Podcast Summary: The Murder of Scott Macklem: The Guilt of Temujin Kensu: The Evidence

Podcast: Murder Sheet
Hosts: Áine Cain (A) & Kevin Greenlee (B)
Release Date: December 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode presents a thorough, evidence-based recap of the 1986 murder of Scott Macklem, for which Temujin Kensu (formerly Frederick Freeman) was convicted. Hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, drawing from thousands of pages of court transcripts, police files, and interviews, sift fact from speculation, walk through the timeline, lay out witness testimony, and break down why they firmly support Kensu's conviction for Macklem’s murder. The episode is timed for what would have been Scott Macklem’s 60th birthday, highlighting the victim’s story and countering ongoing claims of Kensu's innocence.

Key Sections and Discussion Points

1. Why This Recap and Their Approach

• The hosts respond to listener requests for a single, definitive summary episode outlining the “essential” evidence.
• They note their deep research: “Outside of law enforcement or the attorneys who worked on this case, we probably know this case better than anyone else.” (B – 02:04)
• They clarify their podcast’s stance: they fully believe in Kensu’s guilt but respect differing viewpoints.

2. Background: Temujin Kensu’s Life Before the Murder (06:02–15:51)

• Early life details mostly self-reported by Kensu; hosts caution his credibility is “highly, highly suspect.” (B – 06:47)
• Multiple aliases (Frederick Thomas Freeman, John Lamar, Mickey Ford, Daniel Arts).
• Criminal and violent history:
  • Assault/abuse of women: G (his wife), S, JS, LC, D, Michelle—physical and psychological violence, threats, and even rape.
  • Arrests for felonious assault, fraud (bad checks), theft.
  • Pattern: Manipulating young women, controlling behavior, violence against rivals.
• “Basically, if you’re a man, woman, baby, animal, and you’re near Temujin Kensu, watch out...” (A – 88:36)

3. The Relationship: Crystal and Scott, and Kensu’s Stalking/Escalation (18:03–36:00)

• Crystal—Scott’s fiancée and mother of his child—briefly dated Kensu in spring 1986; suffered rape, coercion, and sustained threats.
• Kensu stalked both Crystal and Scott after the breakup, including car break-ins, following at work, and intimidation of friends.
• Scott proactively sleuthed his own stalker, documenting Kensu’s vehicles and reporting the situation to family.
• Witnesses describe Crystal’s fear, changes in demeanor, and Kensu’s possessiveness.
• Multiple incidents suggest Kensu went to escalating lengths after learning of Crystal’s pregnancy and engagement to Scott.

4. Timeline: The Murder (November 5, 1986) and Witness Accounts (36:00–51:23)

• Scott arrives at St. Clair County Community College around 9am. He is shot at close range in the parking lot.
• Key Witnesses:
  • Richard Krueger saw a man with military bearing, in a green army jacket and blue cap, “like he’s going to war” (A – 38:18 & B – 38:27). Identified in photos and in court as Kensu.
  • Janice Kues saw a man matching the same description.
  • Kathleen Ballard observed a suspicious vehicle speeding away, driver concealing face. Said Kensu's appearance was not inconsistent with what she saw.
  • Rene Gobind (most important, per the hosts) noted license plate (882 DHH), described the driver and vehicle in detail, and repeatedly, emphatically identified Kensu in several lineups and in court (A – 47:18): “It wasn’t someone that resembled him, it was him.”
• Scene specifics: Scott’s belongings on the ground suggest he was locking his car when shot.

5. Kensu’s Alibi Claims and Why They Collapse (51:23–73:10)

• Kensu claimed to be in Escanaba, 6+ hours away, with his girlfriend Michelle and multiple others, throughout the critical window (9am–3:30pm).
• Police meticulously checked every component of this alibi:
  • Michelle: Admitted, even to police, she lied for Kensu and had been abused by him. No credibility.
  • Landlord Melvin Carlson: Refuted Kensu’s account; stated he did not see Kensu that day.
  • Mechanic: No local garage recalled servicing Kensu’s car.
  • Music shop owners: Denied seeing Kensu on Nov 5; he tried to get them to change their statements.
  • Karate studio witnesses: Couldn’t remember dates; later “recovered” their memories—after collaborating and after direct input from Kensu; cross-examination exposed the unreliability and “taint” (B – 65:51).
  • Many “alibi” witnesses only reported seeing Kensu after the relevant timeframe, or not at all.
• Kensu attempted to influence and threaten witnesses for an alibi, another sign of guilty conduct.

6. Key Trial Evidence Against Kensu (74:25–86:51)

• Eyewitness Identifications: Multiple, consistent, and timely—most damning from Krueger and Gobind.
• Motive Established via Crystal’s Testimony: Kensu repeatedly threatened to kill Scott; Crystal described his obsession, possession, and rage.
  • Notable quote (from a call after arrest): “You caused me a problem, so I took care of it.” (A – 78:13)
• Statements to Philip Joplin (cellmate): Kensu boasted, “When I shot this guy, he screamed” (B – 82:18), matching actual witness reports.
• Pattern of Threats, Stalking, and Violence: Well-documented domestic violence history admissible as context for motive even under Michigan law.
• Possession of relevant clothing and gun accessories at arrest.
• No credible alibi; moves to manipulate witnesses.

