Felonious Florida: "It's in the Blood | 4" – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: It's in the Blood | 4
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Podcast Series: Felonious Florida
Host: David Schutz

In the fourth episode of Felonious Florida's sixth season, titled "It's in the Blood | 4," host David Schutz delves deep into one of the most harrowing years in the investigation of Florida's elusive criminal known as the "Pillowcase Rapist." This episode meticulously unpacks the relentless pursuit by Detective Dave Simmons and his team as they navigate through a maze of false leads, forensic breakthroughs, and escalating violence.

Introduction

The episode opens with a gripping recount of the brutal murder of Corinne Burns on May 30, 1985, in Miramar, Florida. David Schutz sets the stage by describing the chaotic discovery of Corinne's lifeless body and the mounting suspicion that falls on her husband, father, and son-in-law. However, with their alibis intact, the case remains unsolved, propelling Detective Dave Simmons into a relentless hunt for the true perpetrator.

The Most Intense Year: 1985

Key Highlights:

• Mounting Evidence: By 1985, Detective Simmons has been tracking the Pillowcase Rapist for four years, with the criminal amassing an alarming number of victims.
• Expansion of the Investigation: Recognizing the limitations of his five-member team, the police department forms a task force of 60 detectives to tackle the burgeoning spree of assaults and murders.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([01:51]): "They called me not knowing whether the pillowcase rapist now had finally killed someone."

Key Suspects and Investigations

1. Jeffrey Patrick Davidson

Overview: Jeffrey Davidson, a 34-year-old tow truck driver living near Bermuda Villas, quickly becomes the first major suspect after surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts place him at the scene of Corinne's murder.

Investigation Details:

• Initial Denials: Davidson initially denies any involvement, despite his proximity to the crime scene.
• Inconsistencies Uncovered: Detective Simmons uncovers discrepancies in Davidson's alibi, particularly regarding his knowledge of the fake note found on Corinne's door.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([13:47]): "It was too, too brutal, too, too gruesome, unless the guy just went off his rocker."

Despite Davidson's eventual confession to Corinne's murder, forensic analysis reveals that his blood type does not match the rare subtype associated with the Pillowcase Rapist, exonerating him from being the serial attacker.

2. Michael Gersley (The AC Rapist)

Overview: Michael Gersley, a 30-year-old airport worker with a history of sexual offenses, emerges as another suspect due to his similar modus operandi and presence at previous crime scenes.

Investigation Details:

• Confession and Denial: Gersley confesses to multiple rapes but maintains his innocence concerning the Pillowcase Rapist.
• Blood Typing Evidence: Laboratory tests prove that Gersley's blood type does not match that found at the crime scenes, thereby eliminating him as the culprit.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([19:36]): "He was a rapist that digressed and turned into just a flasher exhibitionist and Peeping Tom."

3. Pedro Gonzalez

Overview: Pedro Gonzalez, a former Miami police officer, surfaces as a suspect after making bizarre claims about being the Pillowcase Rapist and exhibiting suspicious behavior.

Investigation Details:

• Behavioral Red Flags: Gonzalez's admission to stalking the case and scaring his girlfriend in a costume raise suspicions.
• Forensic Evidence: Despite his confessions, blood type testing confirms that Gonzalez does not possess the unique blood subtype linked to the Pillowcase Rapist.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([24:50]): "So he had successfully wasted about five full days of our investigative time working with him and interviewing him at length, only to find out that he was probably trying to build an insanity defense for his murder case that he was in jail for."

4. Ronald Thomas Beasley

Overview: Ronald Thomas Beasley, a 38-year-old landscaper with a tumultuous past, becomes the focus of the investigation after his fingerprints are linked to multiple rape scenes.

Investigation Details:

• Modus Operandi Alignment: Beasley's methods closely mirror those of the Pillowcase Rapist, including breaking into homes under the guise of maintenance work.
• Blood Typing Confusion: Initial forensic reports mistakenly attribute the rare blood subtype to Beasley. However, further analysis clarifies that the blood type matched the victims' blood, not Beasley's, thereby clearing him as the Pillowcase Rapist.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([37:53]): "He took us around to countless places where he had broken in and done things."

Challenges in the Investigation

Detective Simmons and his team face formidable obstacles, including:

• Forensic Limitations: The reliance on blood typing, a relatively new forensic technique at the time, both aids and complicates the investigation.
• False Confessions: Multiple suspects confess to crimes they did not commit, leading to dead ends and delayed progress.
• Continuing Violence: As the investigation unfolds, the Pillowcase Rapist escalates his attacks, targeting increasingly vulnerable victims, including elderly women.

Forensic Techniques Employed

A critical tool in the investigation is blood typing. The Pillowcase Rapist is identified by an ultra-rare blood antigen found in his semen, shared by less than 1% of the population. This genetic marker becomes the cornerstone of Detective Simmons' strategy to narrow down suspects and eliminate false leads.

Notable Quote:

Dave Simmons ([20:03]): "The pillowcase rapist's ultra rare blood type had become Detective Simmons' most valuable tool in the investigation."

Ongoing Threat and Unresolved Cases

Despite apprehending and convicting several suspects for individual crimes, the true identity of the Pillowcase Rapist remains elusive by the end of the episode. As September 1986 arrives, the region remains on high alert, with the actual serial rapist continuing his spree undetected.

Continuing Attacks:

• Escalated Violence: Victims endure increasingly violent and threatening assaults, with the perpetrator becoming more brazen in his methods.
• Missed Opportunities: Critical moments, such as the attack on Alma, highlight procedural failures that hinder timely intervention and potential capture.

Conclusion and Cliffhanger

The episode culminates with the unresolved tension surrounding the Pillowcase Rapist, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats. As Detective Simmons grapples with mounting frustration and the urgency for a breakthrough intensifies, the stage is set for the next installment, promising deeper insights and potential resolutions.

Teaser for Next Episode:

David Schutz ([40:09]): "The suspect's face is everywhere. And then he vanishes. That's next on episode five of Felonious Florida."

Key Takeaways

• Perseverance in Investigation: Detective Simmons exemplifies unwavering dedication despite numerous setbacks and false leads.
• Forensic Evolution: The use of blood typing marks a significant advancement in criminal investigations, though it comes with its own set of challenges.
• Impact of Violence: The brutal nature of the crimes underscores the profound effects on victims, their families, and the broader community.

Notable Quotes Recap

• Dave Simmons ([09:40]): "We hadn't experienced it yet, but some of the cases were getting a little bit more physical in terms of the jabbing and lightly slashing with his knife."
• Dave Simmons ([16:17]): "He took us around to countless places where he had broken in and done things."
• Dave Simmons ([20:03]): "The pillowcase rapist's ultra rare blood type had become Detective Simmons' most valuable tool in the investigation."

This episode serves as a testament to the complexities of criminal investigations and the relentless pursuit of justice amidst a web of deceit and horror. Listeners are left anticipating the next chapter in this chilling true crime saga.