← Crime House 24/7
Crime House 24/7
Stefon Diggs Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Strangulation, Assault & Harvest Homecoming Murder Trial Update | Crime House 24/7
00:27:57
Loading summary
Transcript19 lines
- [00:01]
Vanessa Richardson
On the Crime House Original podcast Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, we're diving into the psychology of the world's most complex murder cases.
- [00:09]
Dr. Tristan Ingalls
From serial killers to cult leaders, deadly exes and spree killers, we're examining not just how they killed, but why.
- [00:17]
Vanessa Richardson
Is it uncontrollable rage? Overwhelming fear? Or is it something deeper? Serial Killers and Murderous Minds is a Crime House Studios original new episodes drop every Monday and Thursday Friday Follow wherever you get your podcasts. This is Crime House. Good morning everyone. We have multiple breaking true crime cases this morning that you need to know about and we're starting with the biggest one. Jurors heard new testimony in the deadly horrible Harvest Homecoming shooting trial Friday and later New England Patriots wide receiver Stefan Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and assault charges. This is crime house 24 7, your non stop source for the biggest crime cases developing right now. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Vanessa Richardson and we have quite a lineup for you today. Here's what you need to know.
- [01:28]
Angie.com Advertiser
Why have I asked my electrician I found on Angie.com to bury my pet hamster Nibbles in our yard for me? Because I was so moved by how carefully he buried my electrical wires, I knew I could trust him to bury my sweet Nibbles after his untimely end. Nibbles gone too soon. May he scurry in peace.
- [01:45]
Carvana Advertiser
Hey, sorry about your pet, but I just wire stuff.
- [01:48]
Angie.com Advertiser
Nibbles would have loved you like a brother.
- [01:50]
Carvana Advertiser
Connecting homeowners with skilled pros for over 30 years and Angie, the one you trust to find the ones you trust. Find pros for all your home projects@angie.com.
- [01:59]
Vanessa Richardson
Trial resumed Friday, February 13th in Southern Indiana in the deadly Harvest Homecoming shooting that claimed the life of an 18 year old bystander and injured two others as jurors heard more testimony about what prosecutors say led to gunfire in the middle of a crowded fall festival. Friday marked day seven of the trial of 19 year old Isaiah Page, who's charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of 18 Bryce Gerlock. Paige also faces additional charges, including attempted murder, aggravated battery and criminal recklessness. Harvest Homecoming is one of southern Indiana's largest annual events, with hundreds of craft and food booths drawing thousands of visitors each year to downtown New Albany. But for visitors on October 12, 2024, their celebrations took a dark turn. Prosecutors allege Page fired a gun during an altercation at the event. Authorities say the bullets were int for someone else, but instead struck Gerlock, who was attending the festival with his girlfriend. Gerlock was described in earlier testimony as an innocent bystander. His girlfriend previously told jurors the two had been celebrating their one year anniversary the night of the shooting. When the gunfire erupted on Friday, prosecutors again called victim Michelle Nashi, who was shot in the leg that night, to testify about the moments before the shooting near a fountain where one group had gathered. She told jurors she saw a group approach from the road and heard someone say, quote, let's bump. The jury also heard from Necky Kirksey, who was 17 at the time of the shooting. He testified that he was at the festival with Adrian Thurman, who prosecutors said was part of the group involved in the argument beforehand, and another individual. When gunfire broke out, Kirksey said he ran toward Black Avenue and heard additional shots behind him. On cross examination, Kirksey said he did not see who fired the shots and believed they came from near the YMCA. These testimonies come after jurors heard from one of Paige's co defendants on February 12th. Though not in person, Darius Tough, who previously reached a plea agreement in the case, was called to testify, but declined to take the stand. Instead, portions of his prior sworn testimony from a deposition were read aloud to the jury. Tuff has already been sentenced to 37 years in prison as part of his plea deal. In his deposition, Tuff said he lived in Louisville, Kentucky with two other co defendants, Joshua Smith and Shermichael Smith. He testified that the three are cousins and shared a house together. According to that deposition, on the day of the shooting, Shermichael and Joshua planned on going to Harvest homecoming, but Tough did not want to go. Tough said, however, that Joshua had been, quote, going through a lot and he decided to go along to look out for Shermichael. When they arrived at the festival, Tough said he and Shermichael walked around together while Joshua wandered off. At one point, according to the deposition reading court, Joshua told them that the ops are here, slang that typically refers to rivals or perceived enemies. Tuff claimed in the deposition that he did not know who these ops were and that he never got a specific name from Joshua. But regardless, he grabbed a gun from his car for protection. That's allegedly when tensions escalated from there. Tuff said another group started shooting at them and that he shot back three times before getting in a car and driving away. Joshua fired more shots from the car and prosecutors say the bullet that came from tough injured two people at harvest, but not Gerlock. Another witness, 19 year old Adrian Thurman testified that he was near the fountain area the night of the shooting, heard gunfire and saw someone with a black backpack who he thought might be armed. But he said he did not see who fired the shots and did not know Paige. Earlier in the trial, jurors heard from Gerlock's girlfriend, who described the moments before the shooting and the chaos that followed. She testified that they were walking through the festival when shots rang out out and Gerlach was hit. