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- [00:01]
Tracy Patton
Wondery plus subscribers can binge all episodes of Hollywood and Crime the Cotton Club Murder early and ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Laney Jacobs had a pounding headache. A trip to Vegas with friends on a private jet had been the perfect getaway. But the endless supply of coke and top shelf liquor caught up with her. Now all she craved was her own bed and sleep. It was early Monday, April 4, 1983. Her limo crept through the quiet neighborhood of Sherman Oaks, California, then stopped in front of her house. Once she was inside, Laney kicked off her shoes. She headed to the nursery to check on her baby, 5 month old, Dax, still fast asleep. Even her nanny, Miriam, hadn't stirred yet. One more task to do before she could crash. One of her distributors was going to drop by later for a pickup. She needed to set aside a stack of kilos from the garage safe. It was quiet as she flipped on the light. Her Mercedes and Porsche sat gleaming in their parking spots. She headed for the storage closet where she kept a hidden safe. Then she froze. The door to the closet hung open. It was always closed. Laney raced over and slid open the panel to the safe, then spun the combination. There should have been 11 kilos of coke inside. Instead, it was empty. Laney sprinted upstairs in a panic. She had another safe in her bedroom hidden inside a wal, but when she flung open her door, her stomach dropped. The door to that safe was wide open, too. And $270,000 in cash, also gone. Lainey paced across the room and rubbed her temples. This was a nightmare. She purchased the coke from Colombians on the come, which meant they sold it to her without any cash up front. Her job was to sell it and pay them back with a profit. They wouldn't care whether the merchandise was stolen. They just wanted their money. The street value of 11 kilos was almost $900,000. And that wasn't counting the 270 grand. Over a million dollars in drugs and cash stolen. Lainey thought hard. She'd have to call Milan Belachas in Miami. He'd be livid. Plus, the Colombians needed to be. She felt a wave of dread. If Laney didn't find the culprit and the cocaine, she could end up paying with her life. But Laney already knew who robbed her, and she vowed to rain down holy hell on him and anyone else involved with this fiasco. This episode is brought to you by Audible, your destination for best selling audiobooks, exclusive Audible originals and more. New members can try audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com cotton or text cotton to 500500 the other day a friend started.
- [03:45]
Carl
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- [04:46]
Tracy Patton
From Wondry. I'm Tracy Patton along with my co host Josh Lucas and this is Hollywood and crime. The Cotton Club Murder in our last episode, Sheriff's homicide detectives identified another person of interest in Roy Radin's death. Bill Menser. After Menser was arrested for drug trafficking, Detective Carlos Avila discovered a photograph linking Menser to the location where Roy Radin's body was found. But real evidence was still elusive. Meanwhile, Roy and Laney have struck a tentative deal with legendary Hollywood producer Bob Evans to co produce the Cotton Club. This is episode three, the Heist.
- [05:45]
Carlos Avila
Carlos Avila hangs up his desk phone, then takes a deep breath to fight back his frustration. It's October 1983, almost four months since Roy Raiden was found shot to death just a couple of weeks ago. Avila thought he was building a strong case against Lainey Jacobs and possibly Bill Menser. He has photos placing Menser at Roy Radin's body dump site. He knows Menser rented the limo that picked Laney and Roy up on the night of the murder. And in a search of Menser's apartment, a car titled to a different vehicle surfaced. It was signed by Laney on the day Roy died and transferred ownership to someone named Bob Lowe. Lowe had been Arrested alongside Menser in a recent drug bust. The cherry on top was going to be Menser himself. He had cocaine charges hanging over his head. Avila thought it was a sure bet that Menser would talk to get a plea deal. But then, bam. He got his drug case tossed out for illegal search and seizure. He's a free man. Courtesy of his lawyer, Frank Rubino. The same lawyer Laney hired. They can't even talk to Bob Lowe. His charges were dropped, too. Despite the setback, Avila and his partner, Willy Ahn, took the evidence they had to the DA but that was the call Avila just got. The DA Said they don't have enough to build a case. Avila heads over to AN and breaks the news. An shakes his head. Both detectives go silent. They know what this means. It's official. Their case just hit a brick wall. An entire year goes by. New cases crowd Avila's desk. Laney is still MIA and there are no fresh leads to chase. Then Avila gets worse news. Willy Ahn passes away in October of 1984 from a brain tumor. Ahn kept working the case even as he got sick. He was a good partner and a good cop. Dealt a lousy blow. Avila isn't sure where else to turn. He can't help but think the Roy Raiden investigation has died. Alongside his partner.
