Dr. Insanity Podcast

Episode: College Killer Thinks He's Getting Away With It

Date: November 12, 2024
Host: Dr Insanity (with narration from Mike and Dirty Keith)

Episode Overview

This chilling episode dives into the harrowing true crime case of Isaac Pence, a young man who brutally murdered a college student, Charles Starner, during a chaotic party at a cabin in Ohio. Through police bodycam audio, witness interviews, and expert narration, the episode unpacks the events leading to the murder, the subsequent investigation, and the psychological dynamics between the killer, his girlfriend, and the group of friends forever changed by senseless violence. The episode is a blend of true crime storytelling, insightful commentary, and memorable detective interrogations that highlight failures of character, the nature of abusers, and a tragic loss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Cabin Party Turns Deadly

[01:17-04:22]

• Dalton Flagg’s 23rd birthday is celebrated at a rented cabin in Hocking County, Ohio, with college friends and family.
• Isaac Pence (20), described as beligerently drunk and aggressive, is present with his girlfriend Sabra (Sabre).
• A fistfight escalates: Isaac throws the first punch, is pushed back, and gets into his car.
• In a blur of violence, Isaac retrieves a knife and stabs Charles Starner six times (neck and back), then flees with Sabra.
• Witness Hannah, an EMS student, is unable to save Charles despite desperate attempts; he dies before medics arrive.
• Initial confusion among police: everyone at the scene is considered a potential suspect.

Notable Quote:

“Over college students watched as Isaac viciously took the life of their friend, Charles Starner … Isaac thinks he's getting away with it.” (Mike, [01:17])

2. Witness Statements & Early Investigations

[05:17-11:47]

• Police quickly separate key witnesses: Hannah and James, both covered in blood from trying to save Charles.
• Hannah describes a brawl stemming from drunken bravado, with escalating tension; "Somebody said, gun, and that's when I was like, I'm definitely gonna stay in here." ([07:11])
• Both confirm Isaac escalated the violence and was the aggressor ("He went straight for the neck...very fast, very vigorously." – Hannah, [07:47])
• Party host Dalton details Isaac’s prior violence against his own mother and Dalton's sister Sabra: "Isaac's had issues in the past. He's put his hands on my sister and ... his mom." ([11:36])
• Police learn Isaac's history of abusive, unpredictable behavior.

3. Tracking the Fugitives

[12:29-15:47]

• Isaac and Sabra visit two locations after the murder: friend Justin Sloan’s house, where they hide the knife; then Sabra’s mother’s hotel.
• Sabra’s shocking detachment: "She just watched her boyfriend stab someone to death, all she cares about is getting her belongings back before work the next day." (Mike, [16:06])

4. Crucial Video Evidence Emerges

[16:40-18:25]

• The next day, Hannah and James deliver a cell phone video that captured the stabbing. The evidence is damning: “I captured the entire stabbing … she [Sabra] grabs him and she tosses it onto his seat.” (Hannah, [17:23])
• Sabra may have handed Isaac the murder weapon.

5. The Interrogations – Lies, Trauma, and Manipulation

Isaac’s First Interview

[21:55-29:17]

• Isaac weaves a self-serving narrative, claiming self-defense and portraying himself as a victim: "I didn't try to do it to physically hurt anybody really bad, but... just to poke, like, hey, I have a knife." ([27:30])
• Contradicts witness accounts, stating “They all decided they were gonna try me” and lies about the number of times he stabbed Charles.
• Downplays his intoxication, omits acts of aggression.

Sabra’s Interview

[30:06-40:04]

• Sabra insists Isaac “is not that type of person,” denying his violent nature, despite records of domestic abuse.
• Detectives attempt to break through her trauma-bonded denial:

  “If you’re trying to protect this man, you're gonna go down as an accomplice for murder.” ([36:27])

• Ultimately, she admits helping hide the knife after being confronted.

6. The Final Interrogation – Breaking the Killer

[41:08-49:40]

• Detectives leverage inconsistencies and emotional appeals:

  “Your honesty … is all you have left. I have found about 40 loopholes in your story, and I know the truth.” ([41:28])

• Reveals tragic impact:

  “A mother lost her son, a father lost his son … Several friends lost another friend who bled out at the hands of someone you care about.” ([42:19])

• Isaac begins to admit more but maintains partial memory loss, culminating in his arrest for murder.

7. Justice & Sentencing

[50:19-51:13]

• Sabra pleads guilty to obstructing justice, gets up to 12 months in prison.
• Isaac is convicted of murder, felonious assault, and evidence tampering:

  “… sentenced to 18 years to life in prison, where he will not see the light of day for a long, long time.” (Mike, [51:08])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Isaac’s Violence

  “Isaac's had issues in the past. He's put his hands on my sister and he's just literally went to jail three months ago for putting his hands on my mom.” – Dalton ([11:36])

• On the Party’s Chaos

  “Tonight was just not right … I trust my gut feeling. And that was terrifying.” – Hannah ([09:07])

• Sabra’s Denial

  “He’s not the type of person, he's not violent... I know he's not that type of person.” – Sabra ([31:15])

• Detective’s Confrontation

  “What you did last night is fucked up. You killed somebody.” – Detective ([42:12])

• On the Aftermath

  “Charlie didn't die right away, but … his kid isn't the only one left without a dad. Because Draco and Waylon aren't gonna have their dad either. They're not gonna have their mom either. She went to jail today.” – Detective ([49:40])

Key Timestamps

• [01:17] — Crime and chaos begin; stabbing occurs
• [07:47] — Detailed witness description of the stabbing
• [11:36] — Dalton reveals Isaac’s violent history
• [16:06] — Sabra’s disturbing reaction to the murder
• [17:23] — Hannah presents crucial phone footage
• [27:30] — Isaac insists it was "just to poke" people
• [36:27] — Detectives escalate pressure on Sabra
• [41:28] — Final confrontation with Isaac
• [49:40] — Detective summarizes the emotional devastation
• [51:08] — Sentencing and aftermath details

Tone & Style

The episode is delivered in a gripping, narrative-driven true crime format, balancing dark humor, incredulity at the suspects’ lies, and deep empathy for the victim and those left behind. The hosts and detectives use candid, sometimes blunt language to confront the brutal reality of the crime and the psychology behind the participants' actions.

Summary

This episode of Dr. Insanity is a haunting account of a murder committed by a young man amidst the backdrop of toxic relationships, substance abuse, and a tragically preventable chain of events. Through methodical police work, powerful witness accounts, and the unraveling of lies during interrogations, justice is ultimately served—but at great cost to all involved.