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but Gerlach later died from his injuries. Court records show multiple arrests were made in the days following the shooting. In addition to Paige, Tough Joshua Smith and Shermichael Smith were all charged in connection with the incident, but only Paige is on trial. The rest of the defendants took plea deals in the case. Authorities have said the shooting stemmed from a dispute between groups and was not a random act of violence, though Gerlock, according to prosecutors, had no involvement in that conflict. Prosecutors have alleged that Page fired the initial shot when he drew a firearm from a backpack and fired from the fountain area down toward the ride area of the fairgrounds. According to court records, law enforcement recovered bullet casings near the fountain, which they believe Paige fired over six days of testimony. No witness has directly told jurors they saw Isaiah Page fire a gun. On February 12, jurors in the Harvest Homecoming trial were taken back to the scene of the shooting shooting to conduct a jury site visit. Prosecutors told the judge the visit could help jurors better understand distances and sight lines described during testimony. For now, jurors are continuing to hear testimony. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a man has now learned his sentence in a case involving the death of a pregnant woman whose body was found in the woods. A man has now learned his sentence in a case that began with the discovery of a pregnant woman's body inside a plastic storage tote in a wooded area of southwest Ohio on Thursday, February 12th. 52 year old James Rothenbush was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to complicity to tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 28 year old Brittany Fewer Storms Fewer Storms body was discovered on August 3, 2025 in a wooded area in Montgomery County, Ohio. Authorities said she'd been placed inside a plastic storage tote that had been sealed shut with screws. Investigators later determined that Feuer Storms had died days earlier inside a home in Middletown, Ohio, a residence connected to Rothenbush and another defendant in the case. According to law enforcement. Feuh Storms was pregnant at the time of her death and authorities have described the cause of death as an alleged overdose occurring under suspicious circumstances. Police said Rothenbush was one of three men charged in connection with what happened after Feuerstorms died. Court documents show that 47 year old Rick shepherd and 44 year old Walter Wade were also charged. According to statements provided to investigators, Feuer Storms died inside the Middletown home. Authorities allege that rather than reporting her death, Rothenbush and Shepherd kept her body inside the residence for several days. Shepard told police that he and Rothenbush kept Feuerstorms body in the bathtub of the home for four days after she died. Investigators said her body was wrapped in towels and a tarp before being placed inside a plastic storage tote. The tote was then sealed shut and later transported to a wooded area in neighboring Montgomery county where it was left. The body was eventually discovered on August 3, prompting an investigation that led detectives back to the Middletown residence. Authorities have said the three men failed to report Fear Storms death to police. During Thursday's sentencing hearing, the court addressed Rothenbush's role specifically in the concealment of the body. His guilty plea to complicity to tampering with evidence reflects his involvement in actions taken after Fewer Storms death. The charge relates to actions taken after her death, not the cause of her death itself, but centers on the handling and disposal of evidence tied to the case. At his sentencing hearing Friday, Rothenbush appeared remorseful and apologized. He told the judge that he was high on methamphetamine at the time of Feuerstorms death and quote, just didn't know what to do. He added, quote, I was scared to death. Feuerstorms brother Nathan Isaacs spoke in court and said, quote, she died in his house with my nephew. Isaacs went on to criticize the way Rothenbush handled the emergency. Isaac said, quote, to the fact that that person did not call when that happened and she laid in there in that tub for a few days and they planned doing God knows what to her body and to dispose of her body in a tote tells me that they're guilty of so much more. End quote. As for the remaining defendants, Shepard and Wade are expected to go before a jury next month. Prosecutors have indicated they'll present evidence related to the events inside the Middletown home as well as the movement of Few Storms's body to Montgomery. Rothenbush will now serve his 30 month sentence while proceedings continue for the other two defendants charged. Meanwhile in Massachusetts, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefan Diggs appeared in court Friday to face felony charges tied to an alleged dispute.