- [08:17]
Tracy Patton
Laney poured three fingers of rum into a glass. She gulped it down, but the burning liquor did little to ease her stress. Hours had passed since she discovered the break in, and she'd been on the phone nonstop. First she called Milan with the disastrous news. His voice had turned icy with anger. Who did it? He demanded. Laney didn't hesitate. It was Talley. Tally Rogers, their once reliable courier, had vanished. Laney's frantic calls to him had gone straight to his answering service. And her nanny. Miriam confirmed he had been at the house the previous day. But Laney knew exactly why. Tally had betrayed her. Just days before the theft, they'd gotten into an explosive argument. Talley was getting 20 grand a trip to drive the coke from Miami to L. A. But he insisted on a bump to 30 grand. Laney refused, and he stormed off in a rage. She figured he'd get over it. She was wrong. Tally was probably holed up somewhere with the stolen product and her money. She hung up from Milan, promising that she'd find a solution. In the meantime, he would handle the Colombians. But he expected Laney to find Talley. Otherwise, he said, some unwanted guests could pay her a visit. The Colombians. Laney's next call was to Betty Rogers. Talley's wife, Betty, had been part of her Vegas crew. But she left the hotel abruptly before Laney's departure. The timing of it seemed too convenient. But Betty swore Tally hadn't told her anything. She claimed their marriage was on the rocks. She had no idea where he could be. Laney hung up, not believing a word she said. Betty wasn't the only dead end. Nobody, it seemed, had a clue as to Tally's whereabouts. Laney drummed her fingers nervously. Then a thought struck her. Tally had been crashing at the Regency, the same hotel where Roy stayed. Since then, they'd become the best of pals. Partying and snorting blow together. Roy had to know something. But he was in New York. Laney dialed Roy's Manhattan number. His assistant, Jonathan Lawson, picked up a few seconds later. Roy said, hello. Laney dispensed with any pleasantries. Her voice was tight with panic. She demanded to know where Tally was and if Roy had talked to him. Roy sounded confused, then irritated. He had no idea where Tally could be. Laney told him about the robbery at her house. He seemed surprised that she kept that much coke there. Come on, Roy. You have to know something. Silence stretched on the other end. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold.
- [11:18]
Carlos Avila
I don't know anything about it, Laney.
- [11:20]
Tracy Patton
He promised he'd have Jonathan make some calls. Laney was shaking when she hung up. Roy didn't get it. In her world, stealing cocaine was a crime punishable by death. Somebody had to pay. Laney was left alone with the cold truth. She needed some real muscle. Someone who could protect her and hunt down Talley no matter what the consequences.
- [11:54]
Carlos Avila
Roy Raiden wasn't giving any thought to Laney's meltdown over her robbery. His thoughts were consumed with finding money for the Cotton Club. And Roy knew just who to call. Jose Alegria, chairman of the national bank of Puerto Rico. They'd met at a party in San Juan a couple years back, and it hit it off. Alegria even attended a lavish divorce party Roy threw for himself@studio54 after he split from his second wife. Roy had been so hyped about the Evans deal that he phoned Alegria at 3am he said he'd found the chance of a lifetime. Alegria saw the potential, too. He told Roy that a Hollywood film with Robert Evans involved would be a boost for Puerto Rico's economy. Especially if it led to the three picture deal Roy was touting. But 50 million was a stretch. He countered with a guaranteed 35 million in government bonds. Roy was over the moon. He could figure out how to raise more money down the road. Roy phoned Evans with the news. He was just as thrilled. Evans agreed it would be a massive shot in the arm to the budget. The next step? Finalize an agreement for a new film production company co owned by him and Evans. Roy couldn't wait to meet with him when he got back to la. By the end of the month he'd come back to New York to sign papers with the Puerto Rican bankers and Roy Raiden could officially call himself a movie producer. A few days later, Roy woke up jet lagged. After the flight from New York to la. He stumbled out of bed and made his way to the door. Jonathan stood there holding a stack of messages. They were all from Laney Jacobs. Roy shook his head and then rolled his eyes. There was no avoiding her. He picked up the phone and dialed her number. She answered right away, her voice strained with anger. This time she wasn't asking where Tally was. Laney launched straight into an accusation. Now she blamed Roy for orchestrating the robbery with Tally. Roy could feel his head throbbing. The woman was unhinged. He didn't put Tally up to anything. He yelled back. He had some more choice words for her and then said he was done talking. He slammed the phone down. The bedroom door swung open and Jonathan rushed in. He asked if everything was all right. Roy threw out a sarcastic laugh. Laney actually thinks I'm the mastermind behind the robbery. Now he could see fear washing over Jonathan's face. Roy knew that Jonathan never cared much for Laney. He told Roy a dozen times that she was a bad influence, clearly involved in the drug trade. But Roy assured him that it would all blow over once he and Evans confirmed their deal. Laney wouldn't matter anymore.
