Proof: A True Crime Podcast – Season 2, Episode 18

Episode Title: "Shortest Route Possible"
Date: September 2, 2024
Hosts: Susan Simpson & Jacinda Davis

Episode Overview

This episode brings a major development in the ongoing reinvestigation of the 2000 murder of Renee Ramos in Manteca, CA. Susan Simpson provides a detailed update on the new progress in Jake Silva's case—Renee’s boyfriend, long imprisoned for her death—most notably that long-awaited DNA testing on critical evidence is about to proceed. The hosts and Jake’s new legal team break down what this means, the potential outcomes of the forensic analysis, and what comes next for the quest for justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DNA Testing Finally Moves Forward

• Jake’s new attorneys (Audrey McGinn of the Innocence Center and Lauren Barbosa Finley of the Northern California Innocence Project) had their first court hearing regarding a renewed motion for DNA testing.
• The DA’s office will not oppose new DNA testing, allowing Jake’s team to proceed (04:05).
• This is a significant shift compared to the 2016 attempt, when evidence was declared missing and could not be tested.

Notable Quote:

“We just got off the phone with the Superior Court, and the DA said they are not going to oppose additional testing.”
—Audrey McGinn, Jake Silva Attorney (03:57)

Discussion Details:

• Jake’s team can now draft the testing order, ensure protections, and specify sample handling (04:11).
• Both hosts and attorneys express relief and surprise at the DA's lack of communication but are happy with the concession.

2. What Will Be Tested & Why it Matters

• Items specified: Renee’s necklaces (believed to be the possible murder weapon), clothes (jeans, underwear, bra, shirt), and two hairs found at the courthouse (15:09).
• The original court order did not mention necklaces or account for sample consumption risks; the new order will.

Notable Quote:

“We’re going to test the necklaces. ... We hope to get a good male profile. That’s not Jake, is the hope.”
—Audrey McGinn (05:38)

Details on DNA Techniques:

• Short Tandem Repeat (STR) and Y-STR (male-specific) testing will be used, maximizing the chances of detecting touch DNA from a perpetrator even amid Renee's own DNA (05:38–06:21).
• A finding of Jake’s DNA would not be conclusive of guilt, given his close physical contact with Renee, but a foreign male profile could be game-changing.

Notable Quote:

“What we won’t be able to explain is the presence of an unknown male.”
—Audrey McGinn (08:02)

3. Possible DNA Outcomes and Their Legal Ramifications

• Best-case scenario: two profiles—a female (Renee) and an unknown male. A match in CODIS (the national DNA database) could quickly identify a perpetrator, with past suspects like Jared Conway in focus (09:11).
• Other outcomes: mixtures involving Jake’s minor profile could help untangle contributors; more complex, ambiguous mixes may complicate interpretation and court use (09:11–10:40).
• Jake and his legal team are aware that the absence of DNA is the “worst case,” as it makes both exoneration and further investigation difficult (06:51).

Notable Quote:

“For Jake, DNA testing carries a risk... What worries Jake is the possibility that no DNA will be found from anyone. For him, that’s the worst case scenario.”
—Susan Simpson (06:51)

4. Timeline & Next Steps

• The new testing order will be submitted by the end of the week (11:08–12:07).
• Expected turnaround for lab results: up to six months, possibly before year’s end (12:39–13:06).
• If DNA is found: DA may concede, or the case could move to further litigation or genetic genealogy if no CODIS match is found (12:14–12:39).

Notable Quote:

“We’re ready for the long journey and hoping for the shortest route possible.”
—Lauren Barbosa Finley (12:17)

5. The Emotional Stakes for All Involved

• Jake’s family, Ty’s (co-defendant) family, and Renee’s mother, Donna Ramos, are all cautiously hopeful but have learned to temper expectations (21:46–24:11).
• Mandy (Ty’s daughter) expresses joy and guarded optimism, recalling years of dashed hope (21:46–23:41).

Notable Quotes:

“I know you can’t see me right now, but I’m smiling so big right now. ... Jake’s going to come home. That’s amazing.”
—Mandy, Ty’s daughter (21:46)

“Back in 2016 ... Renee’s clothing and necklaces and hairs ... couldn’t be found. ... This time, though, we know exactly where those crucial pieces of evidence are located.”
—Susan Simpson (23:53)

• Renee's mother, Donna, is surprised by the outpouring of support for both “Justice for Jake” and “Justice for Renee” (26:58–27:14).

6. Community & Listener Response

• The hosts and Donna discuss the overwhelming response from listeners, many of whom plead for truth and justice, regardless of which way it points (26:51–28:01).
• The investigation will continue on all fronts, even as all eyes are on the unfolding DNA process (28:45–29:46).

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “We’re rocking and rolling over here. Yes, it was really exciting.”
  —Audrey McGinn (04:11)

• “What worries Jake is the possibility that no DNA will be found from anyone. For him, that’s the worst case scenario.”
  —Susan Simpson (06:51)

• “The hope is for one male profile, compare it to Jake, it’s not him, and then we can run it through CODIS.”
  —Audrey McGinn (08:51)

• “We’re ready for the long journey and hoping for the shortest route possible.”
  —Lauren Barbosa Finley (12:17)

• “Hope is good, but hope can also be dangerous.”
  —Jacinda Davis (23:30)

• “If Jake is actually innocent, I want that to come out.”
  —Donna Ramos, Renee’s mother (27:54)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 03:53–06:21: Jake’s legal team explains the DA’s concession and details of new evidence testing.
• 06:51–09:11: Discussion on what various DNA results could mean for Jake and the investigation.
• 11:08–13:06: Timeline for testing and next procedural steps.
• 15:02–16:34: Precise items for testing are clarified; attorneys’ strategies are discussed.
• 21:20–24:11: Emotional responses from Jake and Ty’s families as DNA motion moves forward.
• 25:13–28:45: Reaction from Renee’s mother and discussion of community response and hopes for justice.

Tone and Language

The episode balances meticulous legal explanation with a tone of cautious optimism and emotional honesty. While Susan and Jacinda display investigative curiosity and skepticism, Jake’s attorneys are methodical yet enthusiastic. The families oscillate between hope and guarded pessimism, with the immense weight of years of dashed expectations ever-present.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode documents a breakthrough moment in Jake Silva’s fight to overturn his conviction for Renee Ramos’s murder: for the first time, DNA evidence from the alleged murder weapon and other key items will be tested. The legal, forensic, and emotional intricacies of the process are explained in real time as the Proof team, Jake’s attorneys, and the victims’ families prepare for the results that may finally bring answers—or introduce new uncertainties. There is cautious hopefulness, a clear sense of high stakes, and the understanding that while DNA may yield the truth, justice for both Renee and Jake remains a multifaceted quest.

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