Murder Sheet: "The Cheat Sheet: Candidates and Convicts"

Date: October 17, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (A), Kevin Greenlee (B)

Overview

This episode of The Murder Sheet offers a rapid-fire journey across several U.S. states, delving into recent true crime updates involving cold cases, contentious trials, executions, and some truly bizarre intersections of crime and politics. Áine and Kevin weave personal reflections with sharp legal commentary, blending their signature mix of dark humor and empathy. Notable themes include the complexities of justice, the consequences of vigilantism, and the surprising backgrounds of some perpetrators.

Key Cases and Insights

1. Cherry Mahan Cold Case (Pennsylvania)

• Summary:
  8-year-old Cherry Mahan disappeared after getting off her school bus in Winfield Township (Butler County, PA) in 1985. The case, previously covered by the podcast, is re-examined due to new developments.
• Recent Developments:
  Cadaver dogs recently searched for her remains, spurred by a $100,000 reward leading to new tips, one from a man claiming to know who was responsible.
• Notable Quote:

  "I'm obviously pretty skeptical about people coming forward years later because why wouldn't you come forward earlier?... But I really do hope that they can find this girl." — Áine Cain (07:38)

• [07:20–08:00]

2. Lawrence Kraus: The "Presidential Candidate" Parricide (New York)

• Summary:
  Lawrence Kraus, a fringe presidential candidate known for his anti-Semitic, conspiracy-laden platform, is charged with killing and burying his elderly parents.
• Bizarre Platform:
  Kraus proposed dividing the U.S. into four countries to break supposed control by the "deep state, British agents, Rhodes Scholars, and the Jews."
• Investigation Highlights:
  His parents disappear, but their benefits are still used. Bodies found in his yard. He confesses during a TV interview, including details of the killings.
• Notable Quotes:

  "This guy, this presidential candidate... his platform was to divide the United States into four separate countries as part of his effort to break the control of the deep state, British agents, Rhodes scholars, and of course, the Jews." — Kevin Greenlee (10:25)
  "Crank stuff is all fun and games, but some of these people do turn out to be violent and lunatics." — Áine Cain (16:49)

• [08:01–18:32]

3. Arkansas Vigilante Case: Aaron Spencer

• Summary:
  Aaron Spencer, whose daughter (13) was repeatedly assaulted by Michael Fossler, kills Fossler after learning he violated a no-contact order and again had his daughter with him. Spencer is now charged with murder, but is controversially running for sheriff on a campaign that the system failed his family.
• Ethical Debate:
  Áine and Kevin discuss morality vs. legality of Spencer’s actions, vigilantism, and the appropriateness of his political run while pending trial.
• Notable Quotes:

  "I don't blame this guy for killing this guy. I just don't... I don't believe in vigilante justice, but do I, like, think a parent... I think a lot of people would want to do that." — Áine Cain (26:38)
  "If a person's known for stepping outside the law to get vigilante justice, is that the then person we want to pin a badge on?" — Kevin Greenlee (29:55)

• [22:21–33:45]

4. Missouri Death Penalty Update: Lance Shockley

• Summary:
  Lance Shockley executed for the 2005 murder of Highway Patrol Sergeant Carl Duane Graham Jr. Discussion covers the circumstantial but strong evidence, the shooting of an officer to cover up an earlier crime, and the family’s pursuit of justice.
• Notable Quotes:

  "Circumstantial cases become like a bad word in true crime. I think that’s stupid. A lot of very good cases are circumstantial." — Áine Cain (34:18)

• [34:02–35:41]

5. Mississippi Death Penalty Update: Charles Ray Crawford

• Summary:
  Charles Ray Crawford executed for the 1993 abduction, rape, and murder of Christy Denise Ray. Legal debate arises from defense counsel’s strategy and Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's dissent.
• Key Legal Point:
  Defense attorneys disregarded their client’s wishes; SCOTUS dissent highlights attorney-client rights regardless of the crime.
• Notable Quotes:

