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Woody Overton
Hey y', all, you know I don't.
Do the laundry in our house, but.
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Woody Overton
Hello everybody and welcome to this episode of True crime. Time for Sunday, December 28, 2025 and I'm Woody Overton bringing it to you by myself today and on a Sunday. Kind of doubling up, kind of making up a little bit, y'. All. Catching up on some stories, making up a little bit for the what Happened to Jackie series we played over the holidays. Again, this is the two worst weeks of the year for podcasts And I don't want to burn anything on. On Bradley and Austin's case. I will if it's emergency, but it's holidays. Nobody's doing dick. But they are working and I know that and we're working it. So anyway, just going to bring in an extra drop today and get rid of some of these crime stories by shoving them down your throat. The. Oh yeah, the. I want to mention first of all, Spotify, we get Christmas presents from the big companies like that. But this year Spotify had already sent us a Christmas present being real life, real crime. And then they sent a huge box the other day and it had this personalized insulated Tumblr with real life for crime and my name on it. Then it had like a, I think a Sonos speaker or whatever that you can carry around blue T fling, which actually we use that on Christmas Day. And then it had another big box of Spotify chocolates in each one is a different color and all that. But it, it had an award in it and it was addressed to me, a trophy. And I just want to give a shout out to that and tell y' all what it means. So the. It was called a Crate Digger award and it's a strange name for award, but this is. It doesn't matter. Thank you Spotify, and I'll read it to you.
So says a Spotify Crate Digger award.
Means Spotify has identified real life, real crime as a show that listeners actively seek out and intentionally listen to, rather than something they just stumble across on a playlist. In plain terms, it means you, your audience, you lifers, is high intent and loyal and they search for you, follow you and come back. Your show has a strong engagement and completion rates. Spotify data shows your listeners value deep, substantive content, not just quick or trending clips. You're considered a discovery driver. People find other content through you and why it matters specifically. It's a signal of quality and trust, not popularity fluff. And it strengthens your pitch to advertisers and sponsors. You have listeners who actually listen. It tells Spotify's algorithm your show deserves continued recommendation and support. And it validates exactly what real life, real crime does best. Long form, serious story driven, true crime. I think that was pretty cool. That was pretty good recognition. Unexpected. Totally. And it means a lot. So I'm a crate digger of the 2025 Crate Digger Award, y'. All. It's all because you lifers. And look when I tell you that a lot of you are really deep and it just, you know, means the world to me and the that's why I don't mind. No, man, that's why I love doing hashtag justice for Haley. Even though we know how that one ended. Hashtag just recording Coco. Thank God that one ended in her favor. Hashtag just Mary poo show ended in her favor. Convictions, convictions. And that's why we're working so diligently on hashtag just for Bradley and hashtag just fail. I'm not gonna stop. And I don't ever want them to be in the long, long, long term category. But you know, it put what you want one hand and other and see which one weighs the most. But I love doing it. I love investigating and I love helping these families get closure. I love solving that nobody else can solve that just what drives me and I couldn't do it without y'. All. Y' all proven that time and time and again and I thank you so much. Please continue to call your tips to 3.13R LRC tip. And y' all guess what? Sooner or later the worm is gonna turn, the music's gonna stop and it'll be my turn to dance for justice for everybody. Right? And continue calling your tips and in just never know what's gonna happen, but it's gonna happen. So that being said, let's just see what we can do to bless y' all with some true crime time for this Sunday. A 51 year old Baytown man is facing multiple charges tonight after police say.
He stole more than seventeen hundred dollars.
Worth of brisket from several Central Texas grocery stores. But a police say the thefts happened during a weekend crime spree. Armando Salazar was arrested Dec. 6 and charged with theft under $2,500. With two or more prior convictions. Investigators say he targeted HB and Walmart stores in Buda Manor and Austin. So let me let's talk about this for a minute y' all and help me with this. And I know it takes all kinds to make the world go around, but I'm a professional brisket cooker. I smoked my shit for like 16 hours. That's without prep time and trimming and all that. And I do it a whole bunch of different ways. And brisket is delicious if you have the time and dedication and experience. Look, I fucked up a lot of briskets. No doubt about it. The but when you get it just right, it's love. When I was coming up 20, 30 years ago, briskets used to be like 20, 30 bucks. Now they're like a hundred bucks and it's a lot of meat. If you do it right. But who do you think wakes up in the morning in South Texas and decides I'm going to go hit every H E B and y', all. That's a grocery store out of Texas. They're fire. I love that place. And every Walmart and steal as many briskets as I can. Where is the smart factor in that? I mean, briskets are not small. You could go steal a pack of cigarettes, 10 packs of cigarettes and get away before you can get with a brisket. Mine usually weigh like 14, 16 pounds somewhere in that range. And these are big unwieldy pieces of meat. And you gonna wake up, have your Cheerios and your shitty coffee and decide I'm going, who in the wants to.
