Real Life Real Crime: True Crime Time For August 18, 2025

Overview

In this episode of True Crime Time For (August 18, 2025), Woody Overton and his wife/co-host Cyndi Overton cover three headline-grabbing cases:

1. Bryan Kohberger’s life behind bars after pleading guilty to the Moscow, Idaho student murders.
2. Corruption and criminal charges against Louisiana public officials, notably the New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell and Port Allen’s former mayor.
3. The international case of Amy Betro, a Wisconsin woman convicted in the UK for an attempted contract killing stemming from a family feud.

Woody brings his usual mix of professional insight, straight talk, dark humor, and deep knowledge of the justice system, while Cyndi offers perspective and quick commentary, making for an engaging, sometimes irreverent, deep dive into each story.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ongoing Cold Case Investigations in Louisiana

[01:27 – 05:49]

• Woody discusses the continued investigation into historic cases in Vernon Parish, particularly “#JusticeForBradley” and “#JusticeForAO”. He highlights the challenges of working alone and following up on every tip – noting that local law enforcement had these cases for years with no result.
• Woody clarifies the difference between complex multi-agency cases versus a “one-man band,” reiterating his dedication and thoroughness:

  “Doesn't mean I don't know what I know already, that's for sure. But then everything has to be excluded or included and we are going to continue to roll with that series.” ([03:29])

• Cyndi defends the methodical pace:

  “If this is taking you time, there's a reason. It's not because Woody Overton can't. It's whatever. I was just defending you, that's all.” ([05:07])

2. Bryan Kohberger’s Prison Ordeal and Psychological Warfare

[05:49 – 14:16]

• Kohberger’s Current Status: Serving four life sentences plus ten years in Idaho’s maximum security prison, J Block—solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
• Prison Harassment: Inmates engage in coordinated psychological harassment, including shouting through ventilation, banging on doors, and constant taunting, trying to break Kohberger mentally:

  “They have the vent at the bottom of the wall, little square vent, and you can holler to it. It’s their telephone system.” ([07:42])

• Woody references notorious Louisiana inmates harassed in similar ways, predicting that Kohberger could be driven to suicide by the relentless verbal abuse:

  “If he doesn't commit suicide, I'll be surprised. But let me tell you what kind of P word this dude is.” ([08:50])

• Kohberger’s Post-Murder Calls to His Mother: Details of his repeated, lengthy phone calls to his mother immediately after committing the murders are scrutinized.

  “He called his mama first at 6:13am then immediately called his father … and at 8:03am the same day … called his mother again. … Three hours the day of the murders.” ([09:23–13:35])

• Investigator’s “Revealing Moment”: His phone was turned off (and battery full) during the murders, undermining any defense that it “died” by accident ([12:14]).
• Woody & Cyndi Skewer the ‘Mama’s Boy’ Dynamic:

  Cyndi: “Now the little bitch talk to his mommy hours.”
  Woody: “My mom would pay me not to talk to her. Three hours on the phone.” ([13:35–14:24])

3. Louisiana Corruption: Port Allen and the New Orleans Mayor Scandal

[14:31 – 34:41]

Port Allen Mayor Derek Lewis

• Arrested/Booked for Third-Degree Rape:

  “He had previously been arrested for indecent behavior with a juvenile. Now he’s been booked for third degree rape … Lewis, 64, was arrested last Monday and deputies said additional evidence allowed them to charge him.” ([15:31])

• History of Corruption and Sting Operations:

  “They did a sting operation … promote a waste bin cleaning service in return for cash. … The businessmen behind the operation were undercover officers.” ([22:52])

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell

• Indictment and Federal Charges:

  “She got her ass indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, and she is the first New Orleans mayor to be charged with a federal crime while still in office.” ([24:03])

• Charges:

  • Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
  • Conspiracy to obstruct justice
  • False statements and grand jury perjury

• Scheme Details:

  “Contrell also had Vapey accompany her on at least 14 out of state trips … falsely claims she needed protection for safety concerns. These trips cost the city of New Orleans over $70,000.” ([26:32]) “They used a city owned apartment in the Tableau building for personal use with Vapey frequently spending time there while on duty. They took several actions to impede inquiries in a federal grand jury investigation.” ([27:01])

• Woody's Take on Political Accountability:

  “There’s no such thing as a perfect crime if somebody’s actually working it right … Sooner or later you find that crack … Get out your chisel and your sledgehammer, you bust that motherfucker wide open, … get indicted, goodbye, bye to prison.” ([32:54])

• Historical Context: Previous New Orleans mayors, notably Ray Nagin, have also served prison time for corruption ([30:51]).

4. New Orleans, Hurricanes, and Police Life: A Local’s Perspective

[33:21 – 37:59]

• Woody, a Louisiana native, shares his perspective on the challenges New Orleans faces—corrupt leadership, underfunded police, hurricanes, and the unique dangers of being a cop and resident in the “city in a bowl.”