- [14:59]
Tracy Patton
Laney got herself the perfect guard dog through a drug connection. She hired a guy named Bill Menser. Menser worked security for Larry Flint, the publisher of an adult magazine called Hustler. After a murder attempt left Flint paralyzed, it didn't hurt that he was a hunk. Tall, with thick dark hair and a mustache, biceps that threatened to burst through the sleeves of his T shirt. Menser wasted no time installing new locks and safes at her house. It wasn't long before he was protecting her in the bedroom, too. Menser brought along his personal posse for good measure. Alex Marty, a stocky bodybuilder from Argentina with a pudgy face and small eyes. Laney found out he was no one to mess with. Laney usually saw him sitting in his car, watching her house with a grim expression. Then there was Carl Plazack, another weightlifter and sometime bar bouncer originally from Wisconsin, and a former bartender named Bob Lowe. Tim Whitehead, the drug distributor who was supposed to pick up the stolen kilos, rounded out the posse. He was one of Millan's employees, someone who she thought she could trust. Melan had managed to put off the cartel so far, but if they didn't get their payments soon, there would be trouble. The next step was sending some of her new security team to various parts of the Southeast in search of Tally Rogers. Between the break in managing the business and being a single mom, Laney felt overwhelmed. The Cotton Club deal had gotten lost in the chaos. She was aware Roy had been working on the financing, but only because Evans kept her looped in. Roy's silence was infuriating. If he had lied to her about Tallie, what else wasn't he telling her? The louse never even said thank you for introducing him to Evans. Laney shook those thoughts from her head. She needed to stay focused, and finding Tally Rogers was her top priority.
- [17:22]
Carlos Avila
It's an early February morning in 1987. The LA Sheriff's Department headquarters downtown. Detective Bill Stoner sits at his desk, sifting through a thick stack of folders. There are four boxes on the floor overflowing with more files. Each box is marked with a six digit code and a single letter Z for Cold Case. After three years and eight months, that's what the Roy Raiden homicide investigation had become. Detective Carlos Avila had tried his damnedest to keep it going, even after his partner, Willian, died, but he never caught any new leads. Avila eventually put in for a transfer to the FBI Academy. Then the case sat in boxes, gathering dust. But Roy Radin had passionate allies fighting for him. His sisters, and especially his mother, Renee called and wrote letters pleading for a new investigation. Their efforts paid off. The Sheriff's Department Unsolved Unit picked up the cold trail. The case was assigned to Bill Stoner, a 25 year veteran with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. He's 46, with a calm demeanor and a solid record for solving homicides. His partner, Detective Charlie Gunther, is 57. This will be his last case before retiring. Gunther helped break one of California's most infamous investigations, the Manson family murders. Stoner and Gunther know they have an uphill battle. Their first task is to methodically comb through the Z files, looking for fresh ways to work old leads. Lainey Jacobs and Bill Menser remain prime suspects, and Laney finally surfaced. They learned that she's back in Florida, married again, this time to a retired coke dealer named Larry Greenberger. Menser is still kicking around the Los Angeles area. He'd somehow managed to stay out of trouble. Gunther slides into the chair opposite Stoner's desk. They've both reviewed the files multiple times. They need to strategize. We need to keep Jacobson Menser from finding out we've reopened the case. Stoner taps a pen against the desk. Agreed. Second, they catch wind of anything, they'll vanish faster than smoke. Stoner and Gunther land on a different approach. To keep a low profile, they'll contact people on the fringes of the case, those who might hold a small but crucial piece of information. They know that the passage of time is on their side. Anyone who's tight lipped in 1983 might be willing to talk now. Gunther picks up a photograph from one of the files. They need someone to identify the two men in Menser's photos from Caswell Canyon. Menser is divorced from a woman named Deborah Santangelo. Stoner knows that former spouses usually have a lot to say about their exes. But first they need to find her. After weeks of searching, Stoner tracks down her father. He happens to be a big shot teamster. Maybe he could convince her to talk to the cops. Stoner calls him. Turns out he hates his ex son in law. He'll get Deborah to cooperate and make sure Menser doesn't hear a word about it.
