CounterClock: Episode 9 - Jigsaw

Host: audiochuck
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Duration: Approximately 31 minutes

In Episode 9 of CounterClock titled "Jigsaw," investigative journalist Delia D'Ambra continues her deep dive into a perplexing homicide case from November 15, 2002. The episode meticulously pieces together testimonies, inconsistencies, and new evidence, striving to reignite interest and uncover truths long buried.

1. Case Overview and Initial Suspects

The episode opens with the host outlining the basic facts of the case. Mr. Nathaniel Jones, a man in his early 60s residing at 901 Moravia Street, was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Two cleaning ladies, Diane Phant and Yolanda Graham Hairston, were the only known individuals with keys to his house and were present on the day of the crime.

Diane Phant's Statement:

• Timestamp [01:51]: "She said she had a key and started tidying and doing chores at 9 am while he was at work. Around 1:50 pm she'd called a cab to come pick her up and by 2 pm she was gone."

Interestingly, both women reported using taxi cabs to commute to Mr. Jones's residence, yet neither mentioned the existence of the other, raising questions about Mr. Jones's activities and relationships.

2. The Enigmatic Neighbor: Brian Lindsey

Delia shifts focus to Brian Lindsey, a neighbor living directly next door with his family. Brian's alibi during the time of the crime presents several inconsistencies:

• Host [04:43]: Brian claimed he was at Tasha Coleman's house with Craig Scriven at approximately 7:30 pm, aligning with the time Mr. Jones was found dead.

However, Ava Williams, a witness, placed Brian pacing in front of his home at 5:30 pm, contradicting his alibi.

Detective R.A. Shelton [04:58]:

"After about 10 seconds, 10 seconds later, they ran back over across the street and said they saw the man laying on the side of the car."

Brian further claimed he saw nothing unusual when authorities arrived, a statement that doesn't align with witness accounts of disturbances and potential altercations.

Quotes Highlighting Inconsistencies:

• Host [06:07]: "Ava Williams... saw Brian talking on the phone. Then she saw him again walking around the neighborhood minutes before the attack."

• Detective R.A. Shelton [09:35]:

"I threw it away."

Despite multiple attempts, Delia was unable to contact Brian or his family to probe deeper into these discrepancies. Chris Muma, a member of the Innocence Inquiry Commission, expresses strong suspicions about Brian's potential involvement.

Chris Muma [08:50]:

"Brian Lindsey, I think, is a critical piece in this case, and whether he was involved or whether he knows who was involved, I don't know, but I know he knows something."

Brian's extensive criminal record and recent attempts to relocate only add layers to the mystery, leaving Delia with more questions than answers.

3. Sherman "Jed" Williams: An Overlooked Lead

The investigation then turns to Sherman "Jed" Williams, an 18-year-old living near Mr. Jones's home during the time of the murder. Jed was questioned shortly after the crime but was released due to perceived mental limitations.

Detective R.A. Shelton [14:35]:

"Even somebody with intellectual disabilities would recognize that Jed had a different level of intellectual disabilities."

Jed's inconsistent statements and the absence of his testimony during the trials raise suspicions. Chris Muma believes Jed holds essential information that remains untapped.

Chris Muma [15:27]:

"Six. The Winston Salem 6."

Delia's attempts to contact Jed were unsuccessful, but she engaged with his former friend, Marcus Shavers, who provides a startling account of the evening in question.

4. Marcus Shavers: New Testimonies Emerge

Marcus Shavers, then a 15-year-old friend of Jed, offers a detailed and conflicting narrative about the night of the murder.

Marcus Shavers [17:10]:

"We had this scooter, a moped. And this moped, it was beat up... We all took turns riding this thing repeatedly. The police kept showing up... trying to get rid of us from being in that area."

According to Marcus, on the night of November 15th, he and Jed were smoking marijuana in Bellevue Park when three older men approached them, attempting to rob Jed. This encounter, which Marcus describes with vivid detail, directly contradicts Jed's official statements to the police.

Marcus Shavers [20:19]:

"Me and Jed, we're passing it left and right... These guys was older than us... They start smoking and then they start grabbing on Jed's pockets."

This testimony suggests a potential motive linked to jealousy or resentment towards the Jones family’s standing in the community. Marcus's account introduces new suspects and motives that had previously been overlooked or dismissed.

Host [21:40]:

"This story about him and Jed smoking marijuana together in Bellevue park on the evening of the crime and being approached by some guys contradicts Jed's statements to police and depositions he's given in recent years."

5. DNA Evidence and New Developments

The episode takes a significant turn with the revelation of DNA evidence uncovered in 2020, which introduces new complexities to the case.

Detective R.A. Shelton [26:54]:

"The DNA under the duct tape should have proved everything right there."

Contrary to earlier beliefs, the DNA profile does not match any known suspects, pointing to an unidentified individual outside existing records. This discovery complicates the narrative, suggesting the possibility of a previously unknown perpetrator.

Detective R.A. Shelton [27:33]:

"What if I told you that the DNA on the tape was a strong female profile?"

A female DNA profile shifts the investigation's focus, indicating that the perpetrator may not have been identified initially, and potentially pointing towards a different motive or suspect pool.

6. The Hunt for Jed and Unanswered Questions

Delia's relentless pursuit leads her to Jed's former residence and attempts to reconnect with his family. However, Jed has since moved, and his mother, Gail, denies any association with Marcus Shavers, despite Delia providing photographic evidence.

Host [28:01]:

"If you're listening and can put me in touch with Sherman Williams, who goes by the nickname Jed, please email me@counterclockudiochuk.com."

As the case edges towards an evidentiary hearing, Delia emphasizes the importance of following every lead, no matter how obscure, to ensure justice for Mr. Jones.

7. Teasing the Season Finale: Episode 10 - Justice

The episode concludes by setting the stage for the season finale, where Delia promises to explore broader systemic issues related to wrongful convictions, referencing other cases like the Daryl Hunt case from 1984. This finale aims to tie together threads from past episodes, providing closure and deeper insights into the justice system's flaws.

Host [30:48]:

"There's definitely a pattern. The Daryl Hunt case, which goes back to 1984."

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Muma [08:50]:

  "Brian Lindsey, I think, is a critical piece in this case, and whether he was involved or whether he knows who was involved, I don't know, but I know he knows something."

• Marcus Shavers [17:10]:

  "We had this scooter, a moped... trying to get rid of us from being in that area."

• Detective R.A. Shelton [26:54]:

  "The DNA under the duct tape should have proved everything right there."

• Detective R.A. Shelton [27:33]:

  "What if I told you that the DNA on the tape was a strong female profile?"

Conclusion

In "Jigsaw," Delia D'Ambra meticulously unravels the tangled web surrounding Mr. Jones's homicide, highlighting overlooked testimonies, conflicting alibis, and new DNA evidence that challenges previous assumptions. The episode underscores the complexities of cold cases and the critical importance of re-examining evidence with fresh perspectives. As CounterClock approaches its season finale, listeners are left anticipating further revelations and a quest for justice that seeks to correct past oversights.

For those intrigued by intricate mysteries and the pursuit of truth, Episode 9 of CounterClock serves as a compelling installment that bridges past and present, urging listeners to reconsider what they thought they knew about the case.