Podcast Summary: Dark Downeast – "The Murder of Raymond Green (Massachusetts)"

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Murder of Raymond Green," investigative journalist Kylie Lowe delves into the enigmatic and tragic case of Raymond Greene, a dedicated facility manager at Belchertown State School in Massachusetts. Released on March 6, 2025, this episode meticulously unpacks the circumstances surrounding Greene's murder, the ensuing investigation, the controversial conviction of Kenneth Phoenix, and the ongoing debates about his guilt.

Background on Raymond Greene

Raymond Anthony Greene was a 30-year-old facility manager at the Belchertown State School, where he oversaw maintenance, carpentry, and masonry for a staff of over 60 employees. Hired in the spring of 1986, Ray was known for his strict but effective management style, aiming to streamline operations and improve departmental efficiency. Despite some tensions due to his rigorous enforcement of rules, Ray was respected and well-liked by many of his colleagues.

Ray's personal history revealed a man who overcame significant hardships. Growing up in a large family in Charleston, South Carolina, Ray faced poverty and the loss of his parents at a young age. He moved to Massachusetts to be with his siblings and pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in marine engineering from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1977. His professional journey included stints as a merchant marine and various roles in California and New England before settling into his position at the Belchertown State School.

The Crime: Details of the Murder

On August 4, 1986, during the lunch hour, Raymond Greene was brutally murdered at the Belchertown State School. According to reports by Lori Loisel for the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Ray had just purchased a meatball sub and soda before returning to his office in the power plant building. While walking back, he engaged in a brief conversation with colleagues, appearing both content and preoccupied with disciplinary meetings he'd recently conducted.

At approximately 12:25 PM, Ray entered his office to enjoy lunch at his desk. However, someone had sinister plans. An assailant approached Ray, raised a gun, and fired multiple shots. The attack concluded with Ray lying dead in a pool of blood, as discovered by his secretary, Sally, minutes later. The entire incident unfolded within a narrow 35-minute window, complicating eyewitness accounts due to the loud machinery operating in the building, which likely drowned out the sound of gunshots.

Notable Quote:

"I'm Kylie Lowe and this is the case of Raymond Greene on Dark Downeast." [09:45]

Initial Investigation

The investigation into Ray's murder was immediate but complicated by several factors. The Belchertown State School, sprawling over a 785-acre campus with over 30 buildings and an intricate network of underground tunnels, presented a labyrinthine environment for law enforcement to navigate. Despite the school's large staff of 1,400 employees, the lack of direct witnesses and the potential for the perpetrator to blend in or escape through the tunnels made the case particularly challenging.

Key pieces of evidence included:

• A bullet recovered from Ray's office.
• Two pairs of sunglasses, one belonging to Ray, with a piece embedded in a bullet wound.
• Fragments of a green scrubbing pad found on Ray's face.
• A crumpled brown paper bag and a green scoring pad discovered outside the tunnel entrance.

Notable Quote:

"The murder weapon was believed to be a .22 caliber pistol, though it had not been recovered at the scene." [12:15]

Evidence Collected

Forensic analysis played a crucial role in the investigation. The green scoring pad and paper bag found near the tunnels were determined to have been used as a makeshift silencer and to manipulate bullet characteristics, respectively. A significant breakthrough was the discovery of a fingerprint in a drop of blood on the paper bag. Despite initial computer comparisons yielding no matches, manual analysis eventually linked the fingerprint to Kenneth Phoenix, a maintenance staff member.

Notable Quote:

"The fingerprint found in the drop of blood was among over 60 individual prints at the scene and on the paper bag." [18:30]

Suspects: David and Kenneth Phoenix

As the investigation progressed, two primary suspects emerged:

1. David (Alias Used for Privacy): An employee who had a known conflict with Ray. David had reportedly brought a shotgun to work out of frustration with Ray's management. Although David provided an alibi, inconsistencies in his timeline and the nature of the evidence against him raised suspicions.

2. Kenneth Phoenix: A 29-year-old maintenance worker with direct interactions with Ray. Kenneth had recently faced increased scrutiny and stricter policies under Ray's management, including being barred from running errands and being assigned menial tasks. Additionally, Kenneth possessed a key to access the school's tunnels, providing a plausible means to dispose of evidence.

