Podcast Summary: Murder Sheet – "The Cheat Sheet: Faces and Photos"

Release Date: January 31, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (Journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (Attorney)
Podcast: Murder Sheet

Introduction

In this episode of The Murder Sheet, hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee delve into three compelling true crime cases, exploring issues ranging from flawed witness identification to the implications of advanced forensic technologies. Additionally, they provide updates on their ongoing book project, offering listeners an inside look into their investigative processes.

Case 1: The Ohio Identification Controversy

Overview:
The episode opens with a discussion about a high-profile case from Ohio involving David Smith, who was convicted for the brutal attack on Courtney Tolliver. The case has garnered attention due to concerns over the victim's identification process and its subsequent legal ramifications.

Key Points:

• Victim's Identification Process:
  Courtney Tolliver suffered severe injuries, leading to her being placed in a medically induced coma. Upon recovery, she was presented with photographs of potential suspects [00:00–06:13]. Notably, when David Smith's photo was shown by a police officer, Tolliver failed to identify him initially but later did so after repeated exposure.

• Legal Implications:
  Kevin highlights the potential unreliability of such identifications, comparing it to conditioning someone to see a specific object based on prior suggestion:

  "If you have a police officer you trust showing you a picture and saying, this is who did it, that might precondition you, and it might make your identification ultimately unreliable, arguably." [05:50]

  Áine concurs, emphasizing the importance of unbiased photo lineups:

  "You could argue that the way we figure out how to train people is to look at things that go wrong and say, don't do this." [06:42]

• Supreme Court Involvement:
  The state court initially upheld Smith's conviction despite concerns, but a federal court overturned it, citing prejudice from the flawed identification. The Ohio Supreme Court declined to review the case, leading to debates about the deference federal courts should give to state judgments.

  "The Supreme Court is one of those places where they basically get to decide their own workload." [08:34]

• Impact on the Case:
  With the Supreme Court declining to hear the case, the conviction remains overturned, mandating a retrial that excludes the contentious identification. Both hosts express sympathy for Tolliver, acknowledging the ordeal she endured.

Case 2: The Vallejo Witness Murder

Overview:
The second case revolves around Curtis Lind, an 82-year-old man from Vallejo, California, who became a pivotal witness in a murder trial. Tragically, Lind was murdered shortly before his scheduled testimony, raising alarms about witness safety.

Key Points:

• Background of Curtis Lind:
  Curtis Lind had previously survived a violent altercation involving tenants at his property, where he was nearly dismembered. In self-defense, he fatally shot one of his attackers and injured another, leading to felony murder charges against them.

• Murder of the Witness:
  On January 17th, Lind was stabbed in the neck by an unidentified assailant wearing a mask and a black beanie while visiting his property to sell it. This incident occurred as Lind was set to testify in the ongoing trial against his former tenants.

• Discussion on Witness Protection:
  Áine raises concerns about the lack of protection for crucial witnesses:

  "Are there should there be more resources put into protecting them potentially from stuff like this happening?" [14:03]

  Kevin agrees, highlighting the complexity and resource constraints of providing adequate protection:

  "They certainly need more protection of these sorts of witnesses." [14:41]

• Broader Implications:
  The hosts discuss the broader issue of witness safety and the challenges prosecutors face in safeguarding individuals who are central to high-stakes cases. They emphasize the need for systemic improvements to prevent such tragedies.

Case 3: Cold Case Solved in Hawaii via DNA Evidence

Overview:
The final case examines a decades-old murder from Honolulu, Hawaii, which has recently been solved thanks to advancements in DNA technology.

Key Points:

• Details of the 1977 Murder:
  In March 1977, Dawn Mahara, a 16-year-old girl, was found dead on Oahu. Despite initial investigations, the case remained unsolved due to insufficient evidence.

• Breakthrough Through DNA Technology:
  Advances in DNA analysis allowed investigators in 2020 to retest evidence from the crime scene. A genetic profile of an unidentified male was developed from DNA found on Mahara's shorts.

• Identification and Arrest:
  The DNA profile eventually matched Gideon Castro, a former student of William McKinley High School in Honolulu. After comparing DNA from Castro's children, authorities established a biological link to the evidence from the crime scene. Castro was subsequently arrested and charged with Mahara's murder.

• Technology and Law Enforcement:
  Áine comments on the dual nature of technology in solving crimes:

  "I'm just glad that DNA is ushered in sort of an era where a lot of this stuff is getting kind of closed." [22:00]

  Kevin adds that while DNA has been revolutionary, it also necessitates careful consideration of legal protocols:

  "DNA has been a boon. Other new technologies may also potentially be a boon. But first, we have to figure out what are the rules, how do we use these new technologies, and how reliable are they?" [22:44]

Discussion: Shadow of the Bridge – Upcoming Book Project

Overview:
Beyond the case discussions, Áine and Kevin provide an update on their collaborative book project, Shadow of the Bridge, which focuses on the Delphi murders.

Key Points:

• Project Background:
  The hosts have been working on this comprehensive book since 2017, aiming to provide an in-depth exploration of the Delphi case. The project underscores the complexities and dark underpinnings of high-profile true crime investigations.

• Challenges and Insights:
  Áine reflects on the darker aspects of true crime fascination:

  "It's about the Delphi case. But I think it also underscores something about true crime which our listeners might be interested in and how there can be a real dark side to an extreme amount of interest in a case." [35:37]

  They discuss how public interest, while beneficial in keeping cases in the spotlight, can also lead to negative consequences, including callous behavior and inhumanity.

• Call to Action:
  The hosts encourage listeners to pre-order the book, highlighting its comprehensive nature and the importance of understanding true crime from multiple perspectives.

Conclusion

In this episode, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee offer a deep dive into intricate true crime cases, examining the interplay between human error, technological advancement, and legal proceedings. Their discussions highlight the continual evolution of the criminal justice system and the enduring impact of unresolved crimes on victims and communities. Additionally, their commitment to shedding light on these cases through their upcoming book reflects their dedication to thorough investigative journalism.

Notable Quotes:

• Kevin Greenlee on Identification Reliability:

  "If you have a police officer you trust showing you a picture and saying, this is who did it, that might precondition you, and it might make your identification ultimately unreliable, arguably." [05:50]

• Áine Cain on the Dark Side of True Crime Interest:

  "I think there's a lot of inhumanity and callous behavior. And I think shining a light on things tends to, you know, destroy the mildew." [35:37]

• Kevin Greenlee on DNA and Technology in Law Enforcement:

  "DNA has been a boon. Other new technologies may also potentially be a boon. But first, we have to figure out what are the rules, how do we use these new technologies, and how reliable are they?" [22:44]

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of topics like murder and rape.