- [20:59]
Tracy Patton
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- [22:14]
Carlos Avila
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- [22:19]
Tracy Patton
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Carlos Avila
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Tracy Patton
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Carlos Avila
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Tracy Patton
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- [22:46]
Carlos Avila
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Tracy Patton
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- [23:14]
Carlos Avila
Mid April 1983 a butler led Roy Raiden into the backyard of Robert Evans estate. Roy almost shook his head in disbelief. Less than two weeks ago, Evans might as well have existed on another planet. Now they were finalizing the deal for their brand new production company. Roy couldn't hide his huge grin. This was the Hollywood Roy always dreamed about, where anything could happen. Evans was out by the pool, basking in the sun, wearing a silk robe. He pointed to a wrought iron lounge chair. Roy took a seat and launched into the details of their grand plan. How Puerto Rico wanted to roll out the red carpet for their company, maybe even make Evans a professor of film at one of their universities. The Puerto Rican government was even suggesting they build an entire film studio on the island. And the banker, Jose Alegria, had already started putting together the financing. They just needed to draft a contract on their joint venture. Evans waved his hand. Slow down, cowboy. This is fantastic. But why don't we have a little pick me up before we dive in? Roy smiled back at him. Evans wouldn't get any argument from him. Roy reached into his briefcase for a baggie bulging with cocaine. He emptied it out on the nearby table and separated the powder into four straight lines. He and Evans each took a hefty snort. Then it was time to talk business. Evans went into his own details. After the Cotton Club, Evans wanted to do a sequel to Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson. Then maybe another Mario Puzo adaptation like the Godfather. Roy was trembling with excitement. What would his dad, Broadway Al, think about this? His son planning a sequel with Jack Nicholson and another Godfather movie? It was all too much. He put out a thick line and took a hit. Just think about it. This will be our legacy. Then it came time to figuring out the finer details. Creative control and percentage of ownership turned into a battleground. Evans ordered his butler to serve lunch later they retreated inside Evans den, where the verbal sparring continued. Then they had dinner. The champagne flowed. Roy took out more coke. Crumpled up pieces of yellow legal pages with notes were strewn everywhere. Negotiations stretched into the wee hours, then spilled over to the next day. That's when Evans brought up a name Roy didn't want to hear. Lainey Jacobs. He asked Roy what they were going to offer her. Roy blinked. He remembered a vague conversation he had with Laney before meeting Evans. Laney told him she wanted to be in the movie business. He thought it was just the coke talking. And after those insane calls she'd made accusing him of conspiring with Tally and stealing her coke and money, Roy wanted nothing to do with her. He told Evans that Laney was just a coke dealer. All she did was make an introduction. Evans took a long pause before he finally spoke. I don't think we need to piss anyone off, Roy. Let's just give her something. Call it a finder's fee. Then everybody's happy. Roy had gone more than 24 hours without sleep. He was ready to get this deal done. He reluctantly agreed to a finder's fee. After the bank share of 10% and the finder's fee for Laney, Roy and Evans would split the remaining Cotton Club profits 50. 50. The deal was on.
