True Crime Time For July 3, 2025 | Happy Birthday America!

Summary

Real Life Real Crime Podcast Summary

Episode Title: True Crime Time For July 3, 2025 | Happy Birthday America!
Host: Woody Overton & Cindy Overton
Release Date: July 3, 2025

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Introduction and Casual Banter (00:00 - 02:30)

The episode kicks off with Woody Overton and his co-host, Cindy Overton, exchanging warm greetings and celebrating the eve of Independence Day. Their lighthearted conversation touches on various topics, including Woody's fondness for the Fourth of July and reminiscing about national parks. This casual banter sets a friendly and approachable tone for the episode.

Notable Quote:

Woody Overton (00:28): "Happy Fourth of July Eve. Happy birthday, Eve, America."

July 4th and Mass Shootings (04:00 - 07:20)

Transitioning from their introductions, Woody delves into a serious discussion about the correlation between Independence Day and a spike in gun violence in the United States. He presents alarming statistics, highlighting that July 4th is historically one of the most active days for mass shootings.

Key Points:

• Despite a recent decrease in shootings compared to previous years, July 4th remains a period of heightened gun violence.
• Factors contributing to this trend include warmer weather, increased social gatherings, alcohol consumption, and the use of fireworks, which can sometimes serve as distractions for criminal activities.
• Woody references the tragic Highland Park parade shooting in 2022, where seven people were killed, underscoring the persistent dangers associated with the holiday.

Notable Quotes:

Woody Overton (05:27): "July 4th has historically seen more mass shootings than any other day of the year."

Woody Overton (06:35): "In 2022, the Highland park parade shooting, where seven people were killed and dozens were injured, is a serious reminder of potential violence on the Fourth of July."

Celebrity Home Break-ins (07:20 - 10:00)

Cindy introduces a segment on recent high-profile burglaries, focusing on the break-in at Brad Pitt's Los Feliz residence. She details the incident, noting that three unidentified suspects forcibly entered Pitt's home, stealing an unspecified amount of belongings. This part of the discussion highlights a possible trend in targeting celebrity homes in Los Angeles.

Key Points:

• Brad Pitt's residence was broken into on June 25th while he was abroad for a movie promotion.
• This burglary is part of a larger wave of celebrity home break-ins, including notable figures like Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, and Tom Hanks.
• Authorities are investigating whether these crimes are isolated incidents or part of an organized effort targeting affluent neighborhoods.

Notable Quotes:

Cindy Overton (08:14): "On Wednesday night, June 25, around 10:30pm three unidentified suspects broke into Brad Pitt's Los Feliz residence in Los Angeles."

Woody Overton (09:50): "They bust a lot of those and they tied them back to illegal Emory gangs. Yeah, out of South America."

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During this period, several advertisements are interspersed within the transcript. As per the summary guidelines, these non-content sections are omitted to maintain focus on the episode's main topics.

Historical Crimes on July 4th (17:54 - 32:30)

Woody shifts the conversation to notable historical events and misconceptions related to the Fourth of July. He touches on significant incidents, such as the bombing at the New York World's Fair in 1940 and the infamous Zodiac Killer's actions in 1969.

Key Points:

• 1940 New York World's Fair Bombing: A bomb explosion resulted in the deaths of two police detectives and injured several others. It is speculated to be linked to the escalating tensions in Europe leading up to World War II.
• Zodiac Killer (1969): On July 4th, the Zodiac Killer murdered Darlene Farron and Michael Magu at Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo, California, marking one of his many heinous acts.
• Highland Park Parade Shooting (2022): Robert Cremo III opened fire during the parade, killing seven and injuring dozens, reinforcing the pattern of violence associated with Independence Day.

Notable Quotes:

Woody Overton (17:54): "They bombed it. It was a bomb explosion. And it killed two Police detectives, and injured several others."

Woody Overton (18:50): "Zodiac Killer was on crime stuff, not on life. He killed a bunch of people, and he toned the newspapers and he would send him letters and all that."

Additionally, Woody dispels common myths about July 4th, such as the misconception that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th itself, clarifying that the official vote occurred two days earlier.

Notable Quote:

Woody Overton (23:08): "One of the greatest misconceptions of the fourth of July lies in the name, in the date. It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4th of 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before."

Fun Facts and Misconceptions about July 4th (24:00 - 31:51)

The hosts engage in an informative segment filled with intriguing facts and corrections about July 4th:

• Flag Design Misconception: Contrary to popular belief, there is no hidden treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Any markings are likely labels added during the revolutionary war era.

• Richard Stockton's Recantation: Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration, was the only one who withdrew his support after being captured and mistreated by the British, leading to the destruction of his esteemed library.

