MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Episode: "The Confession" (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE)

Date: December 8, 2025
Host: John Allen (a.k.a. MrBallen)

Episode Overview

This chilling episode tells the true-crime story of the murder of Rhonda Boggs, a mother from Pataskala, Ohio, whose brutal killing in 2002 triggered an investigation riddled with misdirection, a coerced confession, and, ultimately, the exoneration of the wrongfully accused. With MrBallen’s signature suspenseful storytelling, the episode traces every twist and emotional turn—from the discovery of Rhonda’s body by a concerned coworker to the dogged private investigation that uncovered the truth.
This is a story about justice, the fallibility of eyewitnesses, and how easy it is for the wrong person to be ensnared in a murder investigation.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Setting the Scene: The Murder of Rhonda Boggs

• [03:31] Rhonda Boggs, age 38, is living a strenuous life—her husband, Dave, is in jail for unpaid child support, and she’s raising their toddler Amanda mostly alone.
• The night before the murder, Rhonda is at home caring for Amanda when she hears footsteps approaching, and glimpses a silhouette outside.

2. The Discovery

• [08:46 – 11:00] Rhonda’s coworker Gary becomes alarmed when she fails to show up for work—decides to drive to her home.
• Gary discovers Amanda in the house alone, crying, and, upon entering, sees bloody footprints and immediately calls the police.

3. Crime Scene & Early Theories

• [13:09] Police Chief Chris Forshe describes a scene of violent struggle: Rhonda has multiple stab wounds and the kitchen is covered in blood.
• The murder weapon—a steak knife from Rhonda’s kitchen—suggests a crime of passion rather than premeditation.
• The house is ransacked (robbery suspected), but with no sign of forced entry, leading investigators to focus on someone Rhonda knew.

4. First Eyewitness: A Child's Testimony

• [18:55] Child services interviews Amanda. When asked who was there, she gestures a stabbing motion and says “Uncle Nick.”
  • Notable Quote:

    “The little girl looked up, jerked her hand toward her neck in a stabbing motion, and quietly said her mother had fallen down and gone to sleep. Then the social worker asked her if anybody else had been there... Amanda said, ‘Uncle Nick.’” ([18:55])

• Police focus on Nick Robinson (“Uncle Nick”), a family friend and handyman who had been helping Rhonda.

5. The Interrogation & Confession

• [22:30] – [26:45] Nick Robinson is arrested; blood stains are found in his car.
• Nick claims an alibi—visiting bars the night of the murder—and denies involvement.
• After hours of interrogation and a failed polygraph, he confesses, offering a story of an alcohol-fueled sexual advance gone wrong.
  • Notable Quote:

    “After hours, around 5am, Nick finally completely broke down and confessed to the murder.” ([26:45])

6. Doubt Emerges: Conflicting Evidence

• [27:50] – [29:35] A bandmate, Bob Sisko, tips off police about another suspect, Chris Williams, a former friend who had previously robbed the Boggs family.
• Police reinterview Amanda; this time she says “Bob did it,” showcasing the unreliability of her testimony at her age.
• Despite this, Nick is indicted for murder.

7. The Private Investigation & The Real Killer

• [31:10] – [40:00]

  • Private investigator Matt Sauer retraces Nick’s steps and finds multiple bartenders who recall Nick’s distinctive T-shirt and presence at their bars the night of the murder, providing a seemingly airtight alibi.

  • Sauer calculates travel times between bars and the crime scene, proving Nick could not have committed the murder.

  • DNA tests on the murder weapon reveal the presence of an unknown third party—not Nick.

  • Notable Quote:

    “The staff at both bars said Nick was wearing the same distinctive T-shirt ... If he’d killed Rhonda in between, wouldn’t that shirt have been covered in blood?” ([33:00])

  • Sauer investigates stolen property, tracing it through a blue Cadillac sold suspiciously after the murder.

  • The sale of the Cadillac leads investigators to Letecia Gordon, who purchased the car and found Rhonda’s stolen belongings and ID inside.

8. The Real Culprit

• [40:50] – [42:36] Sauer’s findings reconstruct the crime: Chris Williams, high on crack and desperate for money, killed Rhonda and stole her possessions. He inadvertently left the evidence that led to his conviction.

  • Notable Quote:

    “Chris Williams, Dave Boggs’s former bandmate who had robbed him and Rhonda once before...was charged with Rhonda's murder, and on March 28, 2005, was found guilty on all counts” ([42:36])

• Nick Robinson is fully exonerated; he goes on to change his life and sues the city for wrongful prosecution.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Unreliability of Eyewitnesses:

  “A toddler was not a reliable eyewitness…could just be throwing out whatever names popped into her head.” ([29:45])

• On Suspect Interrogation:

  “Brooks pulled out the last threat he could think of, which was that if Nick didn’t confess now he could be looking at the death penalty. And at that point it was very clear Nick cracked.” ([26:45])

• Revelation of the Truth:

  “That blue Cadillac had been sold to a woman in Columbus...and she found there was all the stuff piled up in the back…clothes, jewelry, and a purse with somebody’s photo ID—Rhonda Bogg.” ([39:10])

• Justice & Aftermath:

  “After Chris Williams was charged, all charges against Nick Robinson were dropped. For Nick, this completely changed his life. Not just because now he was free, but he stopped drinking, returned to work, and sued the city for $3 million in damages.” ([42:36])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:31] – The night of the murder: Rhonda’s last evening.
• [08:46] – Discovery of the crime by Rhonda’s coworker.
• [13:09] – Police investigation and early theories.
• [18:55] – Amanda’s initial statement: “Uncle Nick.”
• [22:30] – Nick Robinson’s arrest and questioning.
• [26:45] – Nick’s confession under pressure.
• [27:50] – Alternate suspects and flawed child testimony.
• [31:10] – Private investigator uncovers Nick’s alibi.
• [35:11] – DNA on the murder weapon excludes Nick.
• [39:10] – Discovery of Rhonda’s ID in blue Cadillac.
• [40:50] – Reconstructing the crime: Chris Williams identified.
• [42:36] – Chris Williams convicted, Nick Robinson exonerated.

Thematic Highlights

• Fallibility of Eyewitness (especially child) Testimony: The initial focus on Nick derives solely from a traumatized two-year-old’s statement.
• Coerced Confession: The episode details how police pressure and hunger for closure can lead to confessions even from the innocent.
• Value of Gumshoe Investigation: A private investigator, diligent fact-checking, and DNA evidence eventually lead to real justice.
• Lasting Impact: The wrongful accusation devastates Nick’s life—though he recovers, his world is forever altered.

Conclusion

MrBallen’s retelling of Rhonda Boggs’s murder highlights just how easily human error and incomplete investigation can nearly destroy an innocent man’s life. The episode underscores the need for skepticism, thorough investigation, and the dangers of relying on unreliable evidence and pressured confessions. It’s a sobering, haunting story—delivered with empathy, suspense, and the steady voice MrBallen fans have come to trust.

If you’re drawn to strange, dark, and mysterious true stories told with gripping detail, make sure to subscribe to the MrBallen Podcast for more episodes like this one.