Episode 451: "We Must Please The Flight Attendants"

Host: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Network: Exactly Right Media
Release Date: [Insert Release Date]
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Karen and Georgia engaging in their trademark witty banter, discussing topics ranging from jet lag struggles to favorite movies and books. Their casual conversation sets a relaxed tone, making listeners feel right at home.

Story 1: The Trial of Pamela Smart

Timestamp: [15:20] – [43:57]

Karen delves into the notorious 1990 case of Pamela Smart, which captivated the nation and became a landmark in true crime history. Smart, a young woman from Derry, New Hampshire, was convicted as an accomplice in the murder of her husband, Greg Smart.

Key Points:

• Discovery of the Crime: On May 1, 1990, Pamela discovered her husband Greg lifeless in their apartment, surrounded by signs of a burglary gone wrong. However, inconsistencies in her reaction and the nature of the scene raised suspicions early on.

  "If I walked in and found Vince what I thought was passed out, like maybe he hit his head and there was blood, I would run to his side and see if his heart was still beating like, yeah, that's a little like don't touch anything, don't mess up the crime scene kind of a thing."
  — [21:04] Georgia Hardstark

• Media Frenzy: Pamela became a media darling, conducting numerous interviews without showing much emotion, earning her the nickname "Ice Princess." Her poised demeanor contrasted sharply with the crime's grim nature.

  "We want to be in love, but we don't. We keep missing each other way."
  — [04:10] Karen Kilgariff (Referring to a TV series)

• The Involvement of Teenagers: Investigations revealed that Pamela had enlisted the help of three teenage boys to orchestrate the murder, promising them financial incentives. This revelation was pivotal in building the case against her.

  "Billy confirms to the police that he and Pamela were in a relationship. He says that Pamela said she would pay the boys $1,000 each to kill Greg."
  — [27:04] Georgia Hardstark

• Legal Proceedings and Media Influence: The trial was the first-ever "gavel-to-gavel" murder trial broadcast live on TV, amplifying media influence on public perception and the judicial process. The defendants were not sequestered, allowing external pressures to affect their testimonies.

  "The courtroom was full of photographers and, you know, people in there. Of course, it's huge."
  — [35:26] Karen Kilgariff

• Verdict and Aftermath: On March 22, 1991, Pamela Smart was found guilty and sentenced to life without parole. The trial raised critical discussions about media sensationalism, the reliability of testimonies, and potential biases in the judicial system.

  "Pamela, of course, has asked multiple times to have her sentence reevaluated...she remains in prison at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility."
  — [39:40] Karen Kilgariff

Notable Quotes:

• "We must please the flight attendants."
  — [02:11] Georgia Hardstark

• "I'm sorry your feelings got hurt, but not by what I did. Just in general."
  — [46:24] Georgia Hardstark

Story 2: Lawn Chair Larry Walters' Flight

Timestamp: [52:16] – [90:25]

Karen transitions to recounting the extraordinary tale of Larry Walters, also known as "Lawn Chair Larry," who in 1982, turned his whimsical dream of flight into a reality using a homemade aircraft crafted from an aluminum lawn chair and helium-filled weather balloons.

Key Points:

• Inception of the Idea: Inspired by a childhood visit to Disneyland and a fascination with balloons, Larry embarked on his ambitious project after a decade-long relationship where he felt unfulfilled.

  "I realized that that was the way to go. I had to get some of those big suckers."
  — [55:56] Georgia Hardstark

• Preparation and Execution: Larry and his partner Carol meticulously planned the flight, acquiring 45 weather balloons, helium tape, and a robust aluminum lawn chair. They financed the endeavor with approximately $4,000—a significant investment at the time.

  "We spent around $4,000 on the Inspiration One."
  — [63:53] Karen Kilgariff

• The Flight: On July 2, 1982, Larry launched himself from Carol's mother's backyard in San Pedro, California. The plan was to ascend to a cruising altitude of 6,000 to 7,000 feet, drift over the San Gabriel Mountains, and land safely in the Mojave Desert by cutting balloons with a BB gun.

  "Around midnight a couple sheriff's deputies put their heads over the back wall and yelled what's going on here?"
  — [66:44] Georgia Hardstark

• Unexpected Challenges: A sudden gust of wind caused Larry's ascent to accelerate uncontrollably, taking him to 16,000 feet. Struggling with altitude effects and losing his BB gun—a critical tool for his planned descent—Larry faced a terrifying descent.

  "I wasn't gonna hassle with her because no way in Heck, you know, after all this, my life, the money we'd sunk into this town, I'd just come down. No way in heck. I was."
  — [72:04] Karen Kilgariff

• Rescue and Legacy: Miraculously, Larry's tangled cables interacted with power lines, preventing a fatal crash. Rescued by an onlooker's backyard pilot, Larry was fined but gained overnight fame, inspiring movies and maintaining a place in popular culture.

  "My mother thought maybe I was possessed by the devil or perhaps had post Vietnam stress syndrome."
  — [65:04] Georgia Hardstark

• Tragic End: Despite the initial success and fame, Larry struggled financially and emotionally, eventually taking his own life in 1993. His story remains a poignant reminder of the fine line between ambition and safety.

  "Larry Walter's 1982 flight on his homemade aircraft, the Inspiration One, has left a permanent impression on popular culture."
  — [86:57] Georgia Hardstark

Notable Quotes:

• "A man can't just sit around."
  — [87:46] Karen Kilgariff

• "It's ironic because the guy that owned the house... he was an airline pilot on his day off."
  — [80:55] Georgia Hardstark

Conclusion

Karen and Georgia wrap up the episode by reflecting on Larry Walters' adventurous spirit and how his pursuit of an unconventional dream parallels their own journey in creating the My Favorite Murder podcast. They acknowledge the risks and rewards of chasing one's passions, drawing inspiration from Larry's unforgettable flight.

"We strapped ourselves to this rickety fucking lawn chair. We just sat in it. We didn't have backup glasses?"
— [89:43] Georgia Hardstark

"We just have Simplisafe. You can look at your phone and everything's covered."
— [15:00] Georgia Hardstark

The episode beautifully intertwines tales of true crime with stories of human ambition and the complexities that come with them, leaving listeners both entertained and contemplative.

Additional Resources

• Documentaries:

  • Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Smart (Available on Peacock)

• Books and Articles:

  • "To Die For" by Joyce Maynard (Novel inspired by Pamela Smart's case)
  • Washington Post article by Manuel Roig Franzia on Pamela Smart

• Upcoming Projects:

  • A forthcoming documentary on Larry Walters' flight

Note: All timestamps refer to the podcast episode's timeline and are included to aid listeners in locating specific quotes and segments.