Crime House Daily: First Watch

Episode: “ASSASSIN INC.”: Dad Accused of KILLING Daughter’s Boyfriend + Fugitive Caught on Live TV

Host: Katie Ring
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this “First Watch” episode, host Katie Ring brings listeners breaking updates on two high-profile cases:

1. The Jeffrey Spence Family Murder Trial - A complex and chilling Mississippi case where a father stands accused of murdering his daughter’s boyfriend in what prosecutors describe as a calculated, family-involved crime.
2. The Live TV Fugitive Arrest - The bizarre capture of Richard Applequist, an alleged serial burglar in Idaho Springs, Colorado, who was apprehended on live television while news crews were reporting his story.

Throughout, Katie Ring delivers a fast-paced yet thorough analysis, spotlighting twists, courtroom drama, and implications for each case.

Case One: The Spence Family Murder Plot – Mississippi

Story Breakdown

• Background & Relationships

  • Kaitlin Spence and Kirby Carpenter meet in 2020, begin dating, and have a daughter, Enola, in 2022; the home is shared with Kirby’s son from another relationship and Kaitlin’s parents, Jeffrey and Karen Spence.
  • Tensions in the home allegedly stem from Kirby’s temper, criminal activity (drug dealing), and instances of abuse—details primarily supplied via Kaitlin.

• The Crime

  • Nov 30, 2022: Kirby is killed by multiple shotgun wounds (found in the chest and neck) at his Mississippi home.
  • His body is hidden under a tarp and toolbox in an outbuilding; evidence at the scene (drag marks, blood pool) support police theories of a moved and concealed body.
  • Kirby’s customary bag, reportedly containing $200,000–$300,000 in cash, is missing, suggesting financial motive.
  • Dec 2, 2022: Kaitlin calls 911 after discovering the body. Security camera footage is expected to be pivotal—until police realize the cameras were disabled by someone with insider knowledge.

• Police Investigation & Delays

  • The case stagnates for nearly a year, with detectives believing a financially motivated outside attack is likely.
  • Nov 2023: David Barnes, a former associate of Kirby’s, is arrested for burglary and tells police that Kaitlin confessed her father, Jeffrey, killed Kirby “after things got out of hand.” This revelation shifts the focus squarely onto the Spence family.

• Breakthrough Evidence

  • Search of Spence family property (in Virginia) yields:
    • Shotgun hidden under a bed.
    • $17,000 in cash in Jeffrey’s car.
    • $38,000 in gold bars/coins, possible counterfeit bills, and a $90 check to David Barnes (signed by Kirby).
  • These clues suggest premeditated theft as a motive.

• Legal Maneuvering and Testimony

  • April 2025: Kaitlin accepts a plea deal, pleads guilty to reduced charges, and agrees to testify against her parents.
  • September 2025: Karen (mother) also takes a plea deal (Alford plea) and receives a suspended 10-year sentence.
  • The main trial against Jeffrey Spence begins, with Kaitlin’s testimony as the linchpin.

Key Testimony & Courtroom Drama

• Kaitlin’s Testimony

  • Claims her father confessed during a hike after sending a chilling text about starting a business called “Assassins Inc.”
  • “He admitted that…he asked Kirby to sell some drugs for him. Kirby either argued or refused, so Jeffrey shot him and left his body near the shed.” – Kaitlin Spence ([15:28])

• Sister’s Insight

  • Carolyn, Caitlin’s sister, describes prior criminality:
    • “He often watched Breaking Bad…He’d say he would use a shotgun because it’s easier to dispose of the cartridges.” ([16:55])

• Caitlin's Motive Questioned

  • The defense presses on timeline holes; argues long driving distances (Virginia ↔ Mississippi) make it impossible for Jeffrey to have made a stealth round-trip in that time.
  • Casts suspicion back on Caitlin herself, highlighting her aid in Kirby’s criminal activities and possible motive as a domestic abuse victim.

