Murder Sheet: The Cheat Sheet – Coaches and Colleges

Release Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (A) and Kevin Greenlee (B)

Episode Overview

In this “Cheat Sheet” edition, true crime podcasters and married duo Áine Cain (journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (attorney) walk listeners through a series of recent and notable cases involving colleges, coaches, legal quandaries, and an intriguing cold case solved with unexpected help from college students. The episode’s focal points are tragic murders in Illinois, Ohio, California, and Texas, each explored with the hosts’ signature blend of compassion, legal analysis, and dry humor. The show also critiques legal semantics (notably the difference between “knowingly” and “recklessly”), considers mental health and gun rights, and examines innovative crowdsourcing approaches to solving cold cases.

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of murder, violence, and the rape and murder of a child.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. [Illinois Case: The Murder of Kylie Toberman (06:22–11:09)]

• Summary:
  Áine details the murder of Kylie Toberman, a 14-year-old wrestler from Vandalia, Illinois, whose death exposed complex family dynamics and a tragic failure to protect a child from a man with a criminal sexual past.

• Key Facts:

  • Kylie was living with her adoptive mother, Donna Toberman, while her biological mother, Megan Zeller, was estranged (10:10).
  • Donna Toberman’s son, Arnold B. Rivera (Kylie’s “step-uncle”), had a series of sexual offense convictions but still had access to the home.
  • Donna left Rivera in charge while she underwent surgery; during this time, Kylie disappeared (09:04).
  • Kylie's body was found in a tote in Rivera's RV outside the home.
  • Rivera was charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault; the case is pending trial.

• Insight:
  The hosts reflect on the systemic and personal failures that resulted in Kylie’s vulnerability. They emphasize the dangers of allowing convicted sex offenders around children, regardless of familial ties.

• Notable Quote:

  • Áine: "I don't think you can be too cautious… when it comes to who children are around, especially with people with a record like that." (10:48)

2. [Ohio Legal Quandary: "Knowingly" vs. "Recklessly" (13:10–26:48)]

• Summary:
  Kevin presents a legal dilemma from Ohio, centered on Leander Bissell, who drove through an emergency scene, killing firefighter Johnny Tetric. The legal debate hinged on whether Bissell acted "knowingly" or "recklessly."

• Key Facts:

  • Bissell disregarded blocked-off accident scene, drove through, and killed a firefighter (15:54).
  • Original murder conviction reduced to involuntary manslaughter due to differing interpretations of intent.
  • Bissell showed signs of intoxication (bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, smelled of alcohol), with a prior history of domestic violence and impaired driving (23:51, 25:32).

• Legal Insight:
  The debate underscores how word definitions ("knowingly" vs. "recklessly") can radically alter sentencing and legal outcomes. The legal process must balance individual accountability against the precedent set for future cases.

• Host Debate (fun analogies):

  • Kevin: “How would you define the word knowingly?”
  • Áine: “Once you start thinking about stuff, you’re like, what do words even mean?” (14:01)

• Notable Quotes:

  • Áine (on reckless vs. knowing): "You're knowingly taking people's lives into your own hands with a bad decision." (17:32)
  • Kevin: "The argument would be…if you do it knowingly, you're intentionally using your car as a weapon...as opposed to 'I'm just going to drive through because I'm late for work.' The end results are the same in both." (17:46)
  • Áine: "If he's just a normal guy, then, come on, like, I don't know, what's the courts doing?" (22:45)

3. [California: The Murder of Coach John Beam (27:55–35:57)]

• Summary:
  Áine recounts the murder of Laney College’s beloved Coach John Beam by former student Cedric Irving Jr.

• Key Facts:

  • Coach Beam, central to Netflix’s "Last Chance U," was a fixture at Laney College, Oakland.
  • Cedric Irving Jr., 27, struggled with employment and possibly mental illness. He believed Beam was “using witchcraft” against him (31:00).
  • On Nov 13, 2025, Irving entered the college, shot Beam, then fled via bus. Beam died the next day.
  • Irving had no known criminal record; gun registered to him. His arrest followed incriminating statements and possession of a handgun.