- [27:15]
Tracy Patton
It had almost been three weeks since tally Rogers stole Laney's coke and cash. Her security squad had just returned from a trip throughout the south looking for Talley, but it was a bust. Menser told her they were going to firebomb Talley's old house in Tennessee, but that never happened. Then there was a plan to kidnap his mother and hold her hostage. That fell apart, too. The closest they got to any action was watching Alex Marty stab his pillow over and over again with a knife. Finding Tally was proving much harder than Laney thought. Roy had to know something, and so far he was playing dumb. But Laney had a secret weapon, and her name was Ana Montenegro. Ana was from Miami. She'd run in the same circles as Laney and even dated Milan Bella Chasis before Laney met him. But they only recently got acquainted in la, thanks to a lawyer they both knew. Ana quickly became a fixture in Laney's life. She sometimes acted as her assistant and ran errands. At night they dine at hotspots like Spago or La dome. Ana was 27, dark haired and attractive. Her voice had a light Spanish accent. Laney saw a vulnerability and softness in her, just the sort of qualities that could make Roy loosen up and talk. Ana could be Laney's eyes and ears on the inside. Inside, especially when it came to Talley or the Cotton Club deal. So Laney dialed Roy's number at the Regency. There wasn't a hint of the rage from her call a week earlier. Her voice oozed with honey, said it was time to catch up. Plus, she had a friend she wanted him to meet. An hour later, she and Ana were at the Regency. Roy's eyes lit up when he met her. Perfect, Lainey thought to herself. He was smitten already. Lainey slipped Roy an envelope full of cocaine, and he handed her a check for $2,500. Later, over cocktails, Anna slid into the circular booth next to Roy. Laney watched him hang on Anna's every word. Anna seemed just as charmed by Roy. They were clearly hitting it off. Laney had accidentally played successful matchmaker. Go figure, she thought. But even she had found Rory charming in the beginning. Mission accomplished. She could wait for intel from Anna, her loyal confidante. Now it was time for Laney to reclaim her place as a producer on the Cotton Club.
- [30:11]
Carlos Avila
Cold cases test the patience of even the most seasoned detectives. Stoner and Gunther know this all too well. It's March 23, 1987, almost two months after taking over the Raiden investigation. So far there have been precious few new leads. Somebody needs to talk today. Their hopes hinge on Menser's ex wife, Deborah. The meeting is set at the Beverly Hills courthouse. It's close to where she lives. When Deborah arrives, they escort her into an unused office where it's quiet. She's young, about 26, with long blonde hair. Stoner can tell she's nervous. He starts with a few softball questions, like where she works and how long she's been in la. She answers quietly, her voice a little shaky. He brings up her divorce from Bill Menser. She tells them that Menser had run off with some new girlfriend. Once the girlfriend entered his life, he wore expensive jewelry and drove flashy cars. She's pretty sure this woman even paid for their divorce. Stoner shoots Gunther a look. Maybe the woman was Laney. They ask if she remembers her name.
- [31:27]
Tracy Patton
Linda, I think. Linda Jacobs. She had a kid.
- [31:32]
Carlos Avila
Deborah said she'd found some of Jacob's clothes at their apartment and brought up her name to Mener. His reaction had been explosive. He demanded that Deborah never mention her again. That confirms it. Linda is Laney. And it sounds like Laney and Menser were romantically involved. Stoner moves on to asking Deborah about her ex husband's business. She admits she doesn't really know much. Menser ran a limo service and he worked as a bodyguard for Larry Flint. And Menser liked guns. They were all over their apartment. Always loaded. Now it's time for the big question. Stoner pulls two photographs out of a manila envelope. He slides the first photo across the table to Deborah. One shows Bill Menser with his trademark thick mustache. He's standing next to a shorter, beefy looking man wearing army fatigues and holding a shotgun. Stoner asks if she recognizes the other man. Deborah visibly shudders.
- [32:39]
Tracy Patton
That's Alex. He was a bodyguard with Bill. Vicious guy. I remember a mutual friend of ours said he was threatened by him once. Alex seemed like he just got a kick out of violence.
- [32:54]
Carlos Avila
Deborah can't remember his last name, but says she can find out. Stoner looks over at Gunther, who's scribbling away on a notepad. From the sound of it, this guy named Alex could be a potential accomplice. Now Stoner hands over the second photograph. This one features a man who's taller and older than Alex. In the photo, he's lining up a shot with a Mac 10 submachine gun. Deborah identifies him as well. His name is Bill Ryder. He's publisher Larry Flint's brother in law. Ryder used to be Flint's head of security. He's the one who hired Alex and Mentzer as bodyguards. She says he used to live in Woodland Hills. A smile crosses Stoner's face. They've never been this close to identifying both men, and Bill Ryder is a new name to add to the mix. Someone they need to talk to when they get back to the station. Gunther starts the lengthy process of locating Ryder. His last known phone number is no longer in service. They'll have to keep looking, but it's a start. The investigation grinds on over the next month. Another name surfaces and it's no bit player in the drama. It's the man who robbed Laney Jacobs and disappeared into the ether. Tally Rogers.