Go to Walmart, period, Much less the steel briskets. But you're going to go to every Walmart in every heb in South Texas. This is your whole day and you're solely going to steal brisket.
You sir, are a idiot. I don't get it. I get the brisket, I love it, but I don't aspire is still something better. You can't eat all these briskets so you go take them to the hood and trade over crack or meth or whatever and I get that. So. But you're going to get 50 bucks worth of $25 worth of meth on $100 piece of meat. Fucking idiot. Steal something else. But don't steal anything at all. That would actually be the best. It's time for beast mod. Now check this out. We're going to Georgia. And then. Oh my God. Some people are just ignorant. And a man and his dog were shot and killed at a Georgia park after an argument between two complete strangers turned deadly. That's according to the police. Todd Alexandra Stalkup, 52 years old, is facing multiple felony murder charges and the death of 70 year old Terry Wayne Loden of Gainesville, according to the Hall County Sheriff's Office. Now the shooting happened around 3:30pm broad ass daylight Sunday at Simpson park off of Georgia Highway 53, which is a Dawsonville highway, so shouldn't happen because an argument began between the men who were both walking their dogs and the argument escalated and it escalated and got so high up there and hot that it erupted a gunfire. Right. You 54 years old and 70 years old walking your dog in a public park and you have to be armed. Okay, well, deputy's response to reports of a shooting and found Loden critically injured. He was taken to Northeast General. I'm sorry, Northeast Georgia Medical center where he died. Guess what? His dog also died. Authority said that during the argument, Stalkup had pulled out a handgun and he shot Loaden's dog. Think about that. Your dog's probably on a leash. Maybe they, they snapped at each other, whatever. This 54 year old pulls out a pistol and they have some words and it shoots the 70 year old's dog right in front of him. That wasn't enough and because then he shot Leighton. Right. Shot him and killed him. Ultimately killed him. Stalk up. They, they said right after the shooting.
He saved the park.
But he left in his SUV as he heard the sirens coming. Right. He ran like a little. Well, he didn't get far. He was stopped and taken into custody about 15 minutes later as he was leaving the area. Because they're going to be on Bolo village. Sure. Public park. They weren't the only two in the park. They were in the glory hole in the bathroom. They were walking their dogs and shot him. People are going to take notice and they call the cops and say, ah, this jackass just left and they got him, y'. All. And he's currently being held without bond in the hall county jail. The case remains under investigation. They really don't know what started the audience of the argument. Whatever, dumbass. You know, shoot the dog, shoot the man. It is the season. Everybody out there traveling this weekend, I can promise you. So planes, trains, automobiles, and some people go overseas this time of the year. It might be work, might be, whatever. But they had a London bound Easy Jet flight. Name of the company all easyjet. Never heard them. Actually it's easyjet.com but they said it was delayed by over 11 hours. You know why? Because they had an elderly passenger who died on it. You don't hear about this that often, right? So the 89 year old woman was traveling on flight easy Y8070 from Malaga, Spain to London's Gatwick Airport when she required medical assistance on board. Oh yes. The last place you want to be is in midair and having a heart attack or something, right? I know they trained in basic first aid. Unless you got a doctor with a crash car, you're so. The Malaga Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed that officers had responded to elderly British woman who died just after 11:00am back on December 18th. Well, passengers saw it, right? The fellow passengers saw it and they took to social media and said the woman was already dead when she was boarding the Airbus A319 aircraft in the wheelchair. Can you see where this is going these. These people? You got witness saying you're waiting aboard area. Can we get what told you last week about Jesus miracle flights and like that where people are using the wheelchairs to get on planes early and get better seats and then that say I can't walk and then that land in the busy destination, they run off the plane. Right. First one off. Well, this one is just the exact opposite. Allegedly this woman was dead when they got her on the plane. I don't know. So. But EasyJet didn't have any of that. They're like, fuck that, she wasn't dead. And they said it was only after boarding the flight that the customer required a medical assistance, then sadly passed away. And the airline said that the woman was flying in the care of two medical professionals with a fit to fly certificate. All right, let's talk about that for a second. If you and I understand you have to have it because like this happening, if something happened in the past to make them come up with an actual bit to fly certificate. My mother's like 84 thing and she's flying back and forth to Texas and all the time, oh, they better not ever ask her for a fit to fly certificate. She won't even take the wheelchair through the the airports. And no matter where she goes because she's like, I'm not that away yet, but you got to have a fit to fly certificate. Maybe you shouldn't be flying. I don't know. But a passenger, Petra Bold Boddington told the local sun, anybody with eyes could see she was not fit to fly.
