Murder Sheet – The Cheat Sheet: Sentences and Sledgehammers

Episode Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: Áine Cain (journalist) & Kevin Greenlee (attorney)
Major Themes: True crime updates and in-depth analysis of high-profile and under-discussed cases, societal and legal implications, holiday banter.

Episode Overview

This episode of The Murder Sheet explores a selection of disturbing and layered criminal cases spanning Indiana, Minnesota, and Colorado. The hosts dissect the horrific abuse and death of a young child, a shocking workplace murder, a complicated plea deal with legal fallout, and issues of prosecutorial overreach in a notorious Indiana homicide case. Throughout, Áine and Kevin provide not only case details and legal context, but also dig into societal debates about gendered violence and criminal justice, with their trademark mix of incisive commentary and irreverent humor.

Main Cases Discussed

1. The Murder of Kinsley Welty (Indiana)

Segment Start: [06:24]

Key Points:

• Case Summary: The hosts detail the tragic neglect and murder of 5-year-old Kinsley Welty in Indianapolis. Kinsley, weighing only 21 lbs at death, suffered from extensive abuse and neglect at the hands of her mother, Tony McClure (charged with murder, confinement, battery), and the alleged failure of Indiana’s Department of Child Services.
• Civil Lawsuit: Kinsley’s family filed suit against the Indiana DCS, alleging mishandling and failure to intervene despite previous signs of abuse.
• Evidence: Probable cause affidavits reveal harrowing neglect—emaciation, being confined in a closet that was virtually a prison, and living among filth and evidence of physical assault.
  • "They move that [dresser] away and immediately smell feces, urine… almost a little prison where Kinsley was held… small handprints on the inside of the door." – Áine ([11:47])
• Mother’s Confession: McClure admitted to lying and to neglect, but continued to blame Kinsley for “behavioral issues,” showing chilling lack of responsibility.
  • "Tony stated Kinsley needed help, but she did not help… she had [messed] up really bad." – Áine reading affidavit ([15:30])
• Systemic Issues: The hosts question both the specific and systemic failings that allowed abuse to continue.
  • "The people who are truly… likely to be a bigger danger to the child are the people in their life, the people tasked with taking care of them." – Áine ([16:56])

2. The Murder of Amber Jack (Minnesota)

Segment Start: [19:13]

Key Points:

• Case Summary: 20-year-old tradeswoman Amber Jack was brutally murdered at her workplace by a coworker, David Bruce DeLong, who bludgeoned her to death with a sledgehammer. The killing was captured on workplace surveillance.
• Motive & Mental Fitness: DeLong admitted he disliked Amber, had planned the murder, and intended to kill. His family had ended contact years earlier due to “safety concerns.” Defense requested a mental competency examination.
  • "He confessed to killing the victim… said he had been planning to kill the victim for some time." – Áine quoting affidavit ([23:00])
• Host Reactions & Gendered Violence:
  • Áine passionately discusses online discourse, criticizing trivial debates (like “manspreading”) versus the very real epidemic of male violence against women.
    • "I would just love it if the discourse in popular culture could be almost exclusively focused on male violence against women, because I think that's... costing innocent women their lives." – Áine ([32:10])
  • Kevin offers a measured counterpoint, noting the frequency of everyday inconveniences versus rare but horrific violence, but agrees on problem severity.
    • "Obviously true male violence against women is a horrible problem, causes much more damage and lasting impact than men sitting with their legs spread in the subway." – Kevin ([35:48])
• Societal Implications: The case triggers a broad discussion about workplace safety and accountability in male-dominated fields.

