Ep 13 of 14: The Nexus - CounterClock

Summary

CounterClock Podcast Episode 13: The Nexus – Detailed Summary

Hosted by audiochuck, Episode 13 of CounterClock, titled "The Nexus," delves deep into the enigmatic disappearance and presumed murder of Derek Guy Spruill, a notorious drug dealer in Williamston, North Carolina. Investigative journalist Delia D'Ambra meticulously unpacks decades-old mysteries, connecting past and present events to shed light on unresolved homicide cases.

Introduction to the Case

In Episode 13, Delia revisits a central figure from previous investigations—Derek Guy Spruill, also known as Guy Spruh. Initially introduced in Episode 5, Guy was recognized as a prominent drug dealer with a significant influence in Williamston during the early 1990s. Delia sets the stage by recounting the early understanding of Guy's criminal activities and his connections within the local drug scene.

Uncovering Connections: Ezekiel Brown and Kenneth Williams

Delia explores Guy's associations by examining court records, revealing that Guy was linked with Ezekiel Brown and Kenneth Williams—two men reportedly connected to Doug Wag, whose mysterious death in July 1991 remains unsolved.

Ezekiel Brown (02:23): "Gospel if there was trouble anywhere around, he was in the middle of it. He had people everywhere that were selling for him."

Despite extensive research, direct ties between Doug and these men remain unverified. Delia considers the possibility of Doug relapsing into substance use, potentially dragging him back into Guy's orbit, as suggested by Doug's widow, Sandy, and his siblings.

Investigating Ezekiel Brown

Delia's investigation turns to Ezekiel Brown, whose criminal history paints a picture of a man deeply entrenched in illicit activities. Court records document arrests for assault, resisting police, speeding, cocaine trafficking, and drunk driving. Notably, Ezekiel received a traffic ticket on July 8, 1991—the very day Doug Wag's body was discovered.

Ezekiel Brown (05:19): "He used to talk to me a lot, come to my house. He sat down and talked, and we were friends. We were friends for a long time until after my son got killed. Then he slowly. I didn't see him."

Delia reveals that Ezekiel is wary of discussing Doug's death, suggesting underlying tensions:

Ezekiel Brown (05:58): "They used to have here what you call the Big Ten, and the Big Ten controlled everything. And the Big Ten had a lot of big shot whites in it."

The Shadowy Big Ten Organization

The Big Ten emerges as a clandestine organization wielding significant power in Martin County. Ezekiel describes it as a group with influential white members, hinting at corruption and protection from law enforcement:

Ezekiel Brown (05:58): "They used to have here what you call the Big Ten, and the Big Ten controlled everything."

Delia notes a recurring pattern where Ezekiel's criminal charges are systematically dismissed, suggesting he was a valuable asset to powerful entities:

Richard Smith (06:52): "Zeke was the man. Zeke was the man. His uncle made sure he had all the supply he needed."

The Disappearance of Guy Spruill

Delia recounts Guy Spruill's unexpected disappearance in June 2008, only eight months after his early release from prison. Efforts to locate him prove futile until January 13, 2011, when teenagers discover a burned vehicle containing human remains near Wildcat Road—the same location where Doug Wag died two decades earlier.

Ezekiel Brown (12:23): "I knew it was a car because when I looked in the back, you could still see the infinity symbol on the back. I knew that's where he was driving. My feeling was I hope that he was dead before they set the car on fire."

Despite the discovery, forensic analysis fails to conclusively identify the remains as Guy's due to the extensive burning:

Ezekiel Brown (13:48): "The way she described him, yes."

A death certificate is eventually issued, removing Guy from the national missing persons list. However, no charges have been filed in connection with his presumed murder or the arson of his vehicle.

The Anthony Mays Jr. Theory

Guy's family suspects Anthony Mays Jr., a rival drug supplier from Eastern New York, of orchestrating his murder. Anthony, operating under the alias Gus Rascoe, led a formidable drug cartel involved in trafficking between New York and North Carolina.

Narrator (16:05): "Anthony was convicted of orchestrating the murders of two young men from the Williamston area in 2003 and 2004."

