The Murder Sheet – "The Cheat Sheet: Elvis and Expecting"

Date: December 5, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (A) and Kevin Greenlee (B)

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Murder Sheet, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee offer a "Cheat Sheet" tour through several true crime stories and legal oddities, spanning Alaska, Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri. The subject matter swings from the horror of a pregnant woman’s murder to the absurdity of a judge obsessed with Elvis Presley. The hosts' signature mix of journalistic rigor, legal analysis, personal candor, and gentle humor sets the tone throughout, with segments ranging from heartbreaking to outright silly. Notable discussion points include legal standards for new trials, the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, the tragic case of a pregnant woman murdered by her biological mother, a bizarre recurrence in a missing persons case, and the farcical misconduct of a “King”-loving judge. The episode ends on a lighter note, with reflection on podcast mottos and the hosts’ offbeat personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Alaska: Seeking a New Trial After 30 Years

[07:00–17:00]

• Case Details:
  • 1990s Anchorage: 17-year-old Brian Hall shot and killed Mickey Dinsmore and Stanley Honeycutt after a confrontation in a parking area.
  • Claimed he shot them in self-defense, believing (based on a woman's statement) that Dinsmore and Honeycutt had a gun.
  • The woman initially testified she made no such warning; now says she did.
• Legal Analysis:
  • The judges decided this new testimony wouldn't have likely resulted in an acquittal due to the nature of the incident (e.g., being handed a beer bottle).
  • Alaska allows for resentencing of juveniles serving extreme sentences.
• Ethical & Practical Concerns:
  • Discussion of the limitations of defense investigation and the importance of reliable courtroom testimony.
  • The sentence of 159 years for a 17-year-old deemed “excessive” and “uncomfortable,” even as hosts agree some accountability is necessary.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Áine: "Any situation where you have a loss of life, it's unacceptable. But...I could see someone who made a bad choice in that situation being rehabilitated in certain instances." [12:08]
  • Kevin: "It’s hard for me to justify thinking, oh, that must be a gun. I’m in deadly danger." [13:42]

Michigan: The Murder of Rebecca Park and Fetal Abduction

[23:49–32:00]

• Case Details:
  • Rebecca Park, 22 and 38 weeks pregnant, disappeared after visiting her biological mother Courtney Bartholomew.
  • Her remains were found nearby; the body of her baby has not yet been recovered.
  • Courtney and her husband Bradley Bartholomew were arrested and charged with murder, torture, assault against a pregnant individual, and more.
  • Prosecutors allege Rebecca was lured home, forced into a car, stabbed, and her baby cut from her womb.
• Emotional Response:
  • The hosts express deep personal revulsion and sadness, regarding this as a crime of almost incomprehensible horror.
• Quotes:
  • Áine: "Stories about babies and pregnant women getting murdered really bother me...on a visceral level." [23:49]
  • Kevin: "This is the type of case that bothers me the most. It’s just horrifying to me." [31:46]
• Public Call for Information:
  • Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities, as the investigation continues.

Illinois: The Strange, Troubled Case of Anita Marcek

[33:04–40:01]

• Case History:
  • 2012: Anita Marcek and her two toddlers disappeared, sparking a large-scale search. She reappeared days later in Wisconsin, unharmed but admitted to a mental facility for evaluation.
  • 2024: Police responded to a shooting at Anita’s home; she claimed an unknown intruder shot her and her husband, but evidence showed she was the shooter.
  • She pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm and received a 22-year sentence.
• Analysis:
  • Áine observes the tragedy of untreated mental illness escalating into violence, noting the system’s failure to intervene before harm.
  • Discussion of the plea deal, and how even after warnings (the original disappearance), severe violence can occur.

Missouri: An Elvis-Obsessed Judge's Downfall

[40:09–55:48]

• The Judge Matthew Thornhill Saga:
  • Missouri circuit judge wore an Elvis wig and sunglasses in court, played Elvis walk-on music, and peppered proceedings with Elvis references—regardless of relevance.
  • His conduct, including discussing political affiliations and allegedly lowering charges in exchange for a (fake) Terry Bradshaw autograph, led to suspension and forced early retirement.
• Broader Issues:
  • Kevin and Áine discuss the dangers of undermining courtroom seriousness and judicial impartiality.
  • While headlines focus on the Elvis antics, the deeper problem is the erosion of trust in the legal process.
• Memorable Moments & Quotes:
  • Kevin: “If you go to court, even on a routine matter, and you look up and the judge is dressed as Elvis...you might be forgiven for wondering if he’s taken your case as seriously as he should.” [44:20]
  • Áine: "You're making a mockery of the court. You're eroding people's trust that they're going to get a fair shot in court. That is terrible." [52:10]
• Humor & Lightness:
  • The hosts riff on walk-on music for judges and share personal connections to Elvis (Kevin as a child).

Additional Highlights

Listener Engagement & Podcast Mottos

[56:04–57:52]

• Listeners submitted creative motto ideas for The Murder Sheet, ranging from "Murder, Mayhem, mirth and minutiae" to "No nonsense true crime."
• The hosts express delight and gratitude, inviting further submissions.

Personal Anecdotes & Banter

[66:25–72:02]

• Áine shares a cringe-worthy accidental double entendre ("We're finally making progress in the bedroom!") delivered loudly in a crowded parking lot, to Kevin’s mortification.
• Brief teaser of Kevin’s unremarkable “spree killer” encounter.
• The episode displays their typical warmth, self-deprecating humor, and real-life partnership, especially as Áine offers Kevin a loving public birthday tribute.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|------------------| | Alaska case analysis (Brian Hall appeal) | 07:00–17:00 | | Michigan: Rebecca Park murder | 23:49–32:00 | | Illinois: Anita Marcek’s saga | 33:04–40:01 | | Missouri: Elvis judge scandal | 40:09–55:48 | | Podcast mottos and listener engagement | 56:04–57:52 | | Personal anecdotes & birthday reflections | 66:25–72:02 |

Notable Quotes With Attributions

• Áine Cain [12:08]: “Any situation where you have a loss of life, it's unacceptable. But...I could see someone who made a bad choice in that situation being rehabilitated in certain instances.”
• Kevin Greenlee [13:42]: "It’s hard for me to justify thinking, oh, that must be a gun. I’m in deadly danger.”
• Áine Cain [23:49]: "Stories about babies and pregnant women getting murdered really bother me...on a visceral level."
• Kevin Greenlee [44:20]: “If you go to court, even on a routine matter, and you look up and the judge is dressed as Elvis...you might be forgiven for wondering if he’s taken your case as seriously as he should.”
• Áine Cain [52:10]: "You're making a mockery of the court. You're eroding people's trust that they're going to get a fair shot in court. That is terrible."

Overall Tone & Takeaway

The episode deftly balances the gravity of true crime reporting with the quirks and humanity of its hosts. Listeners are guided through sobering legal and moral dilemmas, horrifying crimes, and surreal courtroom antics, but are also invited to laugh, reflect, and engage. Áine and Kevin maintain a conversational, sometimes irreverent but always empathetic tone, making the podcast accessible even to those encountering these cases for the first time.

For full show notes, resources, and to support the podcast, visit: murdersheetpodcast.com/events