Summary of "The Cotton Club Murder | Hollywood Ending | Episode 6"
Release Date: January 6, 2025
Podcast Series: Hollywood & Crime
Host: Wondery
Introduction
In the gripping sixth episode of Wondery's Hollywood & Crime series, titled "The Cotton Club Murder: Hollywood Ending," listeners are taken deep into the murky waters of Hollywood's darker side. The episode unravels the complex web surrounding the 1983 murder of Roy Radin, a missing variety show producer, and the ensuing investigation that entangled notable Hollywood figures, leading to a high-stakes trial.
Discovery of Roy Radin's Murder
The story begins on June 10, 1983, when Roy Radin's decomposing body is discovered in a remote canyon near Los Angeles. Initially labeled as a possible suicide, the autopsy reveals inconsistencies, including the improbable bullet trajectory, indicating foul play.
Traci Patton narrates:
"His right hand gripped a .44 caliber magnum. A bullet hole had ripped through his head. Blood soaked through the man's robe... it would take more than five years... to unlock the truth." (00:00)
Investigation and Suspects
Detectives Bill Stoner and Carlos Avila spearhead the investigation, which soon implicates Lainey Jacobs Greenberger, Roy Radin's widow. Lainey, who had recently left Los Angeles with her son and later vanished, becomes a key suspect. The investigation also surfaces connections to former producer Robert Evans and Radin's troubled past.
Detective Bill Stoner explains:
"Laney's got to know she's a suspect. It means she's going to be on the run, maybe even leave the country." (05:32)
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
After months of meticulous undercover work, including the pivotal role of informant William Ryder, Lainey is apprehended under suspicious circumstances in Florida. Her arrest unfolds dramatically when Detective Stoner presents her with an arrest warrant, revealing her involvement in Radin's murder.
Detective Bill Stoner announces:
"I have a warrant for your arrest, Mrs. Greenberger. You are wanted in Los Angeles to answer charges in the 1983 murder of Roy Alexander Radon." (12:20)
The Trial
The courtroom drama intensifies as District Attorney David Kahn lays out a compelling case against Lainey and her accomplices. Robert Evans, a prominent movie producer, faces scrutiny, and his testimony becomes a focal point of contention. The prosecution presents incriminating evidence, including undercover recordings and witness testimonies linking Lainey to the murder-for-hire plot.
DA David Kahn states during his opening:
"Lainey Greenberger was angry about being cut out of the profits from the Cotton Club movie deal... She also suspected Raiden had orchestrated the theft of $1 million in cocaine and cash... This prompted her to order Raiden's murder." (30:37)
Defense attorney Ed Shohat counters by arguing that Lainey was framed and that the true mastermind was drug kingpin Milan Bellachasis. Shohat's strategy involves introducing Tim Whitehead as a new witness to shift the blame away from Lainey.
Detective Bill Stoner asserts during defense arguments:
"Lainey Greenberger was set up and used. She was literally and figuratively framed for the murder of Roy Raiden." (31:02)
Verdict and Aftermath
After a lengthy trial marked by intense witness examinations and strategic courtroom maneuvers, the jury delivers its verdict. Bill Mentzer and Alex Marty are convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, while Lainey Greenberger and Bob Lowe receive second-degree murder convictions. Lainey faces life imprisonment, marking a tragic end to her aspirations for power and control within Hollywood's elite circles.
Traci Patton concludes:
"Laney Jacobs Greenberger... will also spend the rest of her life in prison." (49:07)
Conclusion
Nearly four decades after Roy Radin's murder, the case remains a seminal part of Hollywood's true crime history. The episode highlights the enduring impact of the case on those involved, including retired detectives, the convicted individuals, and Robert Evans, whose career never fully recovered. The story serves as a stark reminder of the corrosive effects of ambition and the lengths individuals will go to secure their place in the glamorous yet perilous world of Hollywood.
Traci Patton reflects:
"Roy Radin's close friend and assistant Jonathan Lawson experienced depression in the years following Raiden's death... Laney is now 77 years old... Though no one was ever charged in the death of Laney's husband, Larry Greenberger." (49:07)
This episode masterfully intertwines personal ambitions, criminal endeavors, and the relentless pursuit of justice, painting a vivid picture of the complexities behind one of Hollywood's most infamous crimes.