Real Life Real Crime | #JusticeForBradley ep 13 (September 13, 2025)
Episode Overview
In this thirteenth installment of the “#JusticeForBradley” series, Woody Overton dives deep into a key controversy surrounding the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office: the alleged use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to the Bradley Striesnar and Austin O’Banion cases. Woody unpacks correspondence between his attorney, Thomas Davenport, and the Sheriff’s Office’s legal counsel, exploring whether such NDAs exist, if they’re being used to silence deputies, and what that means for transparency and justice in these connected homicide investigations. The episode revolves around public records requests, the roles and limitations of law enforcement transparency, and community-driven efforts to uncover the truth.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Current State of the Case & Tips Inflow
- Woody updates listeners on the ongoing inflow of tips around both the Bradley Striesnar and Austin O’Banion cases ([03:30]).
- He reiterates the significance of audience tips and the time-intensive, methodical process of sorting valuable leads from the noise.
“It’s like pieces of a puzzle, putting it together, seeing what pieces don’t fit...I get calls all day every day and emails and text messages and messengers and whatever. So just bear with me. It is being worked.” — Woody Overton ([04:45])
- Woody is convinced the homicide cases are directly connected:
“I believe totally in my heart that the cases are absolute, 1 billion percent connected. And I believe that they both were murdered.” ([06:10])
2. The Public Records Request: Demanding Transparency
- Woody’s attorney, Thomas Davenport, files a detailed public records request for any NDAs, confidentiality, or gag order documents ever used by the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, not just for these cases ([08:00]).
- The response doesn’t come from the Sheriff directly but from a New Orleans law firm, raising immediate questions.
3. Informational “Karate” – The Attorney Back-and-Forth
3.1. Initial Response from the Sheriff’s Counsel ([11:00])
- Attorney Craig Frosh responds for the Sheriff’s Office, denying the existence of any such NDAs or confidentiality agreements, ever, for any case.
- The letter also cites Louisiana statutes exempting law enforcement from releasing certain records on open investigations and specifies internal policy about information sharing with media.
Notable Quote
"We are informed by the Sheriff’s Office that there are no such agreements or contracts in existence. Thus, there are no such records to produce under the Louisiana Public Records Act." — Attorney Craig Frosh ([12:10])
3.2. Davenport’s Follow-up ([13:45])
- Davenport pushes back, insisting he only wants a blank template of any such NDA that may exist, and clarifies the request is for the existence of such a document.
- Frosh reiterates: “…there are no such agreements or contracts in existence so none can be produced. End of story.” ([22:02])
Memorable Exchange
Davenport: “I am not trying to be a pugilist on this issue... For purposes of clarity, I want to be sure there are no records whatsoever without any limitations, terms or conditions. If you are endeavoring to explain in terms of number two, there is an ancient jurisprudence that absolutely prohibits the use of NDAs and or confidentiality agreements to skirt around public records.” ([20:45])
3.3. “End of Story.” ([25:05])
- Frosh curtly insists, “…no sheriff’s office non-disclosure agreements or contracts in existence so none can be produced. End of story.”
3.4. Woody’s Analysis: What’s Really Going On?
- Woody muses on the likelihood that the law firm performed an exhaustive search through all historical records—he’s clearly skeptical.
- He underscores the significance to his investigative work: If NDAs were used, employees would have legal cover for silence—or risk their careers.
- Woody details why he pushed for the records request: multiple sources (some within the Sheriff’s Office) alleged the existence of NDAs or similar “gag orders” ([30:00]).
4. Summing Up the Stakes: Truth, Risk, and Protecting Sources
4.1. The NDA Dilemma & Employee Risk ([37:08])
- Woody empathizes with employees who may have been pressured to sign such documents to keep their jobs.
“If this is true and they had to sign non-disclosure agreements—they’re signing to save their jobs. And I get that. I don’t want anybody to lose their job for telling me something about a non-disclosure agreement. That’s not the whole point. I just want to know why.” ([38:32])
- He argues public employees can’t hide important investigative information from the public using NDAs, especially if “public” resources are involved.
4.2. Encouraging Whistleblowers
- Woody calls on anyone in possession of such a signed document to get a copy to him (safely and anonymously), promising to protect identities while verifying the information.
"If it was me, I would make sure Woody Overton got a copy, right? I would make sure Woody Overton got a copy and believe that he's going to keep you anonymous. And. But I'm going to tell the world." ([44:55])
- He contextualizes why some deputies might sign something under duress—at-will employment means they could be fired for any reason if they refuse.
4.3. The Larger Message: Transparency & Community Trust
- Woody frames the episode as vital—not just for unraveling the cases, but for understanding obstacles to truth and justice in small-town law enforcement.
“This is very, very, very, very important. Because if there’s a grain of truth to it, you have to ask yourself why. What is there to hide?” ([48:10])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the push for absolute clarity
“There are no records whatsoever without any limitations, terms, or conditions?... While academically appreciated, the interjection of issues and limitations of public record law seemed odd following a representation that there are no such records in existence.” — Thomas Davenport ([20:49])
On skeptical legal responses
"Do you think this lawyer from New Orleans went to Vernon Parish and looked through every case file and everything that's ever been written since the history of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office began? There's not enough lawyers in the world." — Woody Overton ([27:15])
On the NDA dilemma
“You put an NDA or a document in front of me… stating that if you talk to anyone about Austin or Bradley, you will be terminated immediately. Well, sign the paper. If you don’t sign it… you’re fired. You can’t feed your family... I get that.” ([41:55])
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------------------------------| | 03:30 | Update on case progress & public tips | | 06:10 | Statement on the cases’ connection | | 11:00 | Summary of public records request | | 12:10 | Lawyer’s initial “no NDAs” response | | 20:45 | Davenport’s pushback and clarity | | 22:02 | Final, brusque lawyer response | | 27:15 | Woody’s skepticism on thoroughness | | 30:00 | Reason for pursuing NDA inquiry | | 38:32 | Discussion of employee risk | | 44:55 | Call to action for anonymous tips | | 48:10 | Reflection on importance of episode |
Tone & Style
Woody Overton’s tone remains candid, persistent, and at times, wry and a bit combative, especially as he describes the “attorney karate” and the bureaucratic runaround. His advocacy for transparency and willingness to challenge official narratives give the episode an urgent, tenacious energy—underscored by a personal style filled with direct address, rhetorical questions, and plainspoken analogies.
Conclusion
This episode pivots from direct case details to a crucial procedural battle: whether local law enforcement is hiding relevant facts behind legal smokescreens. Woody invites listeners to consider power, secrecy, and community responsibility—urging anyone with documentary evidence to step forward, reinforcing his commitment to persistent, boots-on-the-ground investigative work in pursuit of justice for Bradley and Austin.
Listener Action Steps
- If you have relevant tips, continue calling 313-RLRC-TIP.
- If you have or know someone with evidence (even anonymized) of any NDA or similar document connected to these cases, share it in confidence with Woody’s team.
Final Note Woody ends with an assurance of ongoing diligence and gratitude for the audience’s passion and patience—a hallmark conclusion for the “Lifers” fan community.