Morbid Podcast Summary: "The Onion Field Incident"

Hosts: Ash Kelley & Alaina Urquhart
Episode Date: December 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Ash and Alaina dive into the tragic true crime story known as the Onion Field Incident, a case that profoundly impacted policing in Los Angeles and left a trail of trauma and policy change in its wake. They approach the episode with their signature blend of deeply-researched storytelling, empathy, and light comedic asides, balancing the harrowing subject matter with sensitivity and authenticity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Partners, Dreams, and Good Intentions

[09:31 – 25:22]

• Backgrounds of the Victims:
  • Carl Hettinger: Grew up in Los Angeles, dreamed of becoming a farmer, had a doting mother and emotionally distant father, excelled in academics and leadership, eventually joined LAPD almost by accident.
  • Ian Campbell: Also from LA, a dreamer with strong convictions, lover of animals who almost pursued zoology, Marine Corps veteran, married a Las Vegas showgirl, had two young daughters, and sought a detective career.
• Partnership:
  • Carl and Ian, both bookish and intellectual, made great partners and close friends—rare for LA cops in the 1960s.
  • Both were looking forward to bright futures and stable family lives.

"They had all the makings of great detectives and, like, would have done really well together." – Alaina [85:53]

2. The Night of the Crime: A Routine Stop Turns Deadly

[25:22 – 48:14]

• March 9, 1963: Carl and Ian, on undercover patrol, spot a suspicious 1946 Ford coupe driven by Gregory Powell and Jimmy Lee Smith, both career criminals.
• Initial Stop:
  • Officers needed a legitimate reason to pull over Powell and Smith. They observed a broken license plate light and caught them making an illegal U-turn—enough for a stop.
  • During the stop, Smith panics and drops a gun. Powell calmly attempts to conceal it. As Ian approaches the car, the situation escalates quickly.
  • Powell gets the jump on Ian, holding a gun to his back; Carl is confused but rendered powerless as both are disarmed under threat.

"I could have shot the other suspect, but Campbell would have been shot. He explained that Ian had all but begged him to hand over his service revolver..." – Carl Hettinger, as paraphrased by Alaina [68:20]

3. Kidnapping and the Onion Field

[40:00 – 48:14]

• Powell and Smith kidnap Carl and Ian at gunpoint, driving them to a remote onion field near Bakersfield.
• Throughout the ride, the criminals debate their options, referencing the "Little Lindbergh Law" (which allowed for the death penalty if kidnapping victims were harmed), subtly indicating their intent to eliminate witnesses.
• Upon arrival in the field, Powell abruptly shoots Ian in the mouth, then fires four more shots into his chest, killing him instantly.
• Carl, in shock, flees into the pungent, pitch-black onion fields, evading his pursuers through sheer adrenaline and desperation.

"He was operating on...sheer terror and adrenaline and the will to live." – Alaina [53:34]

4. Carl’s Escape and the Aftermath

[48:14 – 55:28]

• Carl, injured and terrified, survives two miles of sprinting through the fields, finally finding a farmhand, Emmanuel McFadden, who ultimately helps him contact authorities.
• Meanwhile, Powell and Smith separate, hoping to avoid capture; Powell tries to change cars and license plates, but his efforts backfire and he’s arrested due to mismatched plates. Smith is also apprehended shortly after.

"If Greg Powell had ever thought to look to his right at various points as he drove down the road...he would have definitely seen them huddled in the rows of onions. But luck seemed to be on Carl's side at this point..." – Alaina [55:28]

5. Betrayal, Blame, and Trauma: The Ripple Effects

[67:07 – 78:58]

• Trial: Both criminals blame each other for the murder, but overwhelming evidence leads to both being found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death (later commuted to life).
• Carl's Ordeal: Instead of being supported, Carl faces ostracism and blame from fellow LAPD officers, accused of cowardice for handing over his weapon to save his partner ("hypermasculine" police culture).
• He is forced to publicly apologize, shamed, and eventually leaves the police force after being let go for shoplifting—a byproduct of untreated PTSD.
• Carl later has some success in local politics but battles severe trauma, ultimately dying in Bakersfield from liver failure.

"His return to work at the department was met with protests and ridicule by his fellow officers. They all blamed him for Campbell's death, not the guy who killed him." – Alaina [78:03]

6. Policy Changes and Cultural Impact

[78:58 – 81:33]

• The case led to major LAPD policy changes and the establishment of clear protocols: namely, officers were never to relinquish their weapons, even under threat.
• The story was widely publicized through Joseph Wambaugh’s book The Onion Field and a feature film, though even the author later expressed deep regret over exploiting Carl’s suffering for the sake of the narrative.

"Carl minded terribly, but I just exploited him. I used money as my weapon to get the story...I acted that way because I thought the story was more important than Carl Hettinger..." – Joseph Wambaugh (quoted by Alaina) [81:33]

7. Legacy, Reflections, and Empathy

[81:16 – 87:13]

• Ash and Alaina reflect on the intersections of fate, trauma, toxic masculinity, and the human cost of crime.
• They urge listeners to resist judgment: No one knows how they'd handle life-and-death situations until they're in them.
• Both hosts express deep sympathy for all victims and frustration at the shaming Carl endured.

"You're punishing him for being human. It's like, this isn't his fault. It's the murderers who did it." – Alaina [80:47]

"Don't keep it that weird. That's not even weird. That's just gross. Don't be gross." – Ash [87:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the moment of the shooting:

  "Ian had barely begun to open his mouth to say the word yes when Powell raised the gun and fired and shot him directly in the mouth." – Alaina [48:15]

• Describing Carl’s escape:

  "By then, Carl had covered nearly two miles at a pace faster than he'd ever run before and was exhausted. He was operating on...sheer terror and adrenaline and the will to live." – Alaina [53:34]

• On victim-blaming and police culture:

  "His return to work at the department was met with protests and ridicule by his fellow officers. They all blamed him for Campbell's death, not the guy who killed him." – Alaina [78:03]

• Reflections on protocol and hindsight:

  "Just plan for everything, man. And if you never use it, then who gives a...But at least it's there." – Alaina [83:13]

• Closing thoughts on judging others:

  "Don't keep it that weird. That's not even weird. That's just gross. Don't be gross." – Ash [87:10]

Important Timestamps

| Segment/Event | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Episode intro and case premise | 08:31–09:31| | Carl and Ian’s backgrounds | 09:31–25:22| | Approach to Onion Field and stop | 25:22–40:00| | Kidnapping & murder in the field | 40:00–48:14| | Carl’s escape and seeking help | 48:14–55:28| | Criminals split up and are captured | 55:28–63:17| | Carl’s aftermath and forced public apology | 67:07–78:58| | Policy changes and Wambaugh’s regrets | 78:58–81:33| | Hosts’ reflections and empathetic close | 81:16–87:13|

Tone & Style

Ash and Alaina remain empathetic throughout, peppering the episode with gentle humor in non-crime-related moments and maintaining respect for victims and listeners. They speak candidly about trauma, accountability, and the culture of policing, often questioning outdated notions of masculinity and the hazards of judgment.

Summary

This episode of Morbid meticulously traces the events and aftermath of the Onion Field Incident, revealing the lasting scars left not just on individuals but on broader systems. The hosts blend detailed research with a compassionate, nuanced lens, offering both narrative clarity and thoughtful commentary. Their closing message: trauma’s fallout is unpredictable—and no one should judge a survivor unless they’ve walked in their shoes.

Recommended for listeners interested in true crime, justice reform, psychological trauma, and the real-life complexities behind famous cases.