• Prosecution’s Link

  • “Just two hours before Kirby’s body was found, his safety deposit box at the bank was opened—and the only people who knew about the key’s hiding place and the cameras were Jeffrey and Caitlin.” ([17:35])

Major Courtroom Moment

• Mistrial Declared
  • The jury deadlocks (6-6) after three hours of deliberation, then again after extra time; the judge declares a mistrial.
  • “When this is announced, Kirby’s mother is so overcome with emotion, she collapses. Medics are called…but she will have to wait another year for justice.” ([18:45])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “One of the first things to give her pause was a text Caitlin received from her dad where he said they should start a business called Assassins Inc.” —Katie Ring ([14:34])
• “Investigators are able to access the safety deposit box and find $38,000 worth of gold bars and coins, counterfeit cash, and a $90 check in Kirby’s name made out to David Barnes.” ([13:48])
• “The cameras have been disabled, which makes investigators think Kirby was killed by someone with access to the house.” ([08:56])
• “According to some sources, before the Spence family was arrested, Kirby’s mother witnessed Jeffrey putting a bag full of silver coins worth thousands of dollars into the trunk of his car.” ([17:02])

Timeline Highlights

• 00:41–09:30: Background, relationship dynamics, initial discovery of the murder.
• 09:30–12:59: Evidence trail, security cameras, investigation stalls, then the major break in 2023.
• 12:59–19:46: Testimony, plea deals, courtroom drama, mistrial, and emotional fallout.

Case Two: Fugitive Caught LIVE – Idaho Springs, Colorado

Case Narrative

• Crime Spree
  • Between Sep 23–25, 2025: Series of armed burglaries and property damage by a suspect wearing a black ski mask and armed with a gun; suspects interacts bizarrely with home security cameras, claiming to be with the “Forest Service.”
• Police Chase
  • Suspect flees in a white Ford Escape SUV after drone detection, crashes, and evades ground search overnight.
• Media Stunt
  • On Sep 26, CBS reporter Justin Adams prepares a live report near the previous evening’s chase site.
  • As the cameras roll, a man matching the suspect’s exact description saunters into the shot.

The Arrest — Caught on Camera

• TV Moment
  • “Wouldn’t it be crazy if we actually found the guy right now?” – Justin Adams, CBS anchor ([21:40])
  • The suspect is quickly identified as Richard Applequist. The crew contacts police, who arrive within 10 minutes to arrest Applequist, now a person of interest in multiple Idaho Springs burglaries.
  • Applequist is taken for mental health evaluation before booking.

Charges & Ongoing Investigation

• Applequist faces:

  • Two counts of first-degree burglary
  • One count of third-degree burglary
  • Theft, possession of a weapon by a previous offender
  • Impersonating a peace officer, eluding, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and resisting arrest.

• Police continue to seek information and surveillance footage from Idaho Springs residents.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “[The suspect] walks into the background of the shot, and the reporter is stunned. He tells the camera operator to zoom in on the man.” ([21:34])
• “At the same time, other crew members alert the police who arrive in the area about 10 minutes later. Pretty soon they locate the man and they arrest him.” ([22:13])

Timeline Highlights

• 20:32–21:30: Recap of burglary spree, police chase, suspect profile.
• 21:30–22:53: Live news arrest, aftermath, and charges.

Overall Tone and Delivery

Katie Ring’s tone is analytical yet empathetic, balancing the gravity of the violence with curiosity and critical questioning. She maintains a fast-paced yet lucid narration, frequently referencing key sources and echoing the shock and frustration of both investigators and victims' families.

• Engagement with Listeners: Invites comments, theories, and social media participation for ongoing developments.
• Responsibility: Stresses all parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that facts may evolve with new evidence.
• Community Appeal: Encourages listeners to assist investigations (particularly in the Colorado case) if they have information.

Memorable Quotes

• “We aim to inform, not to decide guilt or innocence.” – Katie Ring ([02:19])
• “The pursuit of justice never stops.” – Katie Ring ([25:22])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Case 1 Start (Spence Family): [03:48]
• Details of Crime Scene: [06:50]
• Discovery of Cash & Missing Bag: [07:58]
• Security Footage Compromised: [08:56]
• Testimony About 'Assassins Inc.' and Family Confession: [14:34]
• Sister’s Account of Father’s Criminal Tendencies: [16:55]
• Mistrial Announcement: [18:45]
• Case 2 Start (Applequist/Live TV arrest): [20:32]
• Suspect Walks Into Live Shot: [21:34]
• Arrest and Charges: [22:13]

Closing Comments

This episode spotlights how motives, family dynamics, and media coverage shape complex criminal cases. Crime House Daily balances factual reporting, careful analysis, and a drive for community engagement—leaving listeners with unanswered questions and an invitation to help seek justice.

Did you miss the episode? This summary covers all the need-to-know details, emotional highlights, and legal twists—so you’re ready for the next Crime House Daily update.