And it wasn't just me that thought that. It was everybody that she went past.
People sat in front of me, even said.
Seeing the people that were holding the people that were with her, holding.
Her head up, okay, students might not let you on board. We're going to, we're going to prop you up. Weekend at Bernie's. And as she continues the quotation said we all thought she looked dead. Witness said that the plane had begun taxi into the Runway when the crab crew were alerted to the passengers death and they returned to the gate. The Gatwick flight had been scheduled to depart from Malaga Airport at 11:15am well at Flight Eye 8700 departed the Spanish holiday hotspot at 10:30pm 11 hours and 15 minutes late. The EasyJet spokesperson said, Our thoughts with the family and friends of the customer who sadly passed away and we are offering support and assistance at this difficult time.
She was permitted to fly because she.
Had a medical fit to fly certificate and was being supported by medical personnel during her journey. It was Only after Borden that the customer then required medical assistance and she sadly passed away. The well being of her passengers or crew is always easy jets highest priority and we would ask customers for their understanding in these circumstances. Well you know what that's a crazy story that crime the grime is I mean I'm sure that lady didn't care she's in heaven. I hope that but the crime is being delayed for 12 hours because you let a dead lady be willed on board. I mean I guess she had to stay in her seat in her in her wheelchair. I don't really get it but there you have it. I thought interesting. Anyway so it's time for family matters. Y' all know I'm tough on crime and you know that's what I did for a living right but most of you don't know well I still do it and like helping get justice in these cases or seeking and investigating but d I'll do it from a law enforcement standpoint but what you don't know is I still only for certain lawyers I used to work for before the podcast when they'll call me they're like bro we need your help please come in and help us my clients getting right or they'll call and say come in I need you to get the truth out of this person see if they're telling the truth. I don't want to defend this even though technically everybody has a right to the defense but you don't know is I help a lot of people I help a lot of people that are wrongfully accused and I'm about to tell you about one I pray I don't think that it did or honestly don't but I pray I never sent somebody to prison got him wrongfully convicted and but it does happen in our justice system is not perfect but it is the best in the world. So I'm going to tell you about a man's 25 year journey from wrongful conviction to freedom which showed the flaw in the justice system and it because of this flaw and they recognize it but I tell you policy procedures somebody something up well that this guy's 25 year wrongful conviction hell changes to evidence sharing laws says I'm going to tell you about Michael Morton and this example of the justice system's fallibility and the potential for reform. Way back in 1987 I'm 17 years old Warren was convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to life in prison y' all he spent nearly 25 years behind bars but the one thing never changed for him. He always said, I'm innocent. Only bad thing for him is everybody in prison says they're innocent, Right? But he maintained it 25 years. He sat, you know, he's doing life. He's going to die there. I did not kill her. Right.
Hey, y'. All, I want to take a moment to recommend another podcast called Mind of a Monster, the Killer Nurse. Mind of a Monster is a podcast series from ID that dives into the minds of notorious serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and more. This season, they explore the chilling story of Kristen Gilbert, a nurse who murders four of her patients between 1989 and 1995 and is suspected of killing dozens more. Chronopsychologist Dr. Michelle Ward takes us inside Kristen's twisted mind, uncovering why she kills and how she manages to do it.
Right in front of her colleagues.