- [11:26]
ALMA Advertiser
A year from today, what would your dream private practice look like? Would you spend less time chasing claims or only working with clients who value your skill set? What if you had more time for yourself? ALMA empowers you to confidently accept insurance backed by an all in one EHR that simplifies scheduling, documentation and day to day practice operations. Your dream practice is closer than you think. Learn more about alma@helloalma.com getstarted real skin.
- [11:57]
Dermalogica Advertiser
Results start with one daily ritual meet Daily Microfoliant from Dermalogica. This iconic exfoliating powder activates with water to gently polish away dullness and unevenness texture. It leaves skin instantly smoother and more luminous while supporting your skin barrier. Formulated with professional expertise to deliver visible results daily, even on sensitive skin. Discover your healthiest skin today. Visit dermalogica.com and use code Smooth at checkout for an exclusive gift with your $65 purchase.
- [12:26]
Vanessa Richardson
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefan Diggs pleaded not guilty Friday to felony strangulation and other charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef. The allegations led to charges include felony strangulation. Diggs was arraigned in Dedham District Court in Massachusetts, where he formally entered the not guilty plea. One of Diggs attorneys, David Meyer, who withdrew from the case February 12, said in December 2025 that Diggs, quote, categorically denies these allegations. According to a police narrative included in court filings, a woman who works as a private chef for Diggs went to the Dedham Police Department on Dec. 16 to report an incident she said happened roughly two weeks. The alleged altercation occurred after the two had a conversation about money he owed her. Following the conversation, she claims, Diggs entered her bedroom and became angry. According to the police report, the woman alleged that Diggs smacked her across the face. She said that she tried to push him away. The male then tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck. Diggs attorney Michael Schuster, who represented him during the arraignment, spoke to reporters outside of the courthouse and categorically denied the allegations against his client. Schuster said, quote, he is completely innocent, adding that he expects Diggs to be exonerated. The New England Patriots also issued a statement back in December that read, quote, the New England Patriots are aware of the accusations that have been made regarding Stefan Diggs. The statement went on to say, quote, we support Stefan. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Diggs left the courtroom following the arraignment without having to pay bail and was ordered to stay away from his accuser. He did not speak to the media after the hearing, but in early January, shortly after the allegations surfaced, he told reporters that it had been a, quote, very emotional time. Diggs joined the Patriots as a free agent in March 2025 and remains on the team's active roster. The organization has not indicated any disciplinary action related to the charges. He's expecting to be back in court April 2 for pretrial hearing. And in international news, a sophisticated network managed to evade ticket fees at the Lou for a decade Nine people were detained in France on Thursday, February 12, as authorities investigate what they say was a years long ticketing fraud at the Louvre museum in Paris. French prosecutors say a long running ticket fraud scheme may have siphoned millions of euros from the Louvre's revenue in Paris. The Paris prosecutor's office said the case began after the museum filed a complaint in December 2024, prompting a formal judicial investigation. Arrests were carried out Tuesday. Prosecutors estimate the Louvre cost more than 10 million euros, roughly $11.8 million over the past decade. Among those detained were two Louvre employees, several tour guides and another person suspected of being the leader of the operation. Investigators say the case centers on the repeated reuse of admission tickets, allowing tour groups to enter the museum without properly paying required fees. According to prosecutors, the museum alerted investigators after noticing the repeated presence of two Chinese tour guides suspected of bringing groups into the museum by reusing the same tickets multiple times for different visitors. Other guides were later suspected of similar conduct. Authorities said surveillance, including wiretaps, showed tickets were repeatedly reused and those arrested had a strategy of splitting tour groups to avoid paying guide fees. The investigation also points to suspected cooperation from inside the museum, with some guides allegedly paying employees in cash to bypass ticket checks. A formal investigation was initiated in June into allegations that include organized fraud, money laundering, corruption and the use of falsified administrative documents. Authorities believe as many as 20 tour groups per day may have entered through the scheme, and financial investigators say more than €957,000 in cash has been seized, along with additional funds from bank accounts. Some of the proceeds are believed to have been invested in real estate in France and Dubai. Prosecutors added that similar ticket irregularities are also being examined at the palace of Versailles, though there are no publicly available details at this time.
