Love and Radio: Blood Memory – Episode 08: Habeas Corpus
Release Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Nick van der Kolk | Produced by Love and Radio & Daylight Media

Overview

This compelling episode centers on the reliability, contradictions, and repercussions of the life story of Michael Thompson—a former high-ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood who turned state witness. The show methodically examines Michael's claims regarding his criminal past, cooperation with authorities, Native identity, and the impact of his actions on those around him. Through investigative updates, fact-checking, and expert commentary, “Habeas Corpus” interrogates the blurry boundaries between storytelling, lived truth, and the lasting effects of criminal justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intent and the Elusive Nature of Truth

• Opening Reflection:
  • [00:32] Nick expresses his intent: “My intent is to understand your life, understand your story, and understand how you got to the place that you are now… My intent with this is... is the truth.”
  • Michael challenges the notion of truth: “Do your homework. Nothing I speak about is vague or ambiguous... it’s all documented.”
• Meta-Theme: The show’s structure underscores an ongoing battle between personal narrative and verifiable reality, setting up an investigative journey.

2. Fact-Checking Michael’s Life Story

• Early Life & 1973 Murders:
  • [03:54–06:03] Robin (editor/reporter) confirms Michael’s time on the Big Pine Paiute reservation (via mother’s parole letter), finds official confirmation of wiretapped calls used as evidence in his trial, but is unable to access the tapes themselves—they were destroyed.
• Gang War Claims:
  • [06:03–07:41] Michael’s stories about smuggling weapons and working with Tribal Thumb are partially corroborated (official documents confirm some lectures on prison security) but key details remain unproven.
• Prison Attacks, Corruption, and Record Inaccessibility:
  • [09:00–11:08] Numerous stories—being attacked, shot by guards, bribery—cannot be fully investigated due to missing records and lack of access to earlier files.
• Bull Riding Claims:
  • [12:31–13:29] Michael’s vivid descriptions about bull riding pain are factually disputed by professional bull riders; exaggeration apparent.
• Native Identity:
  • [13:29–14:24] Genealogical research finds no Native ancestry in Michael’s family, despite his insistence on being raised with those beliefs. Further investigation is delegated to expert Allison Herrera.

3. Exploring Identity and Cultural Claims with Allison Herrera

• Expert Introduction:
  • [15:56] Allison Herrera, Indigenous journalist and member of the Holon Sulinen, provides context for Native identity in California.
• Community Reaction to Michael’s Claims:
  • [17:17–19:05] Allison summarizes consensus: “Michael's story sounds very much like a sham, like a fraud… it makes me very angry… we've lost touch with our cultural ways because of colonialism… to hear someone exploit for his own benefit is offensive.”
• Jack Martin / Walksontop Investigation:
  • [19:05–19:48] Allison: “No one with the name Jack Martin was ever enrolled in the [Nez Perce] tribe.”
• On What Qualifies as Native Identity:
  • [20:33–22:12] Herrera: “Being raised Native... doesn’t make you a Native person unless you can prove you are who you say you are… He threw out something that was inaccurate [re: Dawes Rolls].”
• Broader Cultural Harm:
  • [22:16–26:13] Allison critiques “bingo card” stereotypes Michael echoes, drawing a parallel with the Buffy St. Marie fraud: “We are human, here among you… It's damaging to claim to be a Native person when you're not. Those that do, especially after erasure and trauma, continue to harm living communities.”
• Nick’s Direct Question (21:58):
  • Q: “I don’t think those are any of the tribes that he mentioned, right?”
  • A (Herrera): “It’s a red herring, basically. It’s not accurate.”

4. The Impact of Michael’s Actions on Family & Victims

• The 1973 Nunley/Steele Murders:
  • [27:16–38:18] Robin and Brian unpack inconsistent narratives around Michael’s motives and relationships, especially his claim he was only helping Pat Nunley as she was dying.
  • Court records suggest Michael lied under oath and had a more personal stake; testimony from his ex-wife Burdell Thompson is ambiguous and possibly coerced.
• Tiffany Nunley’s Parole Hearing Testimony:
  • [34:33–38:03] Tiffany’s raw testimony:
    • “I believe you can do something terrible in life… and figure out how to come to terms with that. I get that. But… your story slowly changes and I have a problem with that.”
    • “You guys told me you were my dad… I made necklaces at San Quentin. I went to the rodeo at Tracy… My mom… spent my dad’s entire life insurance payout on your defense… She committed herself to you. And yet what happened to her?… No family, alienated…it was a blessing [when she died at 50]. Heroin just ate her away… She didn’t even have dignity.”
  • Memorable moment: A confrontational, emotional indictment punctures Michael’s redemptive narrative.
  • [38:18] Michael interprets Tiffany’s words as forgiveness, casting himself as the object of a “courageous” gesture.