- [34:27]
Tracy Patton
The search for truth never ends. Introducing June's Journey, a hidden object mobile game with a captivating story. Connect with friends, explore the Roaring Twenties and enjoy thrilling activities and challenges while supporting environmental causes. After seven years, the adventure continues with our Immersive Travels feature. Explore distant cultures and engage in exciting experiences. There's always something new to discover. Discover Are you ready? Download June's Journey, now ON Android or iOS. The month of April was proving to be a roller coaster of highs and lows for Laney. On the one hand, she'd met Evans and launched into a Hollywood film deal. On the other, she'd been ripped off. Her life was put in danger, and today she found out news that made her blood boil. Laney held the phone to her ear and let it ring. Roy's assistant, Jonathan, picked up. She didn't bother with any small talk. I need to speak with Roy. Her fingers tapped impatiently against her marble table. What was taking so long? Roy finally answered with a hurried hello. Lainey hissed into the phone. I know what you did, Roy. You have a letter of agreement on the film deal and you're trying to cut me out. Roy sounded shocked.
- [36:02]
Carlos Avila
Did Anna tell you this?
- [36:04]
Tracy Patton
Laney almost laughed. Anna hadn't proven to be much of a spy. She seemed more interested in playing house with Roy, but let him think what he wanted. He didn't guess. She'd heard from Evans himself. Evans was the one who'd been loyal. She couldn't blame him for this. He was just trying to get his movie made. She listened as he stammered his way through an explanation. He tried to justify that the agreement was just preliminary, that Evans was out of town, that they could all discuss this when he got back. Then she cut him off. We're supposed to be partners, Roy. Remember? Laney's voice was rising. She reminded Roy that she was the one who introduced him and Evans, that his 5050 deal with Evans needed to include a place for her and she wanted half of Raiden's interest in the production company. She could hear Roy mumbling, trying to form whatever bullshit excuse he could come up with. He finally spit it out. He was willing to give her a finder's fee, 50 grand if she'd just walk away. Laney's jaw clenched. His offer was a slap in the face. She told Roy this wasn't over and hung up the phone. Laney could feel tears stinging her eyes after all she had done for Roy. The introduction, the prime cocaine she sold him at wholesale prices. She even set him up with Anna. His thanks was lying about the break in. Then he lied about the Cotton Club. Roy might think he could cut Laney out, but he was very wrong. Without her, there was no deal. If Roy wasn't careful, he was going to find himself on the outside looking in.
- [38:02]
Carlos Avila
Detectives Stoner and Gunther have finally found Tally Rogers. The missing drug courier wasn't sipping pina coladas on a tropical beach or floating face down in some Florida swamp. For the last three years, Rogers has been locked up inside one of the most notorious penitentiaries in the country. Angola State Prison in Louisiana. On May 6, 1987, Stoner and Gunther walk through the prison's heavy metal doors. A burly guard escorts them down a dank hall. The rhythmic thud of his boots bounces off the concrete floor. The detectives both loosen their collars. It has to be close to 100 degrees. The air is thick with shouts and coughs. Stoner and Gunther learned quite a bit about what happened to Rogers. About a year after the robbery, he came out of hiding in South Carolina. Rogers moved to Louisiana and got involved with a woman who had two children. She accused him of sexually abusing her sons. Rogers protested his innocence but was found guilty. He's been in jail ever since, serving a 15 year term. The detectives walk into a prison lounge. Tally Rogers sits shackled to a chair, wearing a gray prison jumpsuit. Compared with the photos in the files, he looks a decade older. Harsh lines are etched across his face. His eyes dart around the room. Life on the