4. The Sentencing

Summary

Murder on Songbird Road: Episode 4 - The Sentencing

Introduction

In Episode 4, titled "The Sentencing," of the gripping true-crime series Murder on Songbird Road, hosts Lauren Bright Pacheco and criminal defense attorney Bob Mata delve into the critical moment of Julia Beverly's sentencing. This episode meticulously examines whether the conviction was just or if an innocent woman remains wrongfully imprisoned, unraveling the complex web of evidence, community impact, and familial dynamics that have surrounded this controversial case.

Courtroom Proceedings and Verdict

The episode opens with Lauren and Bob attending the sentencing at the Williamson County Courthouse in Marion. Described as a "boxy modern brick building" with an industrial aesthetic, the courthouse sets a stern backdrop for the emotionally charged hearing.[36:54]

Lauren narrates, "Julia Beverly was found guilty in February of murdering Jay Beasley in 2020, so it took about eight months for the sentencing hearing to play out after the conviction" [36:18]. Julia Beverly enters the courtroom clad in an orange jumpsuit, her demeanor shifting from a blank expression to a somber acknowledgment of her son Jaden.[36:31]

The Sentencing Decision

Judge Stephen Green presides over the hearing, addressing a motion for a new trial filed by the defense, which he promptly denies due to the "substantial evidence presented at the trial."[37:24] The prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor Jennifer Mudge, recommends a sentence of over 45 years, while the defense advocates for the minimum of 20 years, citing Beverly's lack of prior criminal history.[39:13]

Ultimately, Judge Green imposes a 55-year sentence. Lauren describes the immediate reactions in the courtroom as "polarizing," with grief-stricken Beasley family members weeping and Beverly herself "in tears," embracing her loved ones before being escorted away.[39:30]

Family Dynamics and Reactions

Post-sentencing, Lauren and Bob reflect on the courtroom's emotional landscape. Bob shares, "Watching the dynamics in the courtroom was really interesting because I'm always on the other side of the bar. This is really the first time I've ever been in the gallery, like watching it as a straight-up observer."[39:51] The contrast between the mourning Beasley family and the visibly distraught Beverly highlights the deep divisions and emotional toll of the case.

Renee Hightower, Julia Beverly's mother, presents an elaborate protest display at her home, featuring a "graveyard with nine headstones" dedicated to individuals she believes are responsible for her daughter's conviction. Lauren notes, "The artistry and humor intertwined with the anger that fueled the hours that must have gone into crafting the incredibly detailed pieces is daunting and somewhat heartbreaking."[18:55]

Questioning the Prosecution’s Case

Throughout the episode, Lauren and Bob scrutinize the prosecution's version of events. They revisit the crucial evidence presented against Beverly, particularly her alleged disposal of evidence at the Hucks gas station. Bob challenges the plausibility of Beverly's actions, stating, "She pulls in, you know, because she has two young children who are still pooping in diapers. Occasionally, as a parent, you know, there are times that you have to change the diaper in the car. It happens."[05:26]

Further analysis questions the timing and handling of evidence. Maria points out, "If someone moved the car and they had interacted with Julie, it's quite possible that that was transference." [23:15] The absence of Jade Beasley's blood in Beverly's car and the minimal DNA evidence raised significant doubts about the prosecution's claims.[06:18]

Religious Undertones and Victim Impact Statement

A striking element discussed is the role of religion in the sentencing. During the victim impact statement, the great aunt mentioned, "I may not have given birth to you, but you will always be my baby," referencing the infant daughter born to Beverly while in custody. She connects this to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, underscoring themes of betrayal and punishment.[41:02]

Bob observes the religious language used, noting, "Darkness, the light, evil," which he interprets as indicative of underlying biases and possibly religious motivations influencing the perception of justice in the courtroom.[42:18]

Familial Support and Community Impact

The episode highlights the unwavering support from Beverly's brothers, Michael and Ricky, who vehemently deny her guilt. Michael shares, "It's like if some flat earther was like trying to tell me the earth was flat, there's no way," emphasizing the family's disbelief in her conviction.[32:58]

Renee Hightower's involvement extends beyond grief; she has become a vocal critic of the judicial process, channeling her pain into creative protests that symbolically represent her quest for justice. Maria remarks, "This is what somebody who's out of F's to give looks like," encapsulating Renee's determination and the family's resilience.[19:00]

Conclusion and Ongoing Questions

As the episode concludes, Lauren and Bob reflect on the ambiguities surrounding Julia Beverly's conviction. They ponder whether true justice has been served or if systemic flaws have led to an innocent woman’s prolonged suffering. The unresolved elements of the case, including unexplained DNA transfers and questionable evidence handling, leave listeners with lingering doubts about the integrity of the judicial outcome.

Lauren teases the next episode, stating, "On the next Murder on Songbird Road, we uncover the details of Beverly's treatment in custody," promising to further investigate potential miscarriages of justice and deepen the inquiry into whether Julia Beverly was rightfully convicted or a victim of a flawed legal system.[43:34]

Notable Quotes

• Bob Mata [05:26]: "She pulls in, you know, because she has two young children who are still pooping in diapers. Occasionally, as a parent, you know, there are times that you have to change the diaper in the car. It happens."

• Michael [32:58]: "It's like if some flat earther was like trying to tell me the earth was flat, there's no way."

• Maria Tremarkey [42:18]: "Darkness, the light, evil."