  “If you live on the water you know, sometimes you live in the water … if it ever goes over the eye wall … it’s going to suck all the water out of Lake Pontchartrain … and spin it right back into the city…” ([34:00–37:45])

5. International Crime: Amy Betro Case in Birmingham, UK

[38:03 – 44:44]

• Who: Amy Betro, 45, of West Allis, Wisconsin, convicted in the UK for attempted contract killing related to a family feud.
• Crime Details:
  • Sought out by Nazir (involved in a 2018 attack) via a dating app
  • Flew to Birmingham, UK, multiple times
• Attempted Murder:

  “She attempted to kill Sikander Ali, Muhammad's son on September 7th of 2019. Surveillance footage shows her approaching his vehicle and firing at close range. But the gun jammed and Ali escaped unharmed… She also sent taunting messages to the victim’s father including ‘Where are you hiding? Stop playing hide and seek. You are lucky it jammed.’” ([39:05–42:38])

• Follow-Up Schemes: Attempted to frame another man by mailing him ammunition from the US; this failed when Betro’s DNA and video evidence exposed her ([43:04])
• Legal Consequences: British jury found her guilty of conspiracy to murder and firearms offenses. Extradited from Armenia in July 2024 ([43:28–44:44]).
• Woody’s Colorful Commentary:

  “She should have fired her [gun] before she tried to be an executioner … They should have had another charge of being a dumbass. And I bet you wish she was back in Wisconsin eating some of that good red meat, that great cheese and that cold Wisconsin beer.” ([42:38–44:44])

6. Anecdotes and Tangents: Alaskan Homestead Reality Show

[45:01 – 49:41]

• Woody recaps a reality show about an Alaskan homestead being given away to competition-winning couples from England – culminating in commentary about city-dwellers unprepared for rural, gun-and-hunting-based life.
• Memorable moment when contestants declare themselves vegetarian and anti-gun:

  “You can live on a mountain in Alaska. They got bears everywhere … Why would you get on this show?” ([48:43]) “I mean you stuck on that mountain and bears after your ass and you had a gun, you learn how to use it real quick.” ([49:08])

7. Closing Reflections on Cold Cases and Justice

[49:41 – 53:09]

• Woody revisits his commitment to cold cases—urging listeners to remember the humanity of victims and continue sending tips.

  “What if it's your mama? … These are not statistics. These are real. They were real live people who touch other people's lives.” ([51:20])

• He expresses gratitude to his community, even as he’s (half-jokingly) “banned for life” from certain Louisiana parishes due to his relentless investigations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote & Attribution | |-----------|--------------------| | 03:29 | “Doesn’t mean I don’t know what I know already, that's for sure. But everything has to be excluded or included and we are going to continue to roll with, with that series.” – Woody Overton | | 07:42 | “There’s nothing that’s louder than a prison ... they have the vent at the bottom of the wall, little square vent, and you can holler to it. It’s their telephone system.” – Woody Overton | | 08:50 | “If he doesn’t commit suicide, I’ll be surprised.” – Woody Overton (on Bryan Kohberger) | | 13:35 | “Now the little bitch talk to his mommy hours.” – Cyndi Overton | | 24:03 | “She got her ass indicted by a federal grand jury on Friday, and she is the first New Orleans mayor to be charged with a federal crime while still in office.” – Woody Overton | | 32:54 | “There’s no such thing as a perfect crime if somebody’s actually working it right ... Sooner or later you find that crack ... bust that motherfucker wide open, ... get indicted, goodbye, bye to prison.” – Woody Overton | | 42:38 | “She should have fired her before she tried to be an executioner.” – Woody Overton | | 49:08 | “You stuck on that mountain and bears after your ass and you had a gun, you learn how to use it real quick.” – Woody Overton | | 51:20 | “What if it's your mama ... These are not statistics. These are real. They were real live people who touch other people's lives.” – Woody Overton |

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:27 – 05:49]: Woody’s ongoing cold case investigations & podcast updates
• [05:49 – 14:16]: Bryan Kohberger in prison—details, insights, and opinions
• [14:31 – 34:41]: Louisiana mayor/crime scandals (Port Allen, New Orleans)
• [34:41 – 37:59]: Deep dive into New Orleans’ storm history and environment
• [38:03 – 44:44]: International case – Amy Betro in Birmingham, UK
• [45:01 – 49:41]: Alaskan homestead reality show tangent with firearms discussion
• [49:41 – 53:09]: Closing calls for tips, reflections on cold cases, personal thanks

Tone and Style

Woody and Cyndi blend dark humor, personal experience, and gritty realism. Woody’s profane, unfiltered style is punctuated with sharp insights from law enforcement, while Cyndi injects empathy and fast-paced retorts, making even the darkest stories compelling and accessible.

Summary

This episode delivers a fast-paced, unvarnished look at breaking crime stories—fusing deep professional insight, local knowledge, and the rapport of two co-hosts who keep each other honest. Listeners walk away with a better understanding of how justice actually works (or fails to), the complexity of major cases, and the pain and persistence behind every headline. As always, it’s “twisted, gruesome, sometimes funny, but always true.”