @buriedbonespod.