• Context & Analysis:
  The hosts discuss gaps between mental health crises, gun possession, and warning signs that failed to prevent such violence. They ponder the policy implications of mandatory minimums and mental health intervention.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Áine: "It seems like if he thought there was witchcraft on him, this could be a mental illness issue… but that doesn’t really absolve any responsibility." (33:53)
  • Kevin: "There’s a real mental health crisis in the country." (33:55)
  • Áine: "[Mandatory minimums] wouldn't have helped here. That's what's scary… what can be done?" (35:57)

4. [Texas Cold Case: Solved by College Students (37:09–47:29)]

• Summary:
  Kevin shares the innovative approach taken in Arlington, Texas, where criminology students helped solve the 1991 murder of Cynthia Gonzalez.

• Key Facts:

  • Cynthia, an adult entertainer, went missing in 1991; only in Nov 2025 was Janie Perkins arrested, suspected of jealousy as a motive (40:17).
  • Arlington Police, overwhelmed by cold cases, gave access to files to university criminology students.
  • The students identified overlooked leads; police pursued, leading to an arrest. The model is praised as possibly groundbreaking (42:19).
  • Privacy concerns noted: sensitive info in “murder books,” potential NDA requirements, and the need for professional handling.

• Potential Implications:

  • Hosts highlight balance between innovation and ethics in crime-solving. They suggest this method could be valuable nationwide if known pitfalls are addressed.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Kevin: "I would like to see this model be used in other communities...I am curious about things like privacy..." (43:50)
  • Áine: "That’s reasonable. It can’t be like, ‘Hey, I think it’s this lady!’...you want to make sure people’s rights aren’t being violated." (44:09)
  • Kevin: "Maybe the key is let’s use college students in the specialized area." (45:35)

Additional Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Hosts’ Banter on State Mottos (11:55–13:10, 37:46–40:11):

  • Kevin embarks on a playful, sarcastic feud with U.S. state nicknames, e.g., “The Buckeye State,” and suggests the podcast needs a motto of its own.
  • Áine: "You're really susceptible to branding, aren't you?"
  • Kevin: "I'm just saying we need...the states would say, 'Oh, the Murder Sheet podcast, their motto is so good. We should do the same sort of thing.'" (39:21)
  • The hosts joke about listener-submitted mottos, expecting “insulting suggestions.”

• Reflection on Milestones and Audience (50:16–51:23):

  • Kevin: "I do want to mention it's been a wonderful five years with you."
  • Áine: "I want to say I’m really grateful for all of you, so thank you."

• Anecdote: Kevin’s “Home Invasion” Story (52:10–56:04):

  • Kevin recounts a time as a college student when what was likely a would-be burglar entered his apartment but left upon realizing he was home.
  • Áine: “Your sleuthing came a little late for your neighbors.”
  • Kevin: "I successfully fended off the home invaders."

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:22 | Illinois: The Kylie Toberman case | | 13:10 | Ohio: Knowingly vs. Recklessly – Law and the Leander Bissell Case | | 27:55 | California: Murder of Coach John Beam | | 37:09 | Texas: Cold Case Solved by Criminology Students | | 50:16 | Podcast’s 5th Anniversary Reflection | | 52:10 | Kevin’s “Home Invasion” College Anecdote |

Tone & Host Dynamic

The hosts maintain a sensitive, thoughtful tone when discussing victim stories and legal dilemmas, but inject gentle wit and banter throughout (particularly regarding state nicknames, Thanksgiving food, and podcast branding). Kevin’s legal expertise and Áine’s journalistic skepticism play off each other, providing both emotional resonance and factual analysis.

Summary

This episode offers a broad, in-depth look at a variety of crimes tied to schools, the legal system, and innovative investigation models. The hosts’ nuanced and often humorous perspectives add layers of insight into topics such as criminal recidivism, the limits of legal language, the intersection of mental health and gun rights, and the potential for crowdsourced justice. For listeners interested in true crime, legal analysis, and the ongoing efforts to bring closure to cold cases, this is an engaging and multifaceted listen.

Notable Quotes At a Glance:

• "I don't think you can be too cautious… when it comes to who children are around..." — Áine (10:48)
• "The argument would be…if you do it knowingly, you're intentionally using your car as a weapon..." — Kevin (17:46)
• "There's a real mental health crisis in the country." — Kevin (33:55)
• "I would like to see this model be used in other communities..." — Kevin (43:50)
• "It can’t be like, 'Hey, I think it’s this lady!'...you want to make sure people’s rights aren't being violated." — Áine (44:09)

End of summary.