- [17:17]
Carvana Advertiser
Hey Sal Hank, what's going on? We haven't worked a case in years. I just bought my car at Carvana and it was so easy. Too easy. Think something's up? You tell me. They got thousands of options, found a great car at a great price and it got delivered the next day. It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car and tank. Yeah, you're right. Case closed.
- [17:40]
Vanessa Richardson
Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply a year from today.
- [17:48]
ALMA Advertiser
What would your dream private practice look like? Would you spend less time chasing claims or only working with clients who value your skill set? What if you had a network to reach out to for questions or free continuing education? What if you had more time for for yourself? ALMA empowers you to confidently accept insurance backed by an all in one EHR that simplifies scheduling, documentation and day to day practice operations. With a network of engaged providers and free CE resources, ALMA makes it easy for you to build the practice of your dreams on your terms. Alma believes that when therapists get the support they need, mental health care gets better for everyone. Learn more about alma@helloalma.com get started. Your dream practice is closer than you think. Get started now@helloalma.com get started.
- [18:46]
Vanessa Richardson
What drives a person to kill? Is it uncontrollable rage? Overwhelming fear? Unbearable jealousy? Or is it something deeper? Something in the darkest corners of our.
- [18:59]
Dr. Tristan Ingalls
Psyche Every Monday and Thursday, the Crime House Original Podcast Serial Killers and Murderous Minds dives deep into the minds of history's most chilling murderers. From infamous serial killers to ruthless cult leaders, deadly exes and terrifying spree killers, I'm Dr. Tristan Ingalls, a licensed forensic psychologist. Along with Vanessa Richardson's immersive storytelling full of high stakes twists and turns, in every episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, I'll be providing expert analysis of the people involved, not just how they killed, but why.
- [19:36]
Vanessa Richardson
Serial Killers and Murderous Minds is a Crime House Studios original New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts. Lastly, let me tell you about what else is happening at Crime House today. Today on Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, the show examines the Brenda Delgado case, a story driven by rejection, fixation and the need to regain control. In 2015, prosecutors say Delgado became consumed by jealousy after her ex boyfriend began dating pediatric dentist Dr. Kendra Hatcher. What followed was not an impulsive confrontation. It was planning, surveillance, recruitment. Delgado allegedly involved others and offered money, culminating in Hatcher murder in a Dallas parking garage. The case reveals how grievance can harden into entitlement and entitlement into violence. But modern obsession often develops long before a crime scene. It develops digitally. Today we're looking at three real cyber stalking cases that show how technology becomes a tool for access, monitoring, intimidation and escalation. These are cases where online tactics weren't background details, they were central to the harm. Number one, Megan Meyer and targeted impersonation. In 2006, 13 year old Megan Meyer began messaging a boy named Josh Evans on MySpace. The account looked legitimate. The conversations felt authentic. Megan, who had struggled socially and emotionally, believed she was forming a connection. The technique used against her was calculated impersonation. The Josh Evans profile was created by Lori Drew, the mother of Megan's former friend. Along with others, the purpose was to gain access to Megan's private thoughts and emotional state. A fake identity allowed the adults behind the account to bypass the natural barriers that would have existed in real life. Online impersonation is one of the most effective cyberstalking tools because it lowers defenses. The victim believes they're interacting with someone safe. Trust develops quickly in digital spaces, especially among teenagers. That trust can then be weaponized. Once Megan was emotionally invested, the messages shifted. They became hostile and humiliating. The same channel that created intimacy was used to destabilize her. The harassment wasn't random public bullying. It was targeted psychological manipulation delivered privately and then amplified. There was no physical surveillance, no following her to school. The stalking existed entirely through a constructed digital Persona designed to monitor and emotionally control her reactions. Megan died by suicide shortly after the final messages. The case exposed how fake accounts can be used not just to harass, but to infiltrate someone's internal life. It forced conversations about online anonymity, accountability and the power imbalance that exists when someone manipulates another person's emotions from behind a fabricated identity. Number two Jane Clough and digital coercive control. Jane clough was a 26 year old nurse in Blackpool, England. After ending her relationship with Jonathan Vass due to abuse, she prepared to testify against him in court. When a victim leaves, digital stalking often becomes the primary method of continued control. In Jane's case, Vass repeatedly contacted her through calls and messages after the relationship ended. These weren't attempts at reconciliation. They were persistent intrusions meant to reassert dominance and undermine her sense of separation. Cyber stalking within domestic abuse contexts frequently operates as coercive control. The abuser uses communication technology to remain present in the victim's daily