The entire season is out now, so you can binge it wherever you get your podcast. And coming up next, they're covering Israel Keys, a serial killer who picks his victims at random across the US and covers his tracks with terrifying precision. That new season drops early next year. Don't miss it, lifers. I know you love to get inside.
The mind of evil, just like I do.
And the Mind of a Monster podcast.
Series from ID is fire. You are going to love it.
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So his eventual exoneration I'm gonna tell you about in a second. His eventual exoneration exposed serious issues within the legal process, sparking a movement that changed criminal procedure. So back in 1986, in the month of August, Christine Morton was found beaten to death. In her home. And investigators, you got to start from the inside out. The investigators focus on her husband Michael as the primary suspect. And guess what? Then they could never get off of him. The prosecution's case that his 1987 trial was built on circumstantial evidence. They lacked a murder weapon or confession. Prosecutors theorized that Morton had killed his wife in a rage after she refused to have sex with him. I'm gonna kill my wife for a lot of reasons, but that won't be one. The state also presented evidence that Morton seemed emotionally detached and pointed to a note in he left for her as a sign of a troubled marriage. And even though they didn't have any direct physical evidence, the jury was persuaded and found Michael Morton guilty, sentenced him to life in prison. Okay, locked up goes away. How do we get these fundamental changes? Well, Michael Morton, as I told you, he's always maintained his innocence. And he went through appeal after appeal. He got denied and he got denied. Finally, his case gained the attention of the Innocence Project. Well, y', all, I've been contacted about them on numerous cases. Let's just say some people aren't so innocent. Anyway. He, they. For your case to get picked up by them, they either got to have some pretty good evidence or it's a pretty big public matter that they're going to get mileage out of. So anyway, his new legal team began a legal battle to have a key pieces of evidence from the crime scene subjected to modern DNA testing. And the central piece of evidence was a bloody band denim discovered near the Morton home, but not in it. After years of resistance from the prosecution, the courts ordered the testing in 2011. And guess what the results showed. The DNA on the bandana belonged to Christine Morton. Remember, it was outside the house and an unknown male and the DNA did not belong to Michael Morton. This proof led to his release from prison in October of 2011. And y', all, that's way back. DNA's come so far now in DNA database comparisons like later identified the other man as Mark Allen Norwood. Guess what? He was also convicted of murder. So doesn't end there. Following the Morgan's exoneration, his legal team accessed the original case files, and they discovered that the lead prosecutor, Mr. Ken Anderson, had intentionally withheld evidence that would have supported Morton's claims of innocence. And this is called exculpatory evidence. Most of y' all know that under the Supreme Court rule, under Brady, if you got something you gotta handle, it's Brady versus Maryland. You gotta hand it over to the defense. If you can bury it in 5,000 pages of if you're that uncomfortable about it or whatever. I never did. Of course I wasn't in one hand in case files over but I didn't hide evidence ever on anything because if you can't get it off the circumstantial evidence and or you know why if you're going to hide some like that I'm pretty sure that should be prosecuted himself. So they call it suppressed evidence. Right. And and the suppressed evidence included a transcript of an interview with Morton's three year old son who said his father was not home during the attack. Now you think three year olds can't testify. That's bullshit. The four year old girl, little girl in a murder case picked out the bad guy that I did out of a lineup. And so this three year old said hey my daddy wasn't here. Right. And so this concealment of evidence led to Morton's wrongful conviction and allowed the real killer to rem. Came free and then guess what. He continued to kill and but they. They called him for at least one more murder years years later. So now they call it the Michael Mornak. So they show that prosecutor Anderson's misconduct you know that's up. That was just dumb. It is lose the case or don't take the case. Right. The but anyway prompted him to change the law y' all and legislative action and in 2013 the Texas legislature passed the Michael Morton Act. And this is the law of reform the discovery process of criminal cases and it aims to prevent future wrongful convictions by insurance greater transparency from the prosecution. The the Michael Mor act requires prosecutors to turn over all evidence in their possession that is relevant to the case including police reports and written statements. Captain Obvious. Right again because somebody it up they said this open file policy applies regardless of whether the material is favorable or or incriminate and removes the prosecutor's discretion to decide what to share. The law also mandates the prosecutors maintain a record of all disclosed evidence to ensure accountability. So yeah that's. That's how it's supposed to work y'. All. And I mean I hate that Michael Morton spent all the time in prison. I mean that we've had the Brady Act, Brady vs. Maryland since before I was even a cop. Now we got the Michael Morton act at least in Texas. Hate that. I. I know there are some people that are wrongfully accused and I know I'm a staunch advocate of the death penalty and the I know some DNA has cleared some people on death. Right. And I'm Glad they got