Notable Quote:

"Raymond was recruited because he was new, young, and black," said Ray's brother, Leonard Greene. [20:10]

Trial and Conviction

In July 1987, Kenneth Phoenix was arrested and charged with Ray's murder. The prosecution's case hinged on the bloody fingerprint found on the paper bag and the blood type analysis, which indicated the presence of Ray's blood but excluded Kenneth's. Kenneth pleaded not guilty, maintaining his innocence and asserting that another individual was responsible.

During the trial, the prosecution emphasized the evidence linking Kenneth to the crime scene:

• Bloody Fingerprint: Kenneth's fingerprint was found on the paper bag believed to be used in the murder.
• Proximity and Opportunity: Kenneth had access to the tunnels and was present in areas close to the murder site during the time of the crime.

The defense countered by introducing David as an alternative suspect and challenging the reliability of the evidence. They highlighted inconsistencies in the timeline and questioned the integrity of the forensic analysis.

After approximately six hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Kenneth Phoenix of first-degree murder on June 3, 1988, sentencing him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Notable Quote:

"The defendant has bloody fingerprints on the bag," stated Assistant DA David Angier during the trial. [30:45]

Appeals and Current Status

Kenneth Phoenix has exhausted numerous appeals, all of which have failed to overturn his conviction. His legal challenges have focused on disputing the forensic evidence and alleging procedural injustices during the investigation and trial. Despite DNA testing later indicating that the blood on the paper bag was consistent with Ray's and not Kenneth's, these findings were not sufficient to exonerate him legally.

Supporters of Kenneth argue that the evidence was misinterpreted or mishandled and that racial bias may have influenced the investigation and conviction process. However, the courts have upheld the original verdict, and Kenneth remains incarcerated at the North Central Correctional Institute in Gardner, Massachusetts.

Notable Quote:

"Kenneth Phoenix remains incarcerated at North Central Correctional Institute in Gardner, Massachusetts." [40:15]

Legacy and Reflections

Raymond Greene is remembered by his family and friends as a hardworking, devoted individual who was making significant strides in his professional life. His murder not only left a void in the Belchertown State School community but also raised critical questions about justice, racial bias, and the integrity of forensic evidence in criminal convictions.

Kylie's thorough investigation highlights the complexities and potential flaws within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for continual scrutiny and advocacy for those who may have been wrongfully convicted.

Notable Quote:

"Ray was a role model, particularly for children of color, a man who came from nothing and got ahead and was bound to do more." – Reginald Greene [42:50]

Conclusion

"The Murder of Raymond Green" episode of Dark Downeast serves as a poignant exploration of a case fraught with unanswered questions and unresolved tensions. Through detailed narration and insightful interviews, Kylie Lowe sheds light on the enduring quest for justice in the face of adversity and the lingering shadows cast by Raymond Greene's untimely death.

For more information and to access source materials related to this case, listeners are encouraged to visit darkdowneast.com.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Introduction of the Case:

  "I'm Kylie Lowe and this is the case of Raymond Greene on Dark Down East." [09:45]

• Evidence Explanation:

  "The fingerprint found in the drop of blood was among over 60 individual prints at the scene and on the paper bag." [18:30]

• Family's Perspective on Motive:

  "Raymond was targeted because he was new, young, and black," said Ray's brother, Leonard Greene. [20:10]

• Prosecution’s Key Evidence:

  "The defendant has bloody fingerprints on the bag." – Assistant DA David Angier [30:45]

• Current Status of the Convicted:

  "Kenneth Phoenix remains incarcerated at North Central Correctional Institute in Gardner, Massachusetts." [40:15]

• Family's Remembrance of Ray:

  "Ray was a role model, particularly for children of color, a man who came from nothing and got ahead and was bound to do more." – Reginald Greene [42:50]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Dark Downeast not only recounts the harrowing details of Raymond Greene's murder but also invites listeners to ponder the broader implications of justice and the human stories intertwined within true crime narratives. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking truth and accountability, ensuring that the voices of the affected are heard and remembered.