• Renee Hightower [Various]: "The artistry and humor intertwined with the anger that fueled the hours that must have gone into crafting the incredibly detailed pieces is daunting and somewhat heartbreaking."

Final Thoughts

Episode 4 of Murder on Songbird Road serves as a pivotal chapter in the ongoing examination of Julia Beverly's conviction. Through detailed courtroom observations, familial interviews, and critical analysis of the prosecution's case, Lauren Bright Pacheco and Bob Mata present a compelling narrative that challenges listeners to question the veracity of the judicial outcome. As the series progresses, it continues to illuminate the profound impact of this case on all involved, keeping audiences engaged and eager for the truth to unfold.

Transcript

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Join late night legend Jon Stewart and the best news team for today's biggest headlines, exclusive extended interviews and more. Now, this is the second term we can all get behind. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarke. And I'm Holly Fry. Together we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime. Each season we explore a new theme. From poisoners to art thieves, we uncover the secrets of history's most interesting figures, from legal injustices to body snatching. And tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in cocktails and mocktails inspired by each story. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It was big news. I mean, white girl gets murdered, found in a cemetery. Big, big news. A long investigation stalls until someone changes their story.

[Holly Fry]

I, like, saw something that happened.

[Maria Tremarkey]

An arrest, trial and conviction soon follow. He did not kill her. There's no way is the real killer.

[Nancy Grace]

Rightly behind bars or still walking free.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Did you kill her? Listen to the real Killer, Season 3.

[Nancy Grace]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nancy Grace]

Beautiful young women full of life and dreams, murdered or vanished without a trace. Their families left with nothing but heartbreak, questions and memories. I'm Nancy Grace. This week on Crime Stories, we uncover the truth behind these unsolved cases. We work to bring justice and answers to grieving families. Please don't miss Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Murder on Songbird Road is a production of iHeart podcasts. Previously on Murder on Songbird Road.

[Bob Mata]

So I wanted to interview her. I wanted to get factually what her side of the story was.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Since Mot is still a licensed attorney, he was able to meet with Beverly in privacy anytime there were issues with.

[Bob Mata]

Jade, Jessica would never communicate with Julie. She would always go to Mike.

[Maria Tremarkey]

This strained, if not non existent, relationship with Jessica could shed some light on the lack of support for Julia in the days and hours immediately following the murder.

[Bob Mata]

And so she's like, I tell Jade, I'm going to be gone a couple hours. Just play on your phone, I'll be back. She's like, it wasn't unusual for Us to leave Jayden and Jade.

[Maria Tremarkey]

In Illinois, it is illegal to leave a child under the age of 14 home alone.

[Bob Mata]

And she claims that as soon as she pulls the storm open that she notices blood in the living room. It's somebody clad in all black, it's got a mask on, black gloves, comes charging at her, and that he's got a knife. This was the front door. This is where it went down with the masked marauder. For to believe that story, I'm Lauren.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Brett Pacheco, and this is Murder on Songbird. Julia Beverly's sentencing was set for Friday 13th October, 2023. Bob Mata and I were in Marion to attend it in person. The woman found guilty of murdering Jay.

[Bob Mata]

Beasley will be sentenced today.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

That's happening at the Williamston county courthouse at 1 this afternoon. It took the jury less than two hours to find her guilty on three.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Counts of first degree murder.

[Bob Mata]

All right, so let's figure out where the Hawks is. Hi, Renee. Good morning.

[Holly Fry]

Hi. Good morning.

[Maria Tremarkey]

We're going to head over to Hucks now, but there are three Hucks in the general vicinity. Which one did she go to?

[Holly Fry]

It's going to be the one on DeYoung Street.

[Bob Mata]

Okay, so the closest. The closest one, It'll be on DeYoung or Route 13. If there's one that's 2.7 miles on East DeYoung. There's one that's. Okay, so it's not the one 5 miles on West.

[Maria Tremarkey]

No.

[Bob Mata]

Okay. Okay.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Okay. We're heading there now, and then we're gonna head over. What time are you guys going? Bob Mata and I were scheduled to sit down with Beverly's mother, Renee and her siblings before the sentencing. On our way to Hightower's home, we decided to clock the time it would take us to get from the location on Songbird Road where Jade was murdered to the Hucks gas station where the prosecution contends Beverly disposed of evidence. Beverly maintained she was simply tossing dirty diapers before turning around and heading home for her credit cards. Turn right onto Corey League.

[Bob Mata]

Okay, so, yeah, we're going the right way. Okay. So if we're to believe the state's theory, she has committed the murder at this point. Okay.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Because has washed up thoroughly.

[Bob Mata]

Washed up thoroughly.

[Maria Tremarkey]

She would have had to have transported stuff, put it into a bag.

[Bob Mata]

Correct. And unless she talking about bloody clothes.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And so she would have been wearing gloves, or there would be some kind of cross contamination.

[Bob Mata]

Right. And you're talking about a. Either a garbage bag or plastic bag filled with bloody clothes and a Knife, which I'm assuming would be poking holes in the plastic bag. Just common sense. All right, so we're gonna take this right on the Corey League Road.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And unless you double or triple wrapped that plastic bag, you would have gotten some kind of blood on the exterior as you were loading the stuff in.

[Bob Mata]

There have been some kind of biological material somewhere in this car.

[Maria Tremarkey]

A point of note. No blood belonging to Jade Beasley was found anywhere in Beverly's car. There was a small speck found on the wheel attributed to both Beverly and Jade's father, Mike, which is not surprising given the shared use of the car. Back to clocking the drive, it was.