  "Crawford's lawyers did not listen, not because they misunderstood Crawford, but because they chose not to." — Justice Sonia Sotomayor (quoted by Áine Cain) (41:38)
  "It’s not just about the rights of murderers... it’s about protecting everyone’s rights." — Áine Cain (44:51)

• [35:41–44:51]

6. Indiana Death Penalty Update: Roy Lee Ward

• Summary:
  Execution of Roy Lee Ward for the 2001 brutal rape and murder of 15-year-old Stacy Payne. The defense unsuccessfully argued recent autism diagnosis as mitigating.
• Discussion:
  The hosts express outrage and sadness for the victim, skepticism at linking heinous crimes to autism, and compassion for both legal process and the family’s suffering.
• Notable Quotes:

  "To equate some of this with autism, I think is just frankly insulting to people with autism..." — Áine Cain (50:27)

• [46:14–52:47]

7. Texas Motel Standoff: Possible Murder Averted

• Summary:
  Delivery driver in Sweetwater, Texas, flags suspicious order (hatchet, trash bags, zip ties, bleach) to a motel. Police intervene, de-escalate a barricade/hostage situation with no deaths. Both individuals arrested on drug and kidnapping charges.
• Notable Quotes:

  "I feel like it's possible that guy prevented a murder." — Áine Cain (54:51)

• [52:47–55:44]

Lighter Moments & Personal Reflection

Relationship Banter

• The hosts joke about Áine's penchant for wild schemes versus Kevin's lawyerly caution, even joking how this dynamic mirrors their marriage.
• Notable Quote:

  "I'm trying to do my little schemes, and then suddenly you're saying, no, no, no, don't do it, Anya." — Áine Cain (21:06)

On Hats and Identity

• An ongoing, humorous debate about Áine's various metaphorical hats—journalistic, bloodthirsty, copy editor—provides a running gag throughout the episode.
• Notable Quotes:

  "Once the hat's off, though, we don't know what's gonna happen." — Áine Cain (43:41)

Comic Book Convention Anecdote

[63:17–70:57]

• Kevin recounts being mistaken for Peter Jackson at a comic convention, due to his build and facial hair, and being photographed as an unintentional cosplayer.
• Áine teases:

  "If anyone's gonna have a weird interaction with somebody, it's gonna be Kevin." (70:57)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Áine on crime tips:

  "If you have any information, please call investigators at 724-284-8100." (07:38)

• Kevin on political cranks:

  "You have to be incredibly confident, maybe delusional, maybe... arrogant." (08:41)

• On executions:

  "So many executions this week. People can feel different ways about that. Some people probably thinking good and others probably thinking that's not good. And I'm not even weighing in. I'm just saying it's happening a lot." — Áine Cain (46:11)

• Regarding autistics and crime:

  "To equate some of this with autism, I think is just frankly insulting to people with autism." — Áine Cain (50:27)

• On the value of due process:

  "It’s not just about the rights of murderers... it’s about protecting everyone’s rights." — Áine Cain (44:51)

• Comic convention story punchline:

  "That's a great costume. Can I take your picture?...I want your costume because that is an incredible Peter Jackson cosplay." — Kevin Greenlee (68:39–69:33)

Closing & Community Updates

• Fifth Anniversary: The podcast is approaching its five-year anniversary, prompting musings on how to celebrate.
• Promotional Events:
  • Book signings in Carmel, Bloomington, and Lafayette, Indiana
  • Panel at the Bloomington Book Festival
  • Schedule and RSVP info at murdersheetpodcast.com/events
• Personal Touch:
  Hosts end with friendly banter and gratitude for their listeners, reinforcing the community spirit of the show.

Structure & Flow

Each case is presented briskly but thoroughly, with the hosts offering a blend of reporting, legal commentary, and empathetic reflection. They often toggle between gravity (the horrors of crime and debate over justice) and levity (personal stories, marriage jokes, anecdotes about hats and conventions), making the episode accessible and engaging, even as it covers some very dark subjects.

End of Summary