Murder Sheet – "The Cheat Sheet: Fakes and Flash Bangs"

Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts: Journalist Áine Cain (“A”) and attorney Kevin Greenlee (“B”)

Overview

In this Cheat Sheet episode, Áine and Kevin dive into a diverse lineup of cases and current issues, ranging from two listener-requested recent Indiana crimes to a Seattle mistrial caused by rogue jurors’ internet research, to the problematic use of AI in a high-profile Australian murder trial. Both hosts offer sharp legal analysis, reflections on crime reporting, and their signature banter. The episode closes with personal anecdotes about newsroom crises and presidential campaign hijinks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case 1: Jeffersonville, Indiana – SWAT Standoff & Horrific Discovery

Segment: [07:56]–[13:46]

• Incident Summary:

  • In Jeffersonville (Clark County, IN), a welfare check escalated into a four-hour SWAT standoff on August 15 with 33-year-old Bryce Winicke.
  • Winicke refused to exit his home; police used flash bangs (stun grenades) to try to resolve the situation.
  • Áine relates a past personal experience living near a similar standoff, highlighting the unpredictability and danger such situations bring to a community.
  • After Winicke surrendered, police found a body and a severed head inside the residence—the victim was not yet identified at the time of recording.

• Quotes:

  • “It's a reminder that these kinds of, you know, random standoffs and kind of gruesome crimes can certainly happen anywhere.” – Áine [13:33]

• Memorable Moment:

  • The hosts humorously ponder whether their dog Lanny would be loyal to police or a barricaded suspect, pointing to the strange and often absurd dynamics of chaotic crime scenes.

2. Case 2: Dearborn County, Indiana – Manhunt After Fatal Shooting

Segment: [13:48]–[24:48]

• Incident Summary:

  • In Dearborn County, IN, 39-year-old Dennis Adams Jr. (from Kentucky) was ambushed and fatally shot on August 14.
  • The suspect, Brent David Wellman (33)—the ex-boyfriend of Adams' current girlfriend—allegedly shot Adams in what appears to be a jealousy-driven crime.
  • Intense manhunt ensued; Wellman was apprehended in his underwear in Lawry Creek.
  • Áine reads extensively from the probable cause affidavit, giving listeners a detailed look at police procedure and forensics (including explanations about gunshot stippling).

• Notable Analysis:

  • Áine and Kevin discuss the broader theme of offenders targeting ex-partners' new romantic interests and compare the case to that of Temujin Kensu and Scott Macklem.

• Quotes:

  • “...it would be a situation where it'd be motivated by jealousy, killing the new love rival... which we can see happen.” – Áine [15:58]
  • “Men do most crimes, not all, but most crimes.” – Áine [25:03]

3. Law & Process: The Role and Rules of a Jury

Segment: [26:58]–[33:27]

• Case Summary (Seattle, WA):

  • In Seattle, jurors in the murder trial of Vaughn Weems disregarded a judge’s orders by researching PTSD online and discussing their findings in deliberations.
  • Judge Mark Laranga declared a mistrial, citing the impossibility of a fair trial after such contamination.
  • The incident is costly and emotionally taxing, forcing a retrial for all concerned.

• Legal Insights:

  • Both hosts dissect the rules of evidence and why independent jury investigation is strictly forbidden.
  • They stress that even “just Googling” is considered external research and highlight the sometimes alarming lack of public understanding of this.

• Quotes:

  • “You might be sitting there thinking, wait, Anya, wouldn’t it be good if jurors were so interested in the case that they were just, like, sleuthing it out themselves? … And to that I say, no.” – Áine [28:49]
  • “They literally did not realize that Googling information was considered outside research.” – Kevin [35:16]

4. AI Creeps Into the Courtroom: Faked Cases & 'Victim' Testimony

Segment: [36:20]–[43:14]

• Australian Murder Trial:

  • Defense counsel relied on AI-generated research and unknowingly submitted fabricated legal citations to the court in a high-stakes case.
  • The judge, James Elliot, discovered the fakes and was notably critical:
    • “It is not acceptable for artificial intelligence to be used unless the product of that use is independently and thoroughly verified, which clearly did not happen in this case.” – Judge Elliot (read by Kevin) [38:49]

• US Parallels:

  • Similar AI misuse has been documented in US courts.
  • In a recent US case, a murder victim’s family used an AI-generated voice simulation for the victim’s statement at sentencing, raising ethical alarms.