• Hot Dog Consumption: Highlighting the cultural significance, the hosts mention that Americans consume approximately 150 million hot dogs during Independence Day, part of the 7 billion eaten in the summer season.

• Fireworks Safety: Woody emphasizes the dangers associated with fireworks, noting that only 10% of displays are professional, leading to around 12,900 firework-related emergency room visits annually.

Notable Quotes:

Woody Overton (24:45): "According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council, Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday."

Woody Overton (25:04): "According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend more than 1 billion on fireworks each year."

Conclusion and Final Remarks (33:23 - 34:30)

As the episode wraps up, Woody and Cindy reflect on the significance of July 4th, intertwining historical insights with contemporary issues related to crime and public safety. They reiterate their commitment to addressing various forms of crime, from human sex trafficking to cold cases, emphasizing the podcast's dedication to justice and advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

Woody Overton (34:06): "We hate it for everyone and the victims families and everyone who goes through crime and all that crime sucks."

Woody Overton (34:21): "Have A Happy, happy 4th of July. Stay safe."

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to the listeners, encouraging them to enjoy the holiday responsibly and stay vigilant.

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Overall Summary:

In this episode of Real Life Real Crime, hosts Woody and Cindy Overton blend casual conversations with in-depth analyses of crimes associated with Independence Day. They explore the disturbing rise in gun violence during July 4th, examine recent celebrity home break-ins, and delve into historical crimes that have marred the holiday's legacy. Throughout the discussion, they intersperse fascinating historical facts and debunk common myths about the Fourth of July. The episode serves as both an informative and cautionary tale, urging listeners to celebrate responsibly while remaining aware of the underlying dangers that can surface during national festivities.

Highlighted Quotes with Timestamps:

• Woody Overton (05:27): "July 4th has historically seen more mass shootings than any other day of the year."
• Cindy Overton (08:14): "Three unidentified suspects broke into Brad Pitt's Los Feliz residence in Los Angeles."
• Woody Overton (23:08): "It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4th of 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before."
• Woody Overton (24:45): "Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday."
• Woody Overton (34:06): "We hate it for everyone and the victims families and everyone who goes through crime and all that crime sucks."

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Note: This summary omits advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights shared by Woody and Cindy Overton during the episode.

Transcript

[Woody Overton]

Foreign. Hello, everybody, and welcome to this episode of True Crime. Time for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. And I'm Woody Overton.

[Cindy Overton]

I'm Cindy Overton.

[Woody Overton]

Happy Fourth of July Eve. Happy birthday, Eve, America.

[Cindy Overton]

Yay.

[Woody Overton]

Right? Love Fourth of July. Just always loved it. Always. You know, just Independence Day.

[Cindy Overton]

Yes.

[Woody Overton]

Right. Otherwise we'd be speaking the king's English. Used to be the queens, now it's the kings. Because the queen is dead, Right?

[Cindy Overton]

Oh, my gosh.

[Woody Overton]

That's true.

[Cindy Overton]

It is true. She is gone.

[Woody Overton]

No, it's true. We would still be part of England.

[Cindy Overton]

Oh, well, that's.

[Woody Overton]

Well, maybe not, because we probably all be speaking German or Japanese, because if we hadn't become America, we're part of England. We might have got our ass kicked in World War I or World War II by the Germans. But anyway, that's love and appreciate each and every one of y'. All. Thank you for tuning in and liking listening and sharing. Hashtag, Just for Bradley. Hashtag, hashtag. Justin Barber. Blunt. Things are happening. Things are shaking. You're going to get Bradley's next episode next week because it's the worst week for podcasting, and I'm actively working on some stuff, but I hope you are all enjoying your barbecues and your time at the beach and you're not getting too sunburned. A lot of people go to the mountains right now.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

And I went to the mountains one time in Smoking Mountain national park, whatever it's called. The one in Tennessee. North Carolina.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

You know, that's the most visited national park there is.

[Cindy Overton]

I didn't know that.

[Woody Overton]

By millions, you would think it'd be Yellowstone and all that, but nope, it's this. And they tell you what it is up there at this time of the year, Hot as. It's just as hot as it is down here and. But anyway, so I hope y' all are enjoying it all, and I promise you I'm gonna be barbecuing and doing a little fishing, some swimming and stuff like that, and I hope you too, and. But let's get down some true crime. Time for Thursday. Thursday. What you got?

[Cindy Overton]

I have a joke. All right, so what do you get with a piano tuna and glue?

[Woody Overton]

No idea.

[Cindy Overton]

You can tune a piano, but you cannot piano a tuna.

[Woody Overton]

I have no idea what the fuck she just said.

[Cindy Overton]

You can tuna piano. I understand tuna