[Bob Mata]

About 3.3 miles from the house to the gas station. We are three minutes into the drive now. Still got about 2.5 miles. It's not a straightaway. You're having to slow down now. You have to try to imagine what would be going through somebody's mind if they just committed a brutal homicide like that.

[Maria Tremarkey]

If you are a compartmentalized killer, you are thinking, look normal, don't attract suspicion. Drive slowly.

[Bob Mata]

Right. Don't get pulled over. Now, I'm curious. It doesn't seem like this is a highly policed area back here. I'm imagining it's either Marion or the county sheriff is the only ones ever back here.

[Maria Tremarkey]

But also, houses are close to the road, and you would be aware of dogs or children or, you know, running out onto the road. You wouldn't tear through these.

[Bob Mata]

You're not. Yeah. You're not doing 75 back here for sure. Like, I'm going 38 maybe.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And that feels quick. Yeah. And appropriate.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Rural back roads gave into more suburban sprawl as we got closer to De Young. It is a blinking solar stop sign. So there must be enough traffic on the road to warrant that.

[Bob Mata]

That looks like a main thoroughfare, what we just turned off of. And this one does as well. It's relatively freshly paved. Much more residential housing on this street.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And higher end looking homes for sure.

[Bob Mata]

Newer built as well.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Permanent driveways.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah. And I would hazard to guess these were all built in the last 10 to 15 years, it looks like to me. We're about six minutes into the drive. We're about a mile from the gas station.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And it very much is a little suburban community nestled around a cornfield.

[Bob Mata]

Yes. Like, I can guarantee that at one point, this was all farmland not too long ago. All right, so we are on the stretch run. Nine tenths of a mile. You can see the Marion water tower. We've got a main Thoroughfare to our left over here, that looks like the.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And another church. I mean, there. You can't throw a stone without hitting a church. Cast a stone without hitting a church.

[Bob Mata]

There we go.

[Maria Tremarkey]

In a quarter mile, turn right onto Illinois 13.

[Bob Mata]

All right, so we're 7/10. So we're getting onto DeYoung, which is where the hucks is.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah. And we're already 7 minutes and 30 seconds in about.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah, all right, we're making that turn. Okay, so she's gonna get into her left lane here. It's a two lane highway. We're hitting a light. Just beyond this light is gonna be the Hawks on the left.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And you know what? I understand why she would have pulled in there to turn around, because now we're in a much more commercial multi lane main road.

[Bob Mata]

And this makes me feel way better about her story because this is the first and only light that we've hit. This is where she claims that she goes into her purse and realizes that she did not have her cards with her. When she told me the story last night, she was like. Well, it was like halfway. This is eye shot of the Hawks.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah.

[Bob Mata]

Okay, so that makes way more sense to me why she would have just continued to go to the Hawks for nothing else to turn around to go back. You know what I'm saying? I mean, that makes way more sense to me.

[Maria Tremarkey]

We pulled up along the gas pumps at Hawks where Julia Beverly was captured on security cam discarding a small plastic bag.

[Bob Mata]

So we have three lanes of pumps, all of which have garbage receptacles in between the sets of pumps.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And when we say garbage, I mean we're talking garbage cans. We're not talking a dumpster.

[Bob Mata]

Exactly.

[Maria Tremarkey]

But interestingly enough, the one that we just pulled up to has contracting debris exactly in it.

[Bob Mata]

All right, so took us 9, 9 minutes, 15 seconds to get here, catching that light, which we knew she caught the light as well, when she realizes that she doesn't have her debit card.

[Maria Tremarkey]

This is important to note because the prosecution contends it would have taken Beverly six to seven minutes to make the drive. Google Maps approximates seven, but with having to wait out the red light, it took us over nine.

[Bob Mata]

She pulls in, you know, because she has two young children who are still pooping in diapers. Occasionally, as a parent, you know, there are times that you have to change the diaper in the car. It happens. So she has the bag with the poopy diapers, gets out, and she's going to, I'm assuming, opens the back door right? Grabs diapers, maybe she reaches around, grabs them and then she's going to go dump right into this receptacle. And we'll have to ask her which one she went to, if she went closest to. Cuz I'm going to take a, a walk and see where the camera is.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Okay, but this is a busy, very busy, very busy street. Very busy. If you were to see disposing of bloody clothes and a murder weapon.

[Bob Mata]

Right.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Would you do it in broad daylight in front of multiple people and by multiple people. These are gas pumps. You have somebody five feet away from you at all times.

[Bob Mata]

And we're talking this is in the morning on December 5th. Daylight. Like this is a busy gas station. I mean there's people here, a lot of people, a lot of traffic, a lot of foot traffic. People getting in and out of their vehicles. All right, I'm going to walk up, I want to see. I think I can see a camera there. She comes here, it's about an 18 inch opening. Dumps the bag in here. Now she would have gotten right back into the vehicle. From what I've heard, they're able to see her toss the bag. And I'm curious if we can see what type of bag it was. Is it a bag from Kroger, like the plastic bags they bag your groceries in or is it a garbage bag?

[Maria Tremarkey]

We've confirmed that it does appear to be a plastic shopping bag from Walmart.

[Bob Mata]

Exactly. So there's the camera.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Oh, there's another one over there.

[Bob Mata]

Okay. All right, so that would have been the one that would have caught those pumps over there. Imagining. So this is.