cleared so. But I heard the DNA is so advanced now. I was talking to one of my friends, a detective, he said it's so advanced now that they're almost going to be able to do it instantly. They're that close. And when I remember DNA first started in the early 90s and then it had to be proven in court and it took forever. Every homicide I ever had, every rape I ever had, the you could hand walk in a letter to the crime lab at the Louisiana State Police and it would sometimes take up to a year to get the results back. Now they can do it because all this familiar DNA and everything else taken there, they're really going to be. It's going to be a bad fucking day for the bad guys and girls when. When they can get your DNA instant. Right. But I don't mind it. I don't hate it because the people are innocent and sometimes that happens. Um, I don't really think it's the cops fault they got tele. Well maybe it's their fault they got television but DNA all for it. Hope they keep rolling with it. Right. It's time for effort of professionals. So y' all know I'm a veteran and my daddy was a veteran and basically everybody in my family lineage has served. And it's a very honorable thing I think Shane McBride, you know there's all the people I know and people I serve with and all heroes. And I'm gonna tell you about a guy who was a Veteran in. In 1993. 29 year old. I was 23 years old, he was 6 years older than me. 29 year old Herman Williams, who is a decorated Navy veteran who served two tours in the Gulf War which was y' all 91. And he was convicted by a Lake county jury of killing his ex wife. Despite maintaining his innocence nearly three decades later, William who's of Gurney was exonerated and released from prison. Yeah. So you get that two for back to back on Monday. And this is. You can't pay a enough money. You couldn't pay me enough money to do this kind of time. Makes doesn't matter. You're too old to enjoy because of. He was six years older than me. He's going to be in his 60s on Monday. He was awarded a $13 million settlement through a civil federal lawsuit. Because when he got out he sued. Right. And they said quotations. Herman's case was truly a travesty of justice. Not only because Herman and his children suffered immeasurably but but because Penny Williams murder remains unsolved. And this according to Brian Edwards who's a founding partner of Hart, Macklin and Eldridge. And naturally he's one of Williams attorneys. So quotations said. While Herman can never get back the years he spent in prison as an innocent man, we hope this settlement will help him close this painful chapter in his life and find peace in the years ahead. I am pretty sure. $13 million. Being locked up all those years for killing your wife. They can't. And your wife's murder still out there. Well, anyway, according to his attorneys, William's conviction was a result of a fabricated confession, manufactured and concealed evidence and false testimony by law enforcement public servants who had abandoned their professional and ethical obligations in order to close the case and advance their careers. Unfortunately, it happens that. Let's go back to 1993. In 1993, Mr. Herman and Penny they had two young children which they shared a six year old son and a three year old daughter. And they had divorced. And Herman Williams remarried. But maintain a strong platonic relationship with Penny, his ex. Right. And were committed to the well being of their children. This according to the statement from the attorneys at the time. Williams was stationed at Great Lake Naval Base in Lake County. And according to Williams attorneys, the state's theory at the trial was that Herman murdered Penny on the evening of September 22, 1993. But guess what? They had witnesses said he didn't do it. But the next morning Williams left their apartment to take his children to school and report to work at the naval base. And once he returned, Penny Williams was gone. So what does he do? He calls the gurney police that night and says hey, Penny's missing and the cops still on the old line. You always see for movies. You know what? We need a little more time before you can report missing the old standard. And they say it was 24 hours of that's Sometimes you get the call, you just know. But two days later Penny Williams purse was found in a trash can in nearby Park City. The Great Mate Great Lakes Major Crime Task Force then began their investigation. And on September 26, 1993 Penny Williams body was found in a shallow pond near Mid Lane Country Club in Waukegan. And I'm pretty sure she did not put herself there. Herman Williams attorneys accused task force of having tunnel vision and and focused solely on Herman Williams as a suspect in Penny's murder. Herman Williams civil lawsuit alleged misconduct by members of the task force, the state's attorney's office and the medical examiner. And the sergeant on the case was also accused of manufacturing a confession that Herman never gave. Wow. So they said after his wrongful conviction in 1994. The damages Herman sustained as a result of the defendant's misconduct are unspeakable. Not only did he lose more than 28 years of his life and suffer in prison as an innocent man, but whose two children. His two children, who were only 6 and 3 years old at the time of their mom's murder, grew up without either of their parents. And worse, they grew up under the mistaken belief that their father murdered their mother. His cord. Another one of the attorneys, Mr. Romanusi, said since Herman was exonerated, he has reconciled with his children and he is fighting every day to restore his life and his relationships. Wow. And look before 13.5 million, this probably would have meant more to me. Williams when he get. They let him out, they gave him a certificate of innocence and that fucking nice. Bad cops. It happens. I don't know, I. I'm biased.
