Real Life Real Crime | #JusticeForBradley and #JusticeForHailey
Podcast by Woody Overton
Episode Date: December 20, 2025
Episode Overview
In this emotionally charged episode, host Woody Overton continues his deep-dive into two cases that have galvanized the true crime community: #JusticeForBradley and #JusticeForHailey. Woody updates listeners on the ongoing investigations, expresses his frustrations with systemic challenges, and shares exclusive audio from a gut-wrenching conversation between Hailey’s mother, Barbara Johnson, and the Cobb County District Attorney’s office. This episode highlights not only the relentless fight for justice but also the profound pain experienced by families in the wake of unsolved and unresolved crimes.
Key Themes & Discussion Points
1. Update on #JusticeForBradley and #JusticeForAustin
- Woody shares his cautious approach as the Bradley and Austin investigations reach a crucial turning point.
- He emphasizes the importance of not jeopardizing the cases by disclosing sensitive information.
- Frustration is evident as Woody discusses people of interest who cannot clearly state if they were incarcerated during the relevant times—casting suspicion on their credibility.
Quote:
"You don't ever tell me in the history of the world a motherfucker that got locked up and got out of prison and he doesn't know what the exact dates were you were confined... Don't insult me and tell me you don't know, right?"
—Woody Overton [09:55]
- Woody urges listeners to keep submitting tips and maintaining public attention, focusing pressure on those potentially responsible rather than the law enforcement agencies alone.
- He predicts a significant development:
"I fully believe this will be the last Christmas Eve and Christmas that you get to spend with your family or your friends or be free. So enjoy it. Because the rest of your life... you'll never have another free Christmas."
[13:39]
2. #JusticeForHailey: The Fight for Accountability
Background & Context
- Woody has dedicated significant time and effort to Hailey’s case, including traveling to Atlanta, reviewing evidence, and advocating for renewed official investigation.
- Despite initial promises for further investigation from the District Attorney’s office, Woody and Hailey’s family feel let down by the ruling that Brooks Cleary cannot be retried for murder due to double jeopardy—despite the only previous charge involving moving Hailey’s body, not killing her.
Quote:
"They tried him for moving the body, not for murdering Hailey. So... here's the conclusion of the audio parts, and I'll talk about it next week...”
—Woody Overton [15:33]
Audio Segment: DA’s Office vs. Hailey’s Mother (Barbara Johnson)
(Begins at [16:41])
Key Points from the Conversation:
-
Frustration Over Investigation
- Barbara accuses the DA’s office of failing to interview all witnesses and dismisses their claims of exhaustive efforts.
- She highlights specific missed opportunities, such as not questioning neighbors whose apartments may have had audio/visual relevance to the case.
-
Evidence Mishandling
- Barbara describes confusion over critical physical evidence, such as a bloody hoodie, and recounts how she only received it along with other evidence after the case closed.
- Disputes emerge over the relevance and chain of custody of key items, with Barbara adamant they were not adequately examined.
Quote:
"You haven't. You don't even know what's going on about the goddamn shirt."
—Barbara Johnson [32:47]
-
The DA and investigators assert that new evidence must "move the needle" significantly to justify reopening the case, and that the jury and grand jury did not believe murder charges could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
-
Prosecutors’ Constraints
- Stephanie (the prosecutor) repeatedly cites ethical and legal boundaries, stating their hands are tied without direct, new, or conclusive evidence.
Quote:
"We have legal and ethical obligations and duties, and we are not going to do that. We tried this case, put up the case, put on every piece of evidence there was."
—Investigator Jared [46:02]
- Barbara’s Unyielding Grief and Determination
- Barbara’s heartbreak is palpable as she describes promising her deceased daughter that she would never stop fighting for justice.
- The conversation touches on how the lack of closure impacts families and the importance of advocacy beyond the case, such as working on education and awareness for young women about relationships and red flags.
Memorable Quote:
"All I could think of when they came to my door was that my daughter was laying there cold, and she hated to be cold. And she was laying there... dead and cold and alone. And I couldn't even go see her... I promised her, I swore to her that I would get justice for her. And I will, no matter what, or I won't stop."
—Barbara Johnson [61:25]
- Systemic Pain and Limits
- Prosecutor Stephanie repeatedly acknowledges the immense pain of Barbara’s loss and the inherent limitations of the legal system.
- Both sides agree to support efforts to educate young people and prevent similar tragedies, even as their definitions of “justice” remain at odds.
Quote:
"Justice could look like preventing this from ever happening to anyone else...”
—Prosecutor Stephanie [69:30]
Notable Quotes & Emotional High Points
-
On Memory and Credibility of Suspects:
"Motherfucker. You knew. Motherfuckers. You all knew... Your words are going to come back to bite you. And you had diarrhea in the mouth. You trusted the wrong person."
—Woody Overton [08:50] -
On the Broken System:
"I'm not begging you to do anything illegal, but investigating is not illegal. I'm just begging you to do what it takes to get something else, so you can take him to court."
—Barbara Johnson [73:16] -
On Unending Grief:
"She'll never get to have the kids she wanted to have, and she'll never get to do the things she wanted to do... She needs justice. She deserves justice. And I'm begging y' all to please... not begging you to do anything illegal, but investigating is not illegal."
—Barbara Johnson [73:33] -
On Fighting for Change:
"We're already working on a program to talk to kids, girls in school... We're trying to figure out the best way to get help with that.”
—Barbara Johnson & Prosecutor Stephanie, [66:47]–[67:58]
Important Timestamps
- [03:36] Woody Overton: “You have the right to remain silent…” (Start of main content)
- [04:45] Woody: Listener discretion warning; introduction to the episode’s cases
- [07:00] – [14:00] Woody on the significance of timelines, problems with suspect statements, and importance of keeping public pressure up
- [16:41] Start of Hailey’s case audio: DA office vs. Barbara Johnson
- [32:47] Barbara’s urgent confrontation over mishandled evidence
- [61:25] Barbara’s emotional recounting of her promise to Hailey and commitment to justice
- [66:47] – [68:42] Transition from seeking legal justice to prevention advocacy for young women
- [73:33 – 74:21] Barbara’s final, desperate plead for renewed investigation
- [74:35] Prosecutor Stephanie: “I think for now, this is a good place for us to kind of end the conversation…”
Episode Summary
This episode encapsulates the agony of families battling flawed investigations and perceived bureaucratic apathy. Woody Overton calls out the inconsistencies in official accounts related to #JusticeForBradley and #JusticeForHailey and provides a candid window into the emotional exhaustion suffered by survivors and advocates. The critical conversation between Barbara Johnson and Cobb County officials spotlights the painful gulf between institutional procedures and the human need for answers and closure.
Woody signs off by urging listeners to continue the push for truth and justice, reminding everyone that while the system may stall, community vigilance and activism can keep the pressure alive.
For listeners who haven’t followed these cases, this episode is a powerful illustration of the obstacles families face in seeking justice and the importance of bearing witness, keeping stories alive, and supporting reforms to prevent future tragedy.