[Maria Tremarkey]

So then that's even more suspicious because why would you go to the closest pump where you can be monitored by the person looking out the window?

[Bob Mata]

Exactly. There's 12 pumps. This is a busy gas station and we're within 45 minutes of. Wish you would have been here, you know. And this hawks has a full convenience store in here. I mean small towns like this, I.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Mean it has get breakfast lottery, slot machines. Why are you pulling up here if you don't want to bring attention to.

[Bob Mata]

Place possible to dump evidence of crime.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And there's a recreation center right there.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah, like, I mean that's a full park there. Full children's park with a full playground in there.

[Maria Tremarkey]

The huck station on DeYoung Route 13 Beverly crossed over oncoming lanes of traffic to pull into boasted heightened security in keeping with the amount of money and traffic that combination of business would attract Standing at this very busy gas station casino. It was Pretty obvious there were many places that would have been better suited for discarding murder evidence, including the rural area surrounded by abandoned baseball fields where the murder occurred.

[Bob Mata]

From that light, there's five businesses. All that would have been on the side of the road that she was driving on, which all would have made more sense if you're dumping evidence.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And there was something else that Hucks was just a block and a half away from another gas station, one that was managed by Beverly's mother, Renee Hightower. Why wouldn't Beverly have gone there if she was ditching evidence? Yes. Story does not make sense from the prosecution's standpoint right now. For all the bumps that we're seeing from Julie's version, it's not sensical from the prosecutions. Murder on Songbird Road will be back after the break.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports, and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast podcasts.

[Nancy Grace]

Beautiful young women full of life and dreams, murdered or vanished without a trace. Their families left with nothing but heartbreak, questions, and memories. I'm Nancy Grace. This week on Crime Stories, we uncover the truth behind these unsolved cases. We work to bring justice and answers to grieving families. Please don't miss Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Here again is Murder on Songbird Road. The reality was that Beverly was about to be sentenced for a crime she may not have committed. That weighed heavily as we left the Huck station and drove to Renee Hightower's home.

[Bob Mata]

All right, so we're gonna head to Julie's mother's house.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Renee. That home belonged to Renee's mother, who passed a little over a year after watching her granddaughter arrested there. All right, I think we're going to know it's Renee's home when we see the Halloween decorations, right? Hightower's modest home is situated about 8 miles northwest of where the murder occurred. When I Google mapped the address, the image that appeared showed a large we still stand with Julie banner hanging from the front porch. But we were anticipating a much bigger display in person. Oh, my gosh. We get to see the Halloween decorations up close.

[Bob Mata]

In person.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Up close. I'll grab my. Do you want your notebook?

[Bob Mata]

Oh, I do.

[Maria Tremarkey]

You've got all the gear for Halloween. Renee Hightower had transformed her entire front lawn and porch into an elaborate and creative protest display, with individual vignettes targeting every individual she believes corrupt or at fault regarding her daughter's conviction. Okay, now wait. We have to look at these. Danny Boy Bias. Justice sentenced the dishonorable judge Pink, severely blinded by tunnel vision, told wrong storyline and tripped up, lost his memory and left wandering.

[Bob Mata]

Wow.

[Maria Tremarkey]

She posted video of the installation on Facebook, but it was even more impressive in person.

[Bob Mata]

Renee has a graveyard with nine headstones, all relating to people that I think that she believes pretty strongly screwed her daughter.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Oh, my gosh. And look at the front. They lied and manipulated an investigation.

[Bob Mata]

Oh. It's called the Shady Blue Cemetery.

[Maria Tremarkey]

The artistry and humor intertwined with the anger that fueled the hours that must have gone into crafting the incredibly detailed pieces is daunting and somewhat heartbreaking.

[Bob Mata]

So this is what a mom fighting for justice looks like up close and personal.

[Maria Tremarkey]

This is what somebody who's out of Fs to give.

[Bob Mata]

Yep.

[Jon Stewart]

Yep.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah. Well, she's calling it like she sees it, you know, which I respect. So I'm a big fan of that, you know. All right, let's go in. Who's this Danny boy?

[Maria Tremarkey]

I don't know. I'll have to ask. Bias.

[Bob Mata]

It's gotta be a reporter.

[Maria Tremarkey]

It was indeed referencing local reporter Danny Valle, who I have found to be very candid and thoughtful in revisiting his covering of the case. Oh, yes, he is. Because there is. Oh, she even has the news flag attached to the microphone. Hi. Hi. Hi.

[Holly Fry]

Nice to meet you.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Nice to meet you. Renee radiates a very grounded energy in person. She's direct and controlled. Quick to laughter at times, but otherwise pretty stoic. It's not at all surprising. She was married to a cop at one point and has two sons in the armed forces. She favors non frilly dark clothing, which complements her dark hair, which is often topped with a hat of some sort. She's only about five foot one, but there's nothing petite or meek about her. It's fitting she's a manager. She comes across as one who gets things done. Upon entering the house, we were immediately met by piles of neatly wrapped and stacked Christmas presents, even though it wasn't even Halloween yet.

[Bob Mata]

Christmas really, really early Makes me feel.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Like a total piece of shit in real time. We realized Renee wasn't ahead of Christmas, but rather it was postponed when Julia Beverly was arrested.

[Holly Fry]

These are the presents sitting from three years ago.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Oh, wow.

[Holly Fry]

Still waiting.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Hey, I'm Lauren.