inside hasn't been kind. This is the man who unwittingly set off a twisted chain of event that led to Roy Raiden's murder. Stoner asks how he's doing. Rogers shoots him a look. Yeah, live in the dream. How do you think I'm doing? He wipes the sweat from his face with his free arm. Then Rogers looks up to Stoner and swears he's innocent of the abuse charges. Stoner sidesteps the subject, hoping he can push Tally to talk. It turns out he doesn't need much pushing. He's eager to cooperate. Rogers tells him that he met Laney in Miami in 1981 through a friend who got him into the drug racket. After Laney took over distribution in la, he became a courier for her and Milan Belichasis. My job was to drive the cocaine out to her from Miami. Picked it up at Milan's and hauled it across country. Did it a couple times a month. Stoner asks if he ever saw Roy buy drugs from Laney. Tally lets out a sarcastic laugh. He said Roy bought from her almost every week, dropping several thousand dollars at a time. And that Laney always gave him the good stuff at cost. Stoner asks if Tally had any problems with her. Yeah, I had a problem with Laney. This whole thing started because she's supposed to pay me 30 grand per trip. She shortchanged me 10 grand each time. A woman has no respect. Stoner and Gunther can still feel his anger after four years. Stoner leans across the table and asks what happened. I was pissed, so I stole those kilos of cocaine and 270 grand. Then she put a bounty on my head. 50 grand. Rogers says his wife, Betty had been in Vegas with Laney. He called her and warned her to get the hell out. Then he hightailed it to South Carolina. He sold all the coke, spent most of the money. Eventually he came to Louisiana, where he found trouble again. Gunther nods, then asks if Roy knew anything about Talley's plan. No, absolutely not. Roy had no idea. Well, I mean, he did, eventually, after Laney accused him of it. While Rogers was in hiding, he heard things through his network of contacts. Laney had been furious with Roy. She thought he helped Tally pull off the heist. Stoner underlines the word furious on his notepad. This makes Laney's motive for wanting Roy gone even stronger. He asks whether Laney ever mentioned Robert Evans, the movie producer. Tally nods his head vigorously. Laney told him that Evans was interested in using drug money to bankroll movies. But when pressed, Rogers couldn't offer any other information. The detectives wrap up the interview before they leave. Rogers expresses remorse over Roy, said he was a good guy who didn't deserve what happened. A guard leads him away in handcuffs. Stoner and Gunther can't wait to escape the hell hole that Tally Rogers now calls home.
- [42:56]
Tracy Patton
Jonathan Lawson stepped into Roy's hotel suite in LA and sighed. Empty containers of Chinese food and bottles of Tattinger champagne littered the coffee table. The surface was coated with a fine layer of coke dust. Newspapers and legal pads with notes were strewn everywhere. Jonathan snatched up a notepad with one of Roy's many to do lists. Things like Set up meeting with Morgan Fairchild for Genius play, Revive Mickey rooney and Donald O'Connor PI show. A grin tugged at Jonathan's mouth. Roy had his quirks, but the man's head overflowed with inventive ideas. Usually, Jonathan thrived on his boss's crazy schemes. He admired how Roy chased impossible dreams. But the Cotton Club deal felt different. A knot of worry had tightened in Jonathan's gut ever since it started. He didn't trust Robert Evans. He was all Hollywood flash, and Laney operated in her own shadowy orbit. The clock ticked towards noon, but his boss was still passed out in bed with Ana. The two had become inseparable in just a week. Usually, Jonathan would dismiss these whirlwind romances. But since Laney had been the one to introduce Roy to Anna, alarm bells went off in his head. Roy shuffled out of the bedroom in his robe with a handkerchief pressed against his nose. Jonathan grimaced. Roy's nose had been bleeding for several days.
- [44:29]
Carlos Avila
This is all because of the crap coke Laney sold me.