• Hosts’ Concerns & Personal Stance:

  • Áine is strongly opposed to AI-generated content in emotionally sensitive or legal contexts, stating it’s “creatively and intellectually dishonest.”
  • Both hosts commit that “we’re never going to be an AI podcast... That’s just out.” – Áine [45:14]

• Memorable Moment:

  • Humorous reflection on Kevin’s failed experiment to use AI for his own podcast voice during a potential health issue, which Áine vetoed outright.

5. Meta Moments: Podcast Banter, Promotions, and Their Commitment to Authenticity

Segments:

• Their natural chemistry is evident throughout, with playful teasing about storytelling talents ([03:40]–[04:42]), reflections on dog loyalty and time management, and sardonic takes on product advertisements.
• They discuss the importance of in-person engagement with listeners, as well as book events and the philosophy behind their reporting:
  • “I feel like this book contains the truth about the Delphi case. And it's very important for me on an emotional level to spread that truth.” – Áine [51:49]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 13:33 | Áine | “It's a reminder that these kinds of, you know, random standoffs and kind of gruesome crimes can certainly happen anywhere.” | | 25:03 | Áine | “Men do most crimes, not all, but most crimes.” | | 28:49 | Áine | “You might be sitting there thinking…wouldn’t it be good if jurors were so interested... And to that I say, no.” | | 38:49 | Kevin (quoting Judge Elliot) | “It is not acceptable for artificial intelligence to be used unless the product of that use is independently and thoroughly verified, which clearly did not happen in this case.” | | 45:14 | Áine | “We’re never going to be an AI podcast... That’s just out.” | | 51:49 | Áine | “I feel like this book contains the truth about the Delphi case. And it's very important for me on an emotional level to spread that truth.” |

Extended Anecdote Section – Hosts’ Stories

Segment: [53:10]–[62:33]

• Áine’s College Newspaper Scare:

  • As editor-in-chief, Áine reported an online death threat related to a controversial article. In her fatigue, she napped through the subsequent police search for her, prompting campus-wide worry and a patronizing safety tutorial from campus police (“What do we do if like a shooter comes?”—“Call the police.”). [53:10–58:10]

• Kevin’s ‘Heist’ at Clinton Rally:

  • Kevin and a friend blagged their way to the very front of a 1992 Bill Clinton campaign event by pretending to be Secret Service volunteers, exploiting lax verification and ending up visible in archival news and documentaries. [58:26–60:32]

• A Chance Encounter in Detroit:

  • Kevin recounts being offered old French fries by a homeless man, which elicits affectionate reassurance from Áine about his appearance and character. [60:58–62:18]

Important Timestamps

• 07:56 – Jeffersonville, IN standoff and discovery
• 13:46 – Dearborn County manhunt and affidavit reading
• 26:58 – Seattle, WA mistrial & jury rules
• 36:20 – AI in legal filings and victim impact statement
• 53:10 – Áine’s ‘crime reporter in crisis’ college story
• 58:26 – Kevin’s Bill Clinton rally misadventure

Tone and Style Notes

• Conversational and witty: Áine and Kevin’s banter lends levity, even during coverage of grim and disturbing topics.
• Meticulous and educational: The hosts break down legal jargon and court procedure for non-expert audiences.
• Authentic and passionate: Repeatedly stress their commitment to accuracy and integrity, especially regarding technology in reporting and courtroom use.

Summary

This episode of The Murder Sheet’s Cheat Sheet manages to balance horrifying recent crime news, serious reflections on legal ethics, and the pitfalls of modern technology in courts, all while retaining an approachable, often humorous vibe. Áine and Kevin’s teamwork, frankness about their own limitations (and the broader human ones—be it bad jurors or AI blunders), and willingness to share personal stories make for an informative and entertaining listen.

For listeners seeking detailed case facts, practical legal education, and a healthy dose of behind-the-scenes candor, this episode delivers on every front.