[Holly Fry]

This is my oldest son, Michael.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, man.

[Bob Mata]

And the puppies, was that a cat or a puppy?

[Holly Fry]

Puppies. My grandson, man.

[Bob Mata]

You watch. I'm Bob. Nice to meet you.

[Maria Tremarkey]

I'm Lauren. Nice to meet you. We settled down at her dining room table with Renee and Julia, Beverly's oldest brother. Michael and Michael. You flew in two days ago?

[Michael]

Yes.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Okay. And where. Where do you live?

[Michael]

I'm in. In California.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Got it, Got it. Michael, like all of Renee's four children, is mixed race. He's reserved, thoughtful, and clean cut. All in keeping with his profession as an aviation mechanic in the US Navy. Like all of her sons, he stands just under 6 foot, towering compared to the petite sister he's traveled to support. At sentencing, he listens intently, taking in the two strangers at his mother's table. And their microphones went out to the property.

[Bob Mata]

Made the drive to Hawks eight minutes or so about with nine minutes.

[Maria Tremarkey]

So we caught the light.

[Bob Mata]

I spent a couple hours, maybe two and a half, freezing my butt off in the Williamson county jail over there.

[Holly Fry]

Yeah, that's what Julie was saying.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Stacked next to Renee are multiple large binders she's been filling with every news clip, social media post, or official record of the murder for which her daughter is about to be sentenced. There are about five or six of them, and they're all full.

[Holly Fry]

I wanted to show you. You guys were talking about the house.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah.

[Holly Fry]

And this kind of shows you a.

[Bob Mata]

Little bit the lay of the land.

[Holly Fry]

The lay of it. The way it was set out there. So you can kind of see.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Hightower wanted to share photos of the crime scene that show Beverly's car was moved before it was examined by the crime scene investigator.

[Holly Fry]

So this one is the very first picture where Julie's car is way there in the driveway.

[Bob Mata]

Okay.

[Holly Fry]

And then the others we took to show where it's moved. And this is like a straight on vision of the house.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Okay, so show me. Show me the car being moved, where it was and where.

[Holly Fry]

Right here is her car. Way up there. Right here.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Okay.

[Holly Fry]

And they moved it over here. For what reason? Don't know.

[Bob Mata]

Like, what's the time frame of the car being moved?

[Holly Fry]

This is. You can see the ambulance are there.

[Bob Mata]

Okay.

[Holly Fry]

And this, you see they're rolling out the tape here and her car's been moved. Julie was still there when they were rolling out the tape.

[Maria Tremarkey]

So did they ask her for her keys? Were her keys in the car?

[Holly Fry]

She was on the porch, hysterical.

[Maria Tremarkey]

I was trying to tell Bob. They found a DNA thing in the car.

[Holly Fry]

What they found in the car was little tiny specks like the top of an eraser head. It was only Julie's blood they did test. And the DNA that was found in the car was on the steering wheel, and it was mine because they both drive the car. No blood. It was just his DNA.

[Maria Tremarkey]

If someone moved the car and they had interacted with Julie, it's quite possible that that was transference.

[Holly Fry]

Quite possible.

[Maria Tremarkey]

No acknowledgement of Beverly's car ever having been moved has been mentioned. Not during the trial or in any official documents Renee has seen being moved at the crime scene by someone other than Beverly. Aside, her vehicle wasn't processed by the crime scene investigator until December 7, two days after the murder and after it had been moved into storage. That leads us back to the evidence the prosecution believes Beverly drove to hucks to discard.

[Bob Mata]

So today we took the exact same route she took. All rural until you hit the young. And that light is like a half a block. So like that made way more sense to me, frankly. That's where she's turning around. She pulls into the hawks to turn back to go back to the house. You know, she's first telling me the story and I'm like, why are you still going to Hawks? That's sus to me. It doesn't make any sense. So now when we did the drive, it made way more sense.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Cause you realize you're on a multi lane busy road and you need to turn around. We went in and looked at the security camera setup they have there. She would have known because you manage a gas station that that would probably be the worst possible place if you wanted anonymity or that's not where you.

[Bob Mata]

Go to dump out things, period. You know, it's like. Because you're trying to.

[Holly Fry]

And then tell them about it.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah, right, exactly.

[Michael]

Yeah, we did tell them about it. And they looked and they didn't find it, right?

[Holly Fry]

Nothing.

[Bob Mata]

Nothing.

[Holly Fry]

Yeah, yeah, no.

[Maria Tremarkey]

But then they go to the dump and find three unrelated items.

[Bob Mata]

Do you guys know, like, there's no way in any trial that I'm a part of as an attorney that they're getting that into evidence ever.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Much was made by the prosecution of the extensive search of the dump by investigators while their digging at the dump did End up unearthing a discarded shower curtain and several random utensils. None of those things were linked by DNA to the crime scene.

[Holly Fry]

When this officer was on the stand, theme crossed and said, do these have any relation to this case? No. Any relation to any case In Marriott.

[Maria Tremarkey]

It'S the damage is done.

[Bob Mata]

There's an old saying that you can't unring a bell and you can take the skunk out of the jury box, but you can't get rid of the smell, you know, and that's exactly when, when that. When knives are introduced of any kind in a juror's mind. I gotta see. Do you have the trailer?