Delia discusses how Anthony's criminal activities and eventual federal convictions tie him to the scene, yet concrete evidence linking him directly to Guy remains elusive.

Connecting Past and Present: Doug Wag’s Death and Guy’s Murder

Delia draws parallels between the unresolved deaths of Doug Wag in 1991 and Guy Spruill in 2008, noting the proximity of the locations and the mysterious circumstances surrounding both cases. She speculates that the Big Ten's longstanding influence may have facilitated the silence and lack of investigation in these murders.

Narrator (22:14): "I can't help but wonder if enterprises like the one the Mazes were running might have crossed paths with Doug Wagg in 1991. Did this drug cartel thrive for so many years because they were being helped, and therefore any deaths that could be linked back to them were ignored by law enforcement?"

The Path Forward: Seeking Truth and Justice

As the investigation unfolds, Delia acknowledges the myriad of unanswered questions and the potential cover-ups that have stifled the pursuit of truth. She emphasizes the need for further action, such as exhumations, to uncover definitive evidence.

Ezekiel Brown (24:09): "I want the truth, no matter. No matter what."

Delia concludes the episode by highlighting the determination of Guy's family and the ongoing quest to bring closure to these haunting cases, setting the stage for the season finale, Episode 14: "The Next Move."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Ezekiel Brown [02:23]: "Gospel if there was trouble anywhere around, he was in the middle of it. He had people everywhere that were selling for him."
Ezekiel Brown [05:19]: "He used to talk to me a lot, come to my house. He sat down and talked, and we were friends. We were friends for a long time until after my son got killed. Then he slowly. I didn't see him."
Richard Smith [06:52]: "Zeke was the man. Zeke was the man. His uncle made sure he had all the supply he needed. They was bigger than everybody else, but they wouldn't get in touch. They weren't getting raided. They did drugs, wasn't getting hit or whatever. I bet you he's a millionaire, right? I know he's a millionaire. The source means you sit here on his telephone speaking millionaire. He was a millionaire before I even got locked up."
Ezekiel Brown [12:23]: "I knew it was a car because when I looked in the back, you could still see the infinity symbol on the back. I knew that's where he was driving. My feeling was I hope that he was dead before they set the car on fire. That's a real cold blooded person that don't care about nothing or nobody."
Ezekiel Brown [24:09]: "I want the truth, no matter. No matter what."

Conclusion

Episode 13 of CounterClock, "The Nexus," masterfully intertwines past crimes with present-day investigations, revealing the intricate web of drug trafficking, corruption, and unresolved murders in Williamston, North Carolina. Delia D'Ambra's relentless pursuit of truth uncovers potential ties between powerful criminal organizations and law enforcement inaction, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats as the season approaches its climax.

Transcript

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Narrator (1:19)

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Ezekiel Brown (2:23)

Gospel if there was trouble anywhere around, he was in the middle of it. He had people everywhere that were selling for him.

Narrator (2:33)

I pulled court records for Guy and they showed that he kept company with Ezekiel Brown and Kenneth Williams, the two men Sandy Wagg was once told might have been with her husband Doug in the days leading up to his death in July 1991. A direct connection between Doug and these men has never been confirmed. However, it makes sense that he might have known them because they were well known drug dealers. And just to remind you, though Doug had gotten clean at the start of 1991, it's possible, according to his widow Sandy and his siblings, that he could have relapsed back into substance use closer to the time of his death. If we can believe Doug's autopsy report and the information about him being seen with known drug dealers on the Friday night before he was found on the railroad tracks, then finding out as much as possible about Guy Spruill, Ezekiel Brown, and Kenneth Williams felt like an important thread to tug on. Like I mentioned before, Kenneth died over a decade ago, and his ex wife Linda and son Kenny Jr. Couldn't tell me much because they'd severed ties with Kenneth in the early 90s. So that left me with Ezekiel and Guy to check out. Ezekiel told me during our phone call that he didn't know Doug, but if you remember, he also asked a very specific question when we spoke about Doug's death, and it caught me off guard. Do you ever remember the story of a guy being found dead on the railroad tracks in Williamston?