5. Curtis Price Case – Habeas Corpus and Testimonial Reliability

• Foundation of the Case:
  • [40:20–41:25] Brian Kranz delves into archival research on the case that led Michael to defect from the Aryan Brotherhood.
• Testimonial Chain and Persuasion:
  • [44:24–45:13] Michael describes convincing two associates, Clifford Smith and Janet Myers, to turn state's evidence because “imposing violence upon… innocents” contradicted their code.
• Preferential Treatment for Michael:
  • [47:06–49:37] Exhibit: Sworn declaration of Patricia Ann Porter (jailer), who describes Michael’s “apartment”-like double cell, private visits (including Thanksgiving dinners and conjugal encounters), and unsupervised privileges.
  • [49:53] Defense points out Michael lied about receiving perks—which he denied in testimony.
• Prosecution’s Rebuttal:
  • [55:13–56:17] The state dismisses the significance, arguing the jury already knew he was untrustworthy:

    “One of the very few facts emphatically agreed to by both sides was that the credibility of Thompson, Clifford Smith and Janet Meyers was virtually nil.”

• Legal Outcome:
  • Despite these new findings, Curtis Price’s appeals fail; he dies on death row.

6. Reflections on Truth and Narrative

• [57:15] Michael meditates:

  “I think the best way to tell a story is go back to the functional reality as opposed to the ideal reality that we want it to be… Oftentimes as you delve into that, you mine elements of it that you may have suppressed for whatever reason… the issue is not the truth. The issue is the reality of the truth.”

• The series closes with music credits and a teaser: “He’s like a Rorschach blot. People see what they want to see...” (63:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Do your homework. ...This is my story. I’m telling it. You don’t have to believe it. Truth of the matter is, you can’t make this stuff up.”
  — Michael Thompson [01:15]

• On being Native:

  • “He’s exploiting these very real discussions and complexities for his own self serving purpose.” — Allison Herrera [23:17]
  • “Don’t claim to be a Native person when you’re not. It’s really damaging.” — Allison Herrera [24:42]

• Tiffany Nunley’s parole testimony (raw impact):

  • “You guys told me you were my dad… I got stuck with her for 20 something years while she was a heroin addict… Heroin just ate her away. She had nothing, absolutely nothing whatsoever. She didn’t even have dignity.” [34:33–38:03]

• On the Curtis Price case and rewards for cooperation:

  • “It was almost like he had his own apartment up there… I even brought in a large kitchen knife to carve up the turkey. We had the entire dinner in his unit and the guard on duty that day ate the meal with us.” — Patricia Ann Porter affidavit [49:07]

• Legal system’s view:

  • “The credibility of Thompson, Clifford Smith and Janet Meyers was virtually nil. ...[He] admitted to numerous premeditated and cold blooded murders, to numerous instances of perjury, to a massive ability to manipulate the criminal justice system...” — Quoting prosecutor’s filing [55:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:30–01:15] — Host/subject discuss meaning and value of truth
• [03:54–14:24] — Robin’s editorial fact-checking breakdown
• [15:56–26:13] — Allison Herrera on Native identity & community reaction
• [27:16–38:18] — The 1973 murders and victim/family testimony
• [40:20–56:49] — Curtis Price case: document dive and legal critique
• [57:15] — Michael’s closing reflections on storytelling and truth
• [63:59–64:37] — Teaser for next episode: how Michael is perceived

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Love and Radio's signature mix of thorough investigative journalism, cinematic sound design, and a persistent willingness to interrogate received narratives—sometimes with tough empathy, sometimes with withering skepticism. Emotional testimony and expert commentaries shift between deeply personal, scathing, and reflective, offering listeners a layered and ambiguous portrait.

Conclusion

“Habeas Corpus” brings together contested personal history, systemic justice, and the ethics of storytelling, refusing to provide pat answers. By meticulously laying out evidence, contradictions, and lived consequences—including the powerful words of those affected—the episode invites listeners to question whose truth ultimately shapes memory and public record.