[Holly Fry]

Who has therapy? I do not.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Therese Thien was Julie Beverly's public defender. While preparing for Beverly's trial, she lost two different second chairs before ultimately heading into court unassisted. A second chair is a lawyer who assists the lead attorney in court. Their role includes knowing key documents and exhibits, taking comprehensive notes, and assisting in strategic preparations for trial. Tom Slayton was the inn's initial second chair and interviewed Beverly in the first six months after her arrest before going over to the prosecution. This conflict is why a special prosecutor, Jennifer Mudge, was brought in. It is hard to speculate as to why random items with no connection to the crime or crime scene were ever ruled admissible.

[Bob Mata]

I mean that's incredibly damning like to.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Adjust because that gives them reasonable doubt of her innocence.

[Bob Mata]

It's there. I don't care what the asks after the fact. You know that because people consider that just lawyering. Oh, it's a defense lawyer. Lawyer.

[Holly Fry]

That's exactly how it was portrayed in social media because everybody, oh, they found their weapons. This is what they were though. They were busted. One was a small sickle and one was a bread knife, a serrated bread knife.

[Bob Mata]

They're not the murder weapons. But. But like what gets portrayed in social media is exactly what is going through the jurors minds.

[Maria Tremarkey]

It's.

[Bob Mata]

It's like a mirror image. I always say it like when I'm doing like court TV stuff or whatever. I always reference my Twitter account because I'm very active about the cases that I'm covering on there. And I know what the temperature is on, on cases in terms of what the people who I consider to be exactly who are the jurors in that box. This is what their temperature is in terms of that defendant in any case. And it's always the mirror image. And I know from 20 years of doing this that is what the jury is thinking. It's going to Mirror with the people, just regular lay people that are following the case. That's what they're going to be thinking.

[Maria Tremarkey]

During the trial, Mike Beasley was not asked if he recognized any of the items that were implied came from his house, including a purple shower curtain brandishing a giant butterfly. No shower curtain was reported missing from the crime scene. And Renee says the couple wouldn't have owned one that looked like that. The other thing that strikes me is so odd. There is no way that if my daughter had been killed and my significant other had wrestled with an intruder that I would not be with my. I mean, basically wife.

[Bob Mata]

Well, the mother of two of your kids.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah.

[Holly Fry]

Michael was with me that night when we took Julie over to see him. And it was DCFS that got there right when we did. Right. Because she came up and talked to Julie and she kind of told Julie that she wouldn't be able to see her children and that Julie started crying again and she wanted to talk to.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Mike because then night of. Of the tragedy, she's not allowed to see her kids. Right. You know, she's not been formally charged with anything, and she's not allowed to see her children.

[Bob Mata]

I mean, that doesn't surprise me. Like, we can't pretend for, like, one second that she's not the prime suspect again. She's the last people, like, last person to see Jade alive. She's calling it in. She was at the scene. Like, I get it. Like, that doesn't surprise me because that's just how law enforcement are operates. You know what I'm saying? Like, the problem is they. They form the tunnel vision immediately within I don't know how many minutes of speaking with her. And whatever cops are initially there, they're like. Like, in their minds, I don't give a. What they're saying in the reports. They're immediately like, she's the one. In terms of the relationship between Mike, To Lauren's point, if I'm rolling up home and I see 10 police cars out there, or if I've gotten a call from law enforcement, like, yeah, you need to get home right now. There's something tragic has happened. And I'm speeding home, and they're telling me, well, your daughter's been murdered. And they're telling me, I can't talk to my wife, I'm, like, losing my mind. The concept of him cutting off all communications to this day, without a word being spoken between the two of them is beyond bizarre. And that's not me saying that I think Mike's involved in any way Shape or form. But it's. It's a very befuddling situation for me to try to wrap my mind around.

[Michael]

It's crazy to me. I've always thought that he's a passive guy.

[Bob Mata]

So Julie said the exact same thing. Like she termed it completely non confrontational.

[Michael]

Yes, absolutely. So, you know, she. I feel like Julie would kind of like would get her way. Right. So he's just kind of letting them lead him along.

[Bob Mata]

Right.

[Michael]

So he just kind of will go with whatever. So if Julie is not there, I kind of feel like he would just listen to whatever.

[Bob Mata]

Whoever's giving him whatever story and of.

[Michael]

You know, of course he's grieving at that point, but he just, he. He kind of lets someone else take over anyways.

[Bob Mata]

Julie, you guys, any of you spoken to him?

[Michael]

He won't.

[Bob Mata]

He.

[Michael]

He wouldn't answer. I tried to get a hold of him a couple times. He wouldn't answer. But me, I didn't really have us. Not like a bad relationship with him, but I've always been away, so I've seen him on holidays and stuff, but. And we were fine.

[Bob Mata]

But it wasn't like you guys weren't.

[Maria Tremarkey]

You didn't socialize outside of the gatherings? No, no.

[Bob Mata]

When.

[Michael]

When he was here, I socialized more with the kids than him. He was just kind of. He's quiet and he. I don't know, I feel like he just, he kind of let Julie lead him in their life. I don't want to say like he wasn't there for anything, but he just kind of sat back and let her run the house. So I think his mom also did that for him before he met Julie.

[Maria Tremarkey]

So if Julia Beverly was somewhat mothering in her relationship with Mike Beasley, it's that same maternal nature that makes her murder conviction so unbelievable to all her three brothers, including the youngest one, Ricky, who joined us at the table. He serves in the United States Air Force and for years was in the Air Force honor guard.