Oh I know.
Bad cop work. Bad police work happens like in Haley's case and when Courtney Coco's case and AO's case and like that just gets messed. It gets messed up. You look the wrong way, do the wrong thing, say the wrong thing. But you know that I find it very, very hard to believe this is such a small percentage, probably way less sentencing than the. There are unsolved cold cases that there's actually dirty cops. I mean like the. The dude just wakes up one morning and says I'm going to go put an innocent man in jail. I'm going to manufacture a confession, I'm going to do all this shit. And they start their day like that. Just like the brisket thief, he's planning out all the Walmarts and Hebs he's going to hit. Well the copy or the detective, they never know what they're going to get. So they can't plan it out ahead of time. So they're reacting to whatever circumstances they responded to. Now I get being pissed off in baby rapers and murderers and like that I get being pissed off and. And wanting to solve a case and a lot of times being right there on the edge of getting what I call the juice, getting a straight up confession and you can't get it. And so you have to wait on other things. DNA. Back in my day, you know, just getting started shit, the you whatever it is you're waiting on and you keep dancing right to the music turns your way. And that's what I used to train all the young guys. I said it over and over. Again, if you don't have them correct, let them the fuck go and you'll dance another day. This case, obviously they got it wrong, right? The worst tragedy is that 28 years in prison is bad wife, the ex wife is mother your children's murder bad. 28 years in prison labeled as a murderer to your own kids, much less the entire world bad. The. I don't know how they. This cop got a confession out of them or whatever manufacturer confession or whatever. I don't. I don't know. I don't know. It's like the last case. I don't know, I don't get it. But I mean in the last case, bloody bandana found outside the home and you knew about it or. And a three year old says hey, my dad wasn't here. They. You got three year olds who don't do anything with slobber on themselves and you got three year olds who tell you exactly how the cow ate the cabbage. I mean it takes all kinds but that a three year old should have had a chance, you know and. And the jury should have had a chance to listen to it. And I guess I'm just rambling on but the Never give up, never surrender if you are wrongfully convicted. And I have so many reach out to me that say they are. I pray that you get unconvicted, right? And. But if you're not wrongly convicted, you go yourself. We didn't make you rape, murder, steal, do whatever and you chose that and suffer the consequences. The that's why we have laws and love y'. All. I think I'm gonna go watch some football. I think it's the last week of NFL football for the year. Definitely into the college bowl games, but love y'. All. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Please like listen and share. Go download the real life Real crime community app for free. Patreon and comics. I love you. Thank you so much for supporting us. Couldn't do the show without you. International sponsor, y'. All. We have more than we've ever had and I'm very thankful for that. We're blessed and thank you all for my. What's it called?
Spotify's.
Crate Digger. Still crack. That cracks me up. Thank you for my trophy, Spotify. That's awesome. I'll put it on the shelf. The rest of them, but it's because y'. All, y' all heard it. That. That is what is the written statement. I'm a crate digger because of y' all and I love you and I thank you and I can never tell you enough. And I've got nothing else for you today. Cynthia might be back tomorrow, she might not. Holidays, right? And I'm Woody Overton. You host A True Crime time for this Sunday, December 28th, and I'll holler at you later. Love you. Peace.
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Host: Woody Overton
Date: December 28, 2025
Theme: This episode delivers a mix of bizarre, tragic, and sometimes darkly humorous real-life crime stories, with an emphasis on wrongful convictions and the flaws—and hopes—in the American legal system. Woody Overton draws on his decades of firsthand law enforcement experience, layering the storytelling with direct commentary, outrage, and a pointed call for justice.
