MK True Crime – Episode Summary

Episode: New Amy Bradley Leads, Man Arrested for Halloween Display, Florida Woman Guilty of Murdering Husband

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Phil Holloway
Panelists: Ashley Merchant (Criminal Defense Attorney), Mark Iglash (Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Prosecutor)

Main Theme & Purpose

In this episode, the MK True Crime panel tackles several gripping cases making headlines: the conviction of Daisy Link for the murder of her husband in Florida, fresh developments and controversial theories in the decades-old disappearance of Amy Bradley from a cruise ship, and the case of an Arkansas father running for sheriff while awaiting trial for killing his daughter's accused abductor. They conclude with a debate on First Amendment rights involving a Halloween display in Kentucky and respond to listener questions. The conversation is candid, analytical, and at times irreverent, offering legal insight and personal views on the most pressing true crime stories.

Key Topics & Discussions

1. Daisy Link Convicted of Husband's Murder (01:03–19:30)

• Case Overview: Daisy Link was found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2022 shooting of her husband, Pedro Jimenez, in Florida. Prosecutors described an “atypical” domestic violence scenario with Link as the aggressor.
• Defense: Claimed self-defense, alleging past abuse and that Link fired to scare, not kill.
• Jury's Decision: The jury took only 90 minutes to reach a guilty verdict.
  • Mark Iglash (04:20): “It was very clear to them that her self defense claim was bogus.”
• Panel Analysis:
  • Link’s son testified in her defense, but panelists believed it backfired, making her less sympathetic.
  • Ashley Merchant (06:57): “This is what I would like to call an imperfect self defense case. [...] She is not likable, she is not sympathetic. [...] She 100% blew it.”
  • The “imminent danger” requirement for self-defense was not met; Jimenez was running away when shot (09:49).
• Notable Soundbite (03:30–03:48):
  • Daisy Link Testifying: “I initially aimed towards the floor. As I lifted up the gun, I didn't expect for it to hit him. I just thought the sound was going to scare him off this time for good.”
• Unique Twist: Link became pregnant while incarcerated, despite isolation from male inmates.
  • Link (14:22): “Through the vent. [...] I put the semen in a Saran Wrap every day, like five times a day for like a month straight. [...] I had placed it inside of there, and then from there, yeah, I administered it.”
  • Mark Iglash (15:52): “His baby batter is swimming through vents. That cannot happen. That should never happen. Somebody should be under investigation for this.”

Panel Reflections: Consequences for the Child (17:28)

• The child will likely be raised by grandparents, as both parents are convicted murderers.
  • Ashley: Expressed concern for the child’s welfare and systemic failures.
  • Mark: Called Link’s manipulation “the most selfish act that a human being can engage in.”

2. Amy Bradley Disappearance – Fresh Leads & Theories (21:07–29:20)

• Background: Amy Bradley vanished in 1998 from a Royal Caribbean cruise. She was presumed to have fallen overboard, but her body was never found.
• Family’s Theory: Dismissed accident or suicide; believe she may have been trafficked.
• Latest Leads: Netflix documentary reignites interest with claims of mysterious internet (IP) “pings” from the Caribbean, possibly tied to Amy or her captors.
  • Ashley (24:02): “All of those leads are coincidence. [...] It’s most likely that she's deceased.”
  • Mark (26:09): “I watched very carefully this documentary, and I believe... she was trafficked, that she didn't kill herself.”
• Discussion of IP Pings (28:13):
  • David Carmichael (Witness): “Why on birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, does somebody keep hitting that site? [...] It’s either the people that are involved... or it’s Amy.”

3. Arkansas Father Shoots Daughter’s Alleged Abductor—Then Runs for Sheriff (32:05–40:13)

• Incident Recap: Aaron Spencer fatally shot Michael Foster, a 67-year-old accused of abducting and grooming Spencer's 13-year-old daughter, after finding them together. Spencer is awaiting trial but is running for sheriff.
• Legal Debate:
  • Ashley (34:51): “He did it. He shot him in cold blood. Like it was calculated. It's.... malice murder, 100%. But I love this guy.”
  • Mark (35:46): “Was his life in imminent danger at the time? The obvious answer is no. [...] That should really scare you... you're going to have Dexter running around executing people.”
  • Phil (38:36): “You can use deadly force to prevent a forcible felony [...] I think that this shows malice. I think that maybe there was some provocation. [...] I think it was fully justified.”
  • Mark (38:59): “Had he just pulled out a gun and said, come here, honey, let's go, that's one thing. But... to then just shoot him dead, that might go too far.”