3. Robert Hunt and Plea Deal Fallout (Colorado)

Segment Start: [38:25]

Key Points:

• Case Summary: Robert Hunt pled guilty to murder after being accused as an accomplice; his associate, Aaron Weston (who pulled the trigger), received a much lighter sentence. Hunt was sentenced to 40 years, Weston 10.
• Legal Twist: Hunt’s plea was vacated for ineffective counsel—he did not realize the full legal implications of Colorado’s complicity laws or his rights to appeal a plea withdrawal.
  • "I'm concerned that he was the victim of some very bad lawyering." – Kevin ([43:18])
• Victim Impact: The victim’s daughter, Constantzia Pinto, expressed remarkable grace, saying:
  • "I hope he gives his life to Christ... maybe he didn't have the opportunities I have, and that's why he turned out the way he did." ([45:22])
• Host Analysis: The hosts agree the system failed Hunt in sentencing disparity but emphasize the irreversible loss for Eddie Wilson, the innocent man killed.

4. Sarah Jo Pender and the “Female Charles Manson” Label (Indiana)

Segment Start: [47:17]

Key Points:

• Case Summary: Pender was sentenced to 110 years after her boyfriend used a gun she purchased to murder two people; she aided after the fact but never pulled the trigger.
• Prosecutorial Overreach: The prosecutor compared her to Charles Manson, a “puppet master” orchestrating the crime. Evidence for her as mastermind was threadbare and some purported confessions were later proven dubious or forged.
  • "Even the prosecutor... has said... I made a mistake in this case. I think she should be released." – Kevin ([51:09])
• Sentence Modification: The prosecutor now supports her sentence reduction. The original case was tainted by sensationalism and possible legal errors.
  • "It's about what you can prove... not just about vibes." – Áine ([53:25])
• Critique of Legal Rhetoric: Hosts criticize prosecutors who employ exaggerated language (“female Charles Manson,” “demonic”), seeing it as media grandstanding rather than substantive legal argument.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Child Abuse Systemic Failures

"A child doesn't just get to that position. This is, this is concerning." – Áine ([10:45])

On Gendered Violence and Media Discourse

"When women start taking sledgehammers into the office and bashing their male colleagues heads in en masse, maybe then we can have that conversation." – Anya ([32:50])

On Sentencing Disparities in Felony Murder

"It seems deeply unfair. I don't like that at all." – Anya, about the 40- vs. 10-year sentences in the Colorado case ([42:51])

On Prosecutorial Showmanship

"That’s the prosecutor equivalent of a defense attorney doing really over the top… Oh, this guy’s just a little gentle baby… I think that kind of overstatement is stupid." – Anya ([57:35])

On Christmas Banter and Laughs

"I'm going to haunt you like Jacob Marley… talking about all the times you embarrassed me on this program." – Anya ([63:09])

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 06:24 | Kinsley Welty case – Indiana child abuse | | 19:13 | Amber Jack murder – Minnesota workplace violence | | 25:21 | Explainer: Competency in criminal law (Kevin) | | 38:25 | Robert Hunt case – Colorado plea deal/ineffective counsel | | 47:17 | Sarah Jo Pender – Indiana: Prosecutorial overreach revisited |

Additional Notes

• Fan Contributions: Several cases were suggested by listeners, emphasizing the community-driven approach of the podcast.
• Hosts’ Dynamics: Through playful (“Christmas bonnet”) and darkly comic banter, Áine and Kevin soften the episode’s grim subject matter, ending with humorous holiday chatter and a story about a bad college race photo.
• Societal Critique: The podcast deftly shifts between legal minutiae and societal issues, making space for passionate advocacy as well as legal technical explanations.

For Listeners New and Returning

This episode provides a careful mix of deeply researched crime reporting, legal commentary, societal reflection, and the conversational warmth (and bickering) fans have come to expect from The Murder Sheet. The hosts foreground victims’ stories, analyze legal processes, and cut through media sensationalism with clarity and empathy.

Holiday Message:

“We love you guys and we really appreciate you sticking around with us. It means a lot that you spend your time with us. So I guess, thank you.” – Anya ([59:58])

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night… and a happy New Year to everybody.” – Kevin ([60:18])

[End of Summary]