life. Even without physical proximity, they can demand attention, monitor responses and remind the victim that boundaries are meaningless. Vass was arrested and released on bail while awaiting trial. Despite the documented harassment and the clear pattern of escalating behavior, he still retained freedom of movement. In July 2010, he tracked Jane to the hospital where she worked and murdered her in the parking lot. Jane's case illustrates how digital harassment is rarely isolated. It's part of an escalating pattern. The cyber stalking maintained psychological pressure during the period when she was attempting to assert independence and cooperate with authorities. After her death, her family campaigned for changes in UK bail law, arguing that stalking behavior and prior abuse should weigh more heavily in release decisions. Legal reforms followed, strengthening protections for victims facing coercive control and stalking. Her case remains a stark example of how digital contact can function as a bridge between separation and violence. Number three Sandra Bullock and online fixation escalating offline in 2014, Joshua Corbett broke into Sandra Bullock's Los Angeles home. While she was inside, she hid until police arrived. The break in was the culmination of a documented pattern of online fixation. Corbett had sent repeated digital communications directed at Bullock and attempted to contact her through social media platforms. Investigators later discovered journals and writings filled with obsessive references to her, reflecting a delusional belief in a connection. Cyber stalking often begins with repeated attempts to close perceived distance. Public figures are particularly vulnerable because their online presence creates a sense of familiarity. An obsessive individual can monitor posts, appearances, and interviews, constructing an imagined relationship from curated public content. Digital communication provides a testing ground. The offender sends messages and interprets the lack of response as part of the narrative they've built. Over time, the act of reaching out becomes normalized in their mind. The digital boundary feels permeable. In this case, that normalization escalated into physical intrusion. Corbett was charged with stalking and burglary. The case ended years later during a police standoff, when he died by suicide. The relevance here is not celebrity it is escalation. The digital behavior creates a pattern of fixation that moved steadily closer to physical access. Across these cases, the techniques differ, but the structure is similar. Impersonation allows access under false pretenses. Persistent messaging reinforces control after separation. Repeated digital intrusion builds entitlement. Public online visibility creates perceived intimacy. Cyberstalking also often includes tactics not immediately visible to outsiders creating multiple fake accounts after being blocked, monitoring location tags, harvesting information from public posts, contacting friends or family members to maintain connection, and exploiting shared digital histories. Technology lowers the cost of surveillance. An offender no longer needs to physically follow someone to know where they've been. Social media posts, posts, tagged photos, and check ins provide movement patterns voluntarily. Messaging platforms provide immediate channels for harassment. Email and direct messages create direct lines into private space. Victims frequently describe cyberstalking as inescapable. Blocking one account leads to another. Appearing silence does not deter the contact. The harassment can continue across platforms, blending into everyday digital life. In the Brenda Delgado case fixation centered on a former partner and his new relationship. In many modern cases, that fixation is fed by constant digital visibility. Seeing photos, updates, and interactions can intensify jealousy and grievance. Monitoring becomes habitual. Habit can become obsession. Cyberstalking does not always lead to physical violence, but when violence does occur, digital behavior is often part of the documented lead up. Obsession adapts to the tools available today. Those tools include social media profiles, messaging apps, and anonymous accounts that allow someone to watch, contact, and intrude without immediate consequence. The cases of Megan Meyer, Jane Clough, and Sandra Bullock show how cyberstalking operates in different contexts Impersonation to manipulate, persistent digital contact to maintain control and online fixation escalating into physical trespass. For the full story of Brenda Delgado, including the psychological dynamics behind her fixation and how the investigation unfolded, head over to Serial Killers and Murderous Minds for today's episode. Understanding how obsession develops is part of understanding how it can escalate. You've been listening to crime house 247 bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more developing stories. Stay safe, and thanks for listening.
- [29:22]
LifeLock Advertiser
It's tax season, and at LifeLock, we know you're tired of numbers, but here's a big one you need to hear. Billions. That's the amount of money in refunds the IRS has flagged for possible identity fraud. Now here's another big number. 100 million. That's how many data points LifeLock monitors every second. If your identity is stolen, we'll fix it. Guaranteed. One last big number. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast for the threats you can't control. Terms apply.
- [29:52]
Vanessa Richardson
What drives a person to murder? Find out from a licensed forensic psychologist on Serial Killers and Murderous Minds, a Crime House original podcast. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Follow wherever you get your podcasts.