4. Kentucky Man Arrested Over Halloween Display—First Amendment Rights (41:04–43:16)

• Incident: Stephen Markham was arrested for displaying fake body bags with names of local officials on his lawn for Halloween.
• Panel:
  • Ashley (41:04): “Come on, this is America. [...] He's not telling someone to go out and hang the mayor. He is making a joke. [...] That is what we're allowed to do in America.”
  • Mark (41:56): Cited the Supreme Court case Virginia v. Black—expression is protected unless intended to threaten.
  • Phil: While he found it “inappropriate,” he defended the display on First Amendment grounds.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Phil (41:04): “I want to go to trial for this guy tomorrow. [...] You can put the word mayor on a tombstone in your yard.”

5. Listener Mailbag: How to Find a Good Lawyer (49:41–51:37)

• Advice:
  • Phil: Find a local attorney familiar with your courthouse and staff.
  • Mark: “I look at every review... If they don’t have close to five stars, I ain’t going.”
  • Ashley: “Referrals. It's the same thing when you're looking for a doctor.”

6. Panel “Rants” and Reflections (52:07–56:53)

• Ashley: Warned listeners against talking to the police without a lawyer, explaining coercive interrogation tactics.
  • Quote (52:07): “Everybody thinks the truth will set you free. That is not true. [...] The police are trained in certain techniques to get you to say what they want you to say, which is not necessarily the truth.”
• Mark: Encouraged gratitude despite the heaviness of true crime stories.
  • Quote (54:17): “What I do is try to raise my happiness levels by focusing on gratitude throughout my day.”
• Phil: Ranted about Fani Willis blaming others after being booted from the Trump RICO case, calling her comments “outrageous.”
  • Quote (56:53): “There’s always somebody else to blame. It’s never her fault.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Daisy Link's Testimony:
  “I initially aimed towards the floor. As I lifted up the gun, I didn't expect for it to hit him. I just thought the sound was going to scare him off this time for good.”
  (03:36–03:48, Daisy Link)

• Jury Rejection of Link’s Self-defense:
  “It was very clear to them that her self defense claim was bogus.”
  (04:20, Mark Iglash)

• On Link’s Jail Pregnancy:
  “His baby batter is swimming through vents. That cannot happen. That should never happen. Somebody should be under investigation for this.”
  (15:52, Mark Iglash)

• Ashley on Self-defense:
  “This is what I would like to call an imperfect self defense case. [...] She is not likable, she is not sympathetic. [...] She 100% blew it.”
  (06:57, Ashley Merchant)

• Mark on Amy Bradley:
  “I watched very carefully this documentary, and I believe... she was trafficked, that she didn't kill herself.”
  (26:09, Mark Iglash)

• Debate Over Forcible Felony:
  “You can use deadly force to prevent a forcible felony. And I think that's what this man did. I think it was fully justified.”
  (38:36, Phil Holloway)

• First Amendment & Halloween Display:
  “Come on, this is America. [...] That is what we’re allowed to do in America.”
  (41:04, Ashley Merchant)

• Mark on Managing Heavy True Crime Content:
  “What I do is try to raise my happiness levels by focusing on gratitude throughout my day.”
  (54:17, Mark Iglash)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Daisy Link case: 01:03–19:30
• Amy Bradley case: 21:07–29:20
• Arkansas father/shooting/sheriff run: 32:05–40:13
• Halloween display First Amendment debate: 41:04–43:16
• Listener mailbag: 49:41–51:37
• Closing reflections (“rants”): 52:07–56:53

Episode Takeaways

• The panel offered a sharp legal analysis and personal insight into headline cases, often disagreeing but always with well-supported arguments.
• Notable cases can hinge on defendant likability, the credibility of witnesses, and public opinion as much as on hard law.
• The intersection of the law and everyday life (e.g., First Amendment rights during Halloween) produces spirited debates even among experts.
• Criminal defense is often about narrative, not just facts—seen in how the Daisy Link and Arkansas self-defense cases were discussed.
• True crime, while grim, also serves as a lens to discuss broader topics like gratitude, mental health, and justice reform.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers on the promise of true crime with in-depth, unsparing analysis, moments of levity, and an authentic look behind the scenes of the criminal justice system. The mix of high-profile cases, unique legal twists, and frank expert commentary make it a must-listen for crime obsessives and newcomers alike.