Crime House Daily: First Watch

Episode: DoorDash Gone Wrong & Knighted Irish Politician’s Delayed Trial
Host: Katie Ring
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview

In this First Watch episode, host Katie Ring covers two headline-making cases: the controversial shooting of a DoorDash driver by a local official in upstate New York, and the ongoing sexual abuse case against Northern Irish politician Jeffrey Donaldson. Both stories are unfolding, with legal proceedings, public outrage, and lingering questions about justice and accountability.

Case 1: DoorDash Driver Shooting in Chester, NY

Subject:

• 48-year-old John Riley, highway superintendent
• 24-year-old Alpha Barry, DoorDash driver and recent immigrant from Guinea

Summary:
On May 2, 2025, a simple food delivery went catastrophically wrong when John Riley shot Alpha Barry, a DoorDash driver, in the back as Barry was attempting to leave Riley’s property after delivering food to the wrong address. The incident, caught on the Riley family's security camera, generated national outrage especially after the footage went public. Riley faces multiple felony charges and the town board is under pressure to manage both legal and public fallout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Context and Timeline

  • [03:24] Alpha Barry was delivering DoorDash in Chester, NY, on May 2. English was his second language; he was new to the area, and his phone was dying, leaving him uncertain of delivery addresses in a rural neighborhood.
  • [04:45] Barry knocked on several doors seeking help. At the Riley house, a 12-year-old girl saw him, woke her father.
  • [05:40] Riley comes outside armed, confronts Barry (now already in his car), and fires shots—including the one that hits Barry in the back as he reverses.

• Aftermath

  • [06:40] Injured and unable to call for help, Barry made it to a gas station to charge his phone, then drove home, where family rushed him to the hospital.
  • [07:30] Police investigation reveals Riley as a local town official, with his wife allegedly deleting evidence from security footage.
  • [10:07] Police found 28 guns in Riley’s home, some without proper permits.

• The Official Response

  • [10:07] Riley arrested, posts $250,000 cash bail, surrenders passport, and wears ankle monitor.
  • [10:40] The town board calls for Riley’s resignation, facing community backlash from both sides ("threats from people accusing the town of condoning racism").

• Legal Strategy and Community Outrage

  • [11:00] Riley’s lawyer alleges Barry tried to enter the home to charge his phone—host rejects this:
    • “If you really want to help someone, you can speak through the ring camera, give directions, or offer to call the police. But shooting an unarmed person driving away is not an option.” – Katie Ring (12:13)

• Victim’s Recovery and Impacts

  • [13:40] Barry undergoes multiple surgeries, with life-altering injuries—may never walk again, refuses to go outside due to trauma.

• Charges and Next Steps

  • Riley: 13 criminal counts including attempted murder, assault, weapons violations; trial set for early 2026.
  • His wife, Selena, charged with 17 counts of evidence tampering; next hearing January 2026.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[This] absolutely does not qualify as self-defense. Fortunately, the driver survived, but his life has been permanently changed.” — Katie Ring (03:24)
• “Watching the video, it didn’t come off to me like a man defending his family. It felt like a man filled with anger, racially profiling a delivery driver and nearly killing him for just going to the wrong house.” — Katie Ring (10:34)
• “Some are even considering it a hate crime.” — Katie Ring (11:10)
• “If I had to guess, the footage missing ... probably contained some slurs.” — Katie Ring (10:55)
• “As a self-defense instructor ... you don’t have to open the door. You can talk to them through the rear camera ... it’s not that hard.” — Katie Ring (12:28)
• “His injuries were so severe he may never walk again. He’s also so traumatized he won’t even go outside.” — Katie Ring relaying family statement (13:50)

Case 2: Knighted Irish Politician’s Delayed Trial

Subject:

• Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, former DUP leader, and his wife Eleanor

Summary:
Jeffrey Donaldson, a major figure in Northern Irish politics, faces nearly 20 charges related to sexual abuse spanning decades. His wife, Eleanor, was also charged as an accessory. Court proceedings have been repeatedly delayed, in part due to Eleanor’s reported psychiatric illness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Background

  • [17:45] Donaldson’s rise: From Protestant working-class roots during the Troubles, to political prominence, DUP leadership, and knighthood.
  • Investigators allege abuse from 1985–2008.
  • March 28, 2024: Both Donaldsons arrested; Eleanor charged with aiding and abetting rape and cruelty to minors.

• Procedural Delays

  • [19:58] Following bail, significant delays emerge. Eleanor’s lawyers claim she’s too ill to attend, resulting in hearings conducted without her.
  • Both plead not guilty. Some charges dropped or adjusted, but most remain.

• Community and Political Fallout

  • Donaldson suspended from the Orange Order; resigns as DUP leader.
  • Ongoing debate about whether Donaldson’s status is delaying justice or offering undue protection.

• Host Commentary

  • [20:30] Host challenges the fairness of repeated court delays:
    • “If you do crimes like this, I don’t think an illness should delay your judgment. But apparently that’s how the law sometimes works.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The fallout was immediate. Jeffrey was suspended from the Orange Order and resigned from the DUP leadership.” — Katie Ring (18:45)
• “Justice for Jeffrey’s accusers has been slow, but we hope the case will have its day in court. And the full truth will come to light.” — Katie Ring (21:05)

Important Timestamps

• DoorDash Shooting Case

  • [03:24] Introduction to the case; context and victim background
  • [05:40] Description of the shooting (Ring camera)
  • [06:40] Victim’s ordeal post-shooting
  • [10:07] Discovery of guns, Riley’s arrest and bail
  • [11:00] Community response and legal defense
  • [13:40] Victim’s medical outcome and trauma
  • [14:20] Charges and future court dates

• Jeffrey Donaldson Case

  • [17:45] Donaldson’s biography
  • [18:45] Details of allegations and arrests
  • [19:58] Court delays due to Eleanor’s health
  • [21:05] Host’s conclusion and critique of delay

Tone & Additional Notes

Katie Ring maintains a direct, empathetic, and analytical tone—firmly advocating for victims and scrutinizing the legal and institutional responses. The episode uses clear, accessible language while staying grounded in detailed narratives.

Engagement

• Community Call-to-Action

  • “[W]hat did you think of today’s cases? Drop your thoughts and theories in the comments. See you next time.” — Katie Ring (21:20)

• Stay Updated

  • Listeners reminded to subscribe and follow for ongoing developments on both cases.

End of summary.