7. Arguments Against Innocence/Rebuttals of Misinformation (111:07–153:47)

• Claims that Crystal lied or killed Scott herself are dismissed as both offensive and contrary to evidence and consistent patterns of abuse across Kensu's life.
• Eyewitnesses are considered credible and not part of any conspiracy, and their identifications are consistent with the evidence.
• Disputes over hypnosis (used by Gobind) addressed—only pre-hypnosis testimony entered at trial.
• The "drug dealer" slander against Scott is denounced; no evidence, no support among friends or records.
• All plausible factual or legal bases for reasonable doubt are examined and found insubstantial.

8. Non-Trial Evidence & Broader Context (86:55–137:22)

• The hosts explore Kensu’s post-conviction pattern of threats, abusive and manipulative behavior even from prison, cult activity (“Cathal People”), and ongoing attempts to control narratives through supporters or legal threats.
• “Anyone who says that Temujin Kenzu is incapable of a murder like this is completely fooling themselves or they just have not studied the available information with an open mind.” (A – 104:45)
• Repeated theme: The crime fits an established, well-documented MO—misogynistic control, escalating violence, and inability to accept losing “ownership” of a woman.
• Attempts to dispose of evidence (weapon, car) plausible given his history of switching cars, plates, and manipulating accomplices.
• Most people who once supported Kensu’s innocence, when presented with a full picture, now recede; a few “useful idiots” persist (B – 103:38).

9. Direct Exchange with Kensu (“The Dragon of the Cathal”) (153:51–177:20)

• The hosts reached out for Kensu’s side. He responded with ranting personal attacks, threats of litigation, and cultish grandiosity.
  • Notable quote from Kensu: “You are without question two of the most vile and despicable people to ever disgrace the true crime and criminal justice community…” (Kensu, read by A – 157:26)
• His response only reinforced the hosts’ previous analysis of his character—manipulative, bullying, and paranoid.
• The hosts reassert their journalistic integrity, willingness to correct errors, and full adherence to free speech protections.

10. Concluding Reflections: What Would Change Their Minds? (137:24–148:42)

• The hosts detail precisely what factual or legal evidence would shake their confidence in Kensu’s guilt. None has ever emerged.
• They maintain a core message: This episode stands as the essential, shareable, evidence-centered distillation of why Kensu is, in their view, rightfully convicted of Scott Macklem’s murder.

Highlighted Quotes & Timestamps

• “We probably know this case better than anyone else.” (B – 02:04)
• “We are very strongly in the guilt camp…but…everyone has their own viewpoint, and that should be respected.” (A – 04:20)
• “Scott Macklem was basically sleuthing his own murder before it happened.” (B – 25:36)
• “If you had the power to stop a crime before it happened, wouldn’t you do it?” (A – 15:07; illustrating the stalking/escalation theme)
• “It wasn’t someone that resembled him, it was him.” (Rene Gobind via A – 47:18)
• “I haven’t threatened you since October. Last time I threatened you was in October.” (Kensu to Crystal, 80:38)
• “He said that when he shot this guy, he screamed.” (Phillip Joplin quoting Kensu – 82:18)
• “If in any other case there was a suspect who said, ‘here’s what I did all day’, and virtually all of those people said ‘no, that’s a lie’, would that make an impact…” (A – 83:24)
• “If you do something he doesn’t like…he’s going to be violent or threatening.” (A – 88:36)
• “Anyone who says he’s too disorganized or impulsive to pull this off…I want to point something out. He’s always angry.” (A – 104:45, 108:45)
• “No credible alibi; moves to manipulate witnesses. Is that something an innocent person does?” (B – 100:12)
• “We reached out to this guy before we said anything about this case ever.” (A – 161:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 06:02 – Kensu’s background, criminal & violent history
• 18:03–36:00 – Crystal’s abuse, stalking, escalation, and witness corroboration
• 36:00–51:23 – Murder timeline and eyewitness details
• 51:23–73:10 – The alibi that falls apart
• 74:25–86:51 – Main trial evidence recap
• 86:55–137:22 – Non-trial evidence and broader context
• 137:24–148:42 – What would change the hosts’ minds?
• 153:51–177:20 – Exchanges with Kensu; analysis of his cult claims and threats

Memorable Exchanges

• Kensu’s email to hosts: “…my millions of supporters have come to see and know you and your sad shows for what they are, shamelessly directed and clearly targeted hit pieces…” (157:26)
• Hosts’ response: “We take that very seriously. If you feel your evidence is compelling, we will promptly issue a correction. If you fail to do this, we reserve the right to say in our program that when we ask you to identify any errors in our coverage you are unable to do so.” (166:09)

Summary & Tone

Cain and Greenlee maintain a direct, matter-of-fact tone, laced with exasperation at ongoing misinformation (“With all due respect, that’s dumb” – B, 117:03), empathy for victims, and sharp criticism for those who continue to enable or apologize for Kensu. They balance methodical breakdowns of evidence with commentary on broader social and legal issues—handling of domestic violence, the dangers of charisma-driven innocence movements, and the importance of distinguishing between actual innocence and manufactured doubt.

This episode was designed as a “go-to” resource for anyone who wants the comprehensive, unvarnished “just the evidence” story about the murder of Scott Macklem and the case against Temujin Kensu.