Woody Overton hosts this solo episode of "True Crime Time For," recapping recent crime stories and highlighting the ongoing fight for justice, especially in cases of wrongful conviction. He covers viral oddball crimes, tragic shootings, shocking travel mishaps, and deep-dives into two heartbreaking wrongful conviction stories, all interwoven with his signature rough-edged, impassioned style. The episode is a testament to how one man’s commitment (and that of his dedicated listeners, or "lifers") can ripple through the true crime community and the justice system at large.
Spotify's Crate Digger Award:
Woody shares gratitude for winning Spotify’s "Crate Digger Award," signifying RLRC’s loyal, high-intent listener base.
"Spotify has identified Real Life Real Crime as a show that listeners actively seek out and intentionally listen to... It's a signal of quality and trust, not popularity fluff." (07:02)
Shoutouts to Supporters:
Woody thanks "lifers" for their engagement and underscores the importance of listener tips in breaking tough cases.
"Sooner or later the worm is gonna turn, the music's gonna stop, and it'll be my turn to dance for justice for everybody... continue calling your tips." (09:15)
"Who wakes up in the morning in South Texas and decides, I’m going to go hit every HEB and Walmart and steal as many briskets as I can? Where is the smart factor in that?" (11:00) "You can't eat all these briskets... You go take them to the hood and trade 'em for crack or meth... Steal something else. But don't steal anything at all. That would actually be the best." (12:41)
"Two complete strangers turned deadly... Both walking their dogs, the argument escalated and got so hot that it erupted in gunfire. Right. You’re 54 years old and 70 years old walking your dog in a public park and you have to be armed." (13:02) On escaping: "He left in his SUV as he heard the sirens coming... he ran like a little... Well, he didn’t get far." (15:44)
"The fellow passengers saw it and they took to social media and said the woman was already dead when she was boarding the plane in the wheelchair. Can you see where this is going? Weekend at Bernie’s." (18:50) Notable quote from passenger:
"Anybody with eyes could see she was not fit to fly. And it wasn't just me that thought that... the people that were with her, holding her head up." (20:09)
"I pray I never sent somebody to prison and got him wrongfully convicted, but it does happen. Our justice system is not perfect, but it is the best in the world." (22:24) "If you’re going to hide some shit like that, I’m pretty sure you should be prosecuted yourself." (32:05)
"Herman’s case was a true travesty of justice. Not only did he lose more than 28 years of his life... his two children... grew up under the mistaken belief that their father murdered their mother." (44:47)
"I find it very, very hard to believe... there are dirty cops who wake up in the morning and say ‘I’m going to put an innocent man in jail.’ ...I think it’s a tiny, tiny percentage. Most want to get it right." (47:21) "Never give up, never surrender if you are wrongfully convicted... But if you’re not wrongly convicted, go fuck yourself." (50:30)
Woody on True Crime Obsession:
"That’s what drives me and I couldn’t do it without y’all. Y’all have proven that time and time again." (08:30)
On the justice system’s fallibility:
"Our justice system is not perfect, but it is the best in the world." (22:24)
On DNA advances:
"DNA’s so advanced now... they’re almost going to be able to do it instantly. It’s going to be a bad fuckin’ day for the bad guys and girls..." (36:50)
On false confessions:
"You can’t pay a man enough money to do this kind of time… being locked up all those years for killing your wife, and your wife’s real killer is still out there." (43:15)
Woody’s tone is candid, raw, and peppered with expletives and dark humor. His perspective is shaped by a long law enforcement career, which brings both skepticism and empathy to each case. He is fiercely loyal to victims and equally harsh on those who abuse positions of power in the justice system, but he never spares a moment to appreciate his fiercely supportive listenership.
This episode offers a balanced dose of the outrageous, the tragic, and the hopeful sides of true crime—and justice. Woody’s narrative weaves between headline oddities and profound failures of the legal system, always circling back to the community’s role in seeking and achieving real justice.
If you only listen to one part:
End on Woody’s signature sign-off:
"And I’m Woody Overton. Your host for True Crime Time for this Sunday, December 28th, and I’ll holler at you later. Love you. Peace." (51:58)
Note:
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Quotes are attributed and marked with timestamps for listener follow-up.