[Michael]

I was just shocked at first hearing that supposedly Julie did it. And you know, I'm running back through childhood memories.

[Maria Tremarkey]

I'm just like, there's no way.

[Michael]

It's like if some flat earther was like trying to tell me the earth.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Was flat, there's no way.

[Michael]

But they're trying to tell me no, it's proof now. I'm like, no.

[Maria Tremarkey]

I mean, that's what I've known my whole life. I've known Julie my whole life. All these examples about family and stuff didn't make sense.

[Bob Mata]

Yeah.

[Michael]

Especially because on Holidays. She will. She'll have two babies on her. You know what I'm saying? She sit at the kids table. She'll. You know what I'm like.

[Maria Tremarkey]

She's.

[Michael]

She's her mom. When we went to Salem for Nikki's wedding, and she's taking care of other people's kids, like, all that, they all just went to her. No one even asked her to because she just ended up watching everyone's kids.

[Bob Mata]

She was a mom. I went through.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah. So what do you guys think is gonna go down today?

[Holly Fry]

Well, I'm almost certain it'll be a denial, but like I tell Julie, whatever happens today, it's a positive move forward. I just hate that she's even in this position. I think about what she's feeling, going through it, and it bothers me because I can't fix it.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah. But, I mean, the truth remains. And that's the thing. I mean, I want to make it really clear all of you guys cared about Jade.

[Holly Fry]

Yes.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah.

[Michael]

Yes.

[Maria Tremarkey]

You don't just want justice for Julie on this. Right. You want justice for Jade. Mm. We'll be right back with Murder on Songbird Road.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. The Daily show podcast has everything you need to stay on top of today's news and pop culture. You get hilarious satirical takes on entertainment, politics, sports, and more from John and the team of correspondents and contributors. The podcast also has content you can't get anywhere else, like extended interviews and a roundup of the weekly headlines. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nancy Grace]

Beautiful young women full of life and dreams, murdered or vanished without a trace. Their families left with nothing but heartbreak, questions, and memories. I mean, hello, I'm Nancy Grace. This week on Crime Stories, we uncover the truth behind these unsolved cases. We work to bring justice and answers to grieving families. Please don't miss Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Now back to Murder on Songbird. Next, we headed to her sentencing, which took place in Williamson County Courthouse in Marion. It's a boxy modern brick building which was apparently built in 1971 with minimal use of windows so as to maximize energy efficiency. The resulting structure resembles an industrial warehouse. After clearing security, Bob and I sat in the back of the small courtroom, which was clearly divided by families and loyalties. Jade's relations sat to the left and Beverly's to the right. Local reporter Danny Valle was there.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

Julia Beverly was found guilty in February of murdering Jay Beasley in 2020, so it took about eight months for the sentencing hearing to play out after the conviction, Beverly entered the courtroom today in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit.

[Maria Tremarkey]

I had not met Julia Beverly in person yet, but heard her arrival before I saw her. The courtroom quieted as a metallic clanking signaled the entrance of a petite woman clad in an orange prison issued jumpsuit, her steps slow, deliberate and weighted by the heavy chains that shackled her petite frame. Her hair was down and long, the length underscoring the time passed since her arrest nearly three years ago. Beverly's face remained blank as she entered the room until her eyes met with those of her eldest son Jaden, who was seated with Renee and her brothers. She acknowledged them all with a slight nod as her mouth gave way to a hint of the smile I'd seen on her social media. Though heavier and short lived, her face turned somber again as she turned towards the bench. All but the top of her head was engulfed by her chair once seated.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

Judge Stephen Green considering a motion today to a new trial that was filed by the defense just a couple of days ago, but Judge Green denied the motion due to substantial evidence presented at the trial and before Green read the sentence, a family member from the Beasley side was allowed to read a victim an impact statement saying that Beasley's death will continue to haunt the family.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Mike Beasley was seated with a woman I recognized from his social media posts as Brooke. They apparently worked together for years at Cracker Barrel and according to their social media timelines, appear to have started a relationship within months after the murder. This didn't go unnoticed by Beverly's friends and family. According to screengrabs Renee has shared, Brooke's social media often appeared to target Beverly, her friends and family, while very much implying she was now raising Beverly's three youngest children as her own. In one post, she snuggles Beverly's youngest son, who was born after Beverly's arrest, with the caption I may not have given birth to you, but you will always be my baby. Another one shows the infant, whose name has apparently been changed to Cain, wearing a navy shirt emblazoned with the words Raised by an awesome mama. Renee Hightower finds this especially painful given her absolute lack of access to her grandchildren since the murder, pain that is further compounded by the details of Beverly's birth while in custody of Williamson County Jail awaiting trial. They remain deeply disturbing. We'll break them down in much more detail in our next episode. Back to the sentencing.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

This courtroom was packed. There were 60 people inside the courtroom to hear the sentence and eventually of increased police presence there.

[Maria Tremarkey]

No recording was allowed, but Mata and I were able to bring in small pads and writing implements.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

Special prosecutor Jennifer Mudge recommended a sentence of over 45 years. The defense countered with a recommendation of the minimum 20 years. And they say it's because Beverly had no prior criminal history. Green said he took everything into account and then handed down a 55 year sentence.

[Maria Tremarkey]

The reaction in the courtroom was as immediate as it was polarizing.

[Lauren Bright Pacheco]

Some of the Beasley family were driven to tears as they heard the sentence. Beverly was also in tears and was allowed to hug multiple family members before being taken into custody and escorted to the Williamson County Jail.

[Maria Tremarkey]

After the sentencing, Mata and I compared notes.

[Bob Mata]

Watching the dynamics in the courtroom was really interesting because I'm always on the other side of the bar. This is really the first time I've ever been in the gallery, like washing it as a straight up observer. And it was really interesting. And we had gone in and we had told Renee, look, we're neutral. We're Switzerland in this thing here right now.

[Maria Tremarkey]

But there were only two places you could sit, right? And there was no room on Mike's, Mike's side and Jessica's family side.

[Bob Mata]

So we, we had no choice. It was just a really interesting dynamic. After the sentence was laid down by the judge, we see these two opposite sides. We see weeping, sadness, Julie getting last hugs with her loved ones, sobbing as.

[Maria Tremarkey]

She hugs her eldest son Jaden goodbye.

[Bob Mata]

And we see joy, which seems so odd. It doesn't cure any. You know what I'm saying? It doesn't make anything better. It doesn't heal the wound. I guess it's like it's the only form of justice that we have. But the question that we have now is, is it justice? It's not justice if the wrong person has just been sentenced 55 years in prison because she didn't do it.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And if she didn't do it, that means whoever killed Jade, it's still out there. But what stuck out to both of us was the theme of religion. When Jade's great aunt, on behalf of the family, addressed Beverly before her sentencing, the word Christianity was almost wielded as a weapon and that Beverly had not won because the children would be raised Christians. In the victim impact statement. It was very interesting that when she listed Mike and Julie's three children. She really punched the fact that they had changed her son, the infant she gave birth to in jail. And they changed it to Cain, as.

[Bob Mata]

In Cain and Abel.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Cain and Abel. Which is Bible. Cain killed Abel. Towards the end of that statement, Mata scribbled down something and tilted his paper towards me. Holy shit. They think they're witches. The last word was underlined.

[Bob Mata]

Darkness, the light, evil.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Oh, that's what I wrote down in the line.

[Bob Mata]

Like they're talking about witches.

[Maria Tremarkey]

This whole darkness cannot drive out darkness.

[Bob Mata]

Right. That's wild.

[Maria Tremarkey]

All right, well, you have to get to the airport. So tomorrow I'm meeting with two of Julie's best friends, one who still is local.

[Bob Mata]

It's gonna be good stuff.

[Maria Tremarkey]

And then Leah. Yeah, I'm gonna really hammer them as to. Have they ever seen her lose her temper? Had she ever complained about.

[Bob Mata]

I want you to. Whether or not she's a fucking witch. I want to know if they're Wiccan. If they're.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah, because they alleging that this was some kind of ritual. Seems like it to me or something.

[Bob Mata]

Because. And you saw like I saw Renee's necklace definitely had like, some pagan symbol tree or some, like, wicked, like, you know, I mean, it was. Definitely had that vibe to it. It's a fascinating angle, and it could be a motive as to why this girl was railroaded.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Yeah.

[Bob Mata]

You know what I'm saying? I mean, that kind of shit is frowned upon down here.

[Maria Tremarkey]

On the next Murder on Song, we uncover the details of Beverly's treatment in custody.

[Holly Fry]

It's like at every opportunity to degrade her or belittle her or even torture.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Her, they did it. And the controversy surrounding the delivery of her son. The judge ordered Thomas would be taken as soon as the umbilical cord was cut. I wanted to scream at that moment before I face Julia Beverly in person, she doesn't look like her mugshot. It's almost as if they wanted to magnify the half black side of her murder. On Songbird Road is a production of I Heart Podcasts. Our executive producers are Taylor Chicoin and Lauren Bright Pacheco research, writing and hosting by Lauren Bright Pacheco investigative reporting by Bob Mata and Lauren Bright Pacheco Editing, sound design and original music by by Evan Tyre and Taylor Chacoin. Additional music by Asher Kurtz. Archival elements courtesy of WSIL News 3. Please like subscribe and leave us a review wherever you're listening. You can follow me on all platforms Aurenbright Pacheco and email the show with thoughts, suggestions, or tips@instimating murderheartmedia.com for more iHeart podcasts, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite shows. Thanks for listening.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back in the host chair at the Daily show, which means he's also back in our ears on the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Join late night legend Jon Stewart and the best news team for today's biggest headlines, exclusive extended interviews and more. Now this is the second term we can all get behind. Listen to the Daily Show Ears edition on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarkey. And I'm Holly Fry. Together we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime. Each season we explore a new theme. From poisoners to art thieves, we uncover the secrets of history's most interesting figures, from legal injustices to body snatching. And tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in cocktails and mocktails inspired by each story. Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. It was big news. I mean, white girl gets murdered, found in a cemetery. Big, big news. A long investigation stalls until someone changes their story.

[Holly Fry]

I, like, saw something that happened.

[Maria Tremarkey]

An arrest, trial and conviction soon follow. He did not kill her. There's no way is the real killer.

[Nancy Grace]

Rightly behind bars or still walking free.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Did you kill her? Listen to the real Killer, Season 3.

[Nancy Grace]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or.

[Maria Tremarkey]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nancy Grace]

Beautiful young women full of life and dreams, murdered or vanished without a trace. Their families left with nothing but heartbreak, questions and memories. I'm Nancy Grace. This week on Crime Stories, we uncover the truth behind these unsolved cases. We we work to bring justice and answers to grieving families. Please don't miss Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Listen on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.