- [44:32]
Tracy Patton
Roy's retaliation had been swift. He instructed Jonathan to stop payment on the $4,000 check for the coke. It wasn't long before Laney exploded over the phone. Roy met her fire with fire. Bad coke equals a bad check, he declared. But Jonathan knew that the subpar coke wasn't the real issue. Just the latest skirmish in the ongoing war over the Cotton Club. He braced himself for more fallout. A week later, the phone rang in their suite. Roy grabbed the call, and when he hung up, his face was drained of color. There had been a break in at his office in Manhattan. The place had been ransacked. The file cabinet was broken into, papers everywhere. But whoever it was didn't seem to take anything. Jonathan's heart raced. They were both thinking the same thing. The break in could be Laney's latest retaliation. By the next morning, Roy was buzzing with frantic energy as he prepared for his trip to New York. Ana Montenegro had spent the night. She watched as Jonathan carefully placed Roy's designer shirts in a suitcase. Roy turned to Ana and told her about his vandalized office in New York. And that he thought Laney was behind it. Laney always seemed to know what he was up to. Roy's eyes narrowed as he fixed Ana with an accusing stare. Jonathan felt the tension hanging in the air. Then Roy just said it. Maybe Ana was the one feeding her information. Jonathan scrutinized Ana's expression, searching for any hint of guilt. But she seemed shocked. I would never tell Laney anything. She always asks me, but I just play dumb. Her voice trembled. She warned Roy that Laney worked directly with the Colombian drug cartel and Laney's partner was a notorious drug dealer. Roy didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation the theft from Tally had left. If Roy wasn't careful, Laney could make him the fall guy for all her problems. Roy seemed oblivious to Ana's warning. He said he dealt with problems far worse than a second rate coke dealer. But Jonathan's thoughts were racing. He knew they were in way over their heads.
- [47:08]
Carlos Avila
Stoner and Gunther have returned to LA after their visit to Tally Rogers at Angola State Prison. They're already diving back into the case files. It's the second week of May 1987. Stoner looks into Bob Lowe. Lowe is a friend of Mincer's. He was arrested alongside him at LAX on cocaine charges back in September 1983. Just like menser. Lowe avoided prosecution during a search of Menser's apartment. Detective Carlos Avila found a purchase slip for a Cadillac. It was made out to Lowe and signed by Lainey Jacobs on the very day Raiden was killed. Stoner believes Lowe is involved in the murder, but until they have more proof, it's still a guessing game. The linchpin could be Bill Riley Ryder, the guy Mentzer's ex wife ID'd in one of the photos. Detective Gunther's been laser focused on locating him. He finds out Ryder is a former cop now living a quiet life in the Midwest. After some persistent calls, Gunther finally gets him on the phone. A few minutes after their phone call, Gunther races over to Stoner's desk. Ryder is not only willing to talk, he's agreed to fly out to la. This could be a turning point in the case.
- [48:38]
Tracy Patton
Follow Hollywood in Crime the Cotton Club Murder on the Wondery App, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey@wondery.com survey this is episode 3 of 6 of the Cotton Club Murder. This podcast is based on historical research, but in some cases we can't know exactly what was said, so certain dialogue is dramatized. We used many sources when researching this story, but ones we found exceptionally helpful are Bad Company, Drugs, Hollywood and the Cotton Club Murder by Steve Wick and the Los Angeles Court Archives Our show was produced by Tracy Patton, Rebecca Reynolds and Jim Carpenter for Hollywood and Crime. Our writer is Patrick Coleman, our managing producer is Sophia Martins and our coordinating producer is Taylor Sniffin. Our story editor is MC Kayla Bly. Research by Adam Melian. Sound design is by Kyle Randall. Our audio engineers are Sergio Enriquez and Augustine Lim. Audio assembly by Daniel Gonzalez Additional audio assistance from Adrian Tapia Fact checking by Will Tavlin for Wondery. Our senior producer is Laura Donna Palavoda and our producer is Yasmin Ward. Executive producers are Erin O'Flaherty, Marshall Louie and Jen Sergeant. In the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Peru and New Zealand lies a tiny volcanic island. It's a little known British territory called Pit can and it harbored a deep dark scandal.
- [50:39]
Carlos Avila
There wouldn't be a girl on Pit Count Once they reach the age of 10, that would still average. It just happens to all of them.
- [50:46]
Tracy Patton
I'm journalist Luke Jones and for almost two years I've been investigating a shocking story that has left deep scars on generations of women and girls from Pitcairn. When there's nobody watching nobody going to report it.
- [50:59]
Carlos Avila
People will get away with what they.
- [51:01]
Tracy Patton
Can get away with. In the Pitcairn Trials, I'll be uncovering a story of abuse and the fight for justice that has brought a unique, lonely Pacific island to the brink of extinction. Listen to the Pitcairn Trials exclusively on Wandering plus. Join Wandering plus in the Wondering app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.