Murder Sheet: The Cheat Sheet – "Angels and Acquittals"
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (Journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (Attorney)

Introduction

In this episode of Murder Sheet, hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee delve into a series of compelling true crime cases from various locations, analyzing recent developments, legal implications, and the human stories behind each incident. The episode, titled "Angels and Acquittals," navigates through high-profile acquittals, long-standing cold cases, and tragic events involving law enforcement, providing listeners with in-depth coverage and thoughtful commentary.

Indiana Case: The Acquittal of Flint Farmer in the Karina McClurkin Murder

The episode opens with a discussion on the shocking acquittal of Flint Farmer for the 2016 murder of 18-year-old Karina McClurkin in Kokomo, Indiana. Despite substantial evidence, including a confession from Farmer’s daughter and eyewitness testimonies, the jury found him not guilty after only seven hours of deliberation spread over two days.

"The jury thought differently. They did not think that this was enough evidence."
— Áine Cain (07:33)

Kevin Greenlee reflects on the rarity of such verdicts, emphasizing the strength typically inherent in prosecutorial cases:

"It's surprising when they file something in such a high-profile case and then it goes this way."
— Kevin Greenlee (08:19)

The hosts express sympathy for McClurkin’s family and discuss the legal ramifications, including obstruction of justice charges against Farmer, highlighting the principle of double jeopardy which prevents him from being retried for the same crime.

Portugal Case: Updates on Madeline McCann

Shifting focus to an international case, the hosts revisit the unresolved disappearance of three-year-old Madeline McCann from Portugal in 2007. Recent developments suggest that a suspect, Christian Brückner, may be linked to her disappearance after police discovered incriminating evidence on his computer hard drive.

"This is very sad news. They also found on the hard drive him chatting with other pedophiles."
— Kevin Greenlee (12:22)

Áine Cain adds her personal connection to the case, recounting how it captivated her from a young age and acknowledging the ongoing pain for Madeline’s family.

The duo discusses the implications of Brückner's statements and the challenges law enforcement faces in closing such a high-profile case.

Washington State Case: The Unsolved Murder of Patrick Kress

Next, Áine Cain explores the cold case of 13-year-old Patrick Kress, who was brutally beaten to death in Kirkland, Washington, in 1983. Despite initial rumors and unverified claims from local teenagers, the case remains unsolved.

"There's a $5,000 reward and you can go to the Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound."
— Kevin Greenlee (18:58)

The hosts encourage listeners with any information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in resolving cold cases.

Colorado Case: The Controversial Death of Matthew Hire

In Colorado, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee dissect the contentious case of Matthew Hire's death at the hands of Donald Harris. Harris claims the incident was a tragic accident during a moment of personal crisis, asserting that Hire inadvertently caused his fatal shooting while Harris was preparing to commit suicide.

"This story made me think of reasonable doubt... maybe we can do a whole episode on reasonable doubt."
— Kevin Greenlee (22:41)

The hosts critically evaluate Harris’s narrative, questioning the plausibility of his account and highlighting inconsistencies that suggest potential culpability beyond accident.

Louisiana Case: The Tragic Death Linked to an American Idol Contestant's Friend

The episode also covers a heartbreaking incident in Louisiana involving Tyquell Xanders, whose car theft led to a deadly police chase resulting in the deaths of two teenage girls on New Year's Eve 2022. The incident profoundly affected American Idol contestant John Foster, inspiring his song "Tell That Angel I Love Her," dedicated to his late friend Maggie Dunn.

"Prosecutors noted that he was driving like close to 90 miles an hour, never hitting the brakes."
— Áine Cain (37:32)

The discussion underscores the delicate balance law enforcement must maintain between pursuing suspects and ensuring public safety, critiquing the aggressive tactics that may lead to unintended fatalities.

Ohio Case: The Vicious Killing of Deputy Henderson by Ryan Hinton

Áine Cain introduces the harrowing case from Cincinnati, Ohio, where 18-year-old Ryan Hinton fatally shot Special Deputy Larry Henderson after witnessing Henderson co-viewing body camera footage of Hinton’s son being killed by police.

"If there's a story like this is true, if you accidentally killed someone while you were about to kill yourself... that's a ploy for sympathy."
— Áine Cain (30:37)

The tragic event raises serious questions about the impact of police actions on individuals and communities, as well as the potential for retaliatory violence against law enforcement officers. The hosts express deep sorrow over the escalation of violence and the personal toll on all parties involved.

Corrections and Clarifications: Michigan Supreme Court Ruling on Sentencing

Towards the end of the episode, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee address listener feedback regarding a previous discussion on the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling, which prohibits the automatic sentencing of individuals below a certain age to life without parole. They clarify inaccuracies, noting that Michigan judges are elected and that the ruling requires prosecutors to review past cases to determine eligibility for parole.

"If you have a confession in a case, but you don't have any evidence to back it up, then it's just a story."
— Kevin Greenlee (09:25)

The conversation reflects on the complexities of implementing such legal changes, emphasizing the need for legislative action and adequate resources to manage the retroactive review of sentences.

Conclusion

In "Angels and Acquittals," Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee adeptly navigate a multitude of true crime narratives, offering insightful analysis and empathetic perspectives. The episode underscores the intricate interplay between justice, evidence, and human emotion, urging listeners to consider the broader implications of each case.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "The jury thought differently. They did not think that this was enough evidence."
  — Áine Cain (07:33)

• "It's surprising when they file something in such a high-profile case and then it goes this way."
  — Kevin Greenlee (08:19)

• "We respect jurors."
  — Kevin Greenlee (09:00)

• "This is very sad news. They also found on the hard drive him chatting with other pedophiles."
  — Kevin Greenlee (12:22)

• "We need to be putting more money into cold cases as a society. I think it's really important and I think that's something that shouldn't be controversial."
  — Kevin Greenlee (18:58)

• "This story made me think of reasonable doubt... maybe we can do a whole episode on reasonable doubt."
  — Kevin Greenlee (22:41)

• "If a story like this is true, if you accidentally killed someone while you were about to kill yourself... that's a ploy for sympathy."
  — Áine Cain (30:37)

• "If you have a confession in a case, but you don't have any evidence to back it up, then it's just a story."
  — Kevin Greenlee (09:25)

Support and Further Engagement

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This summary was crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of the "Angels and Acquittals" episode of Murder Sheet, capturing the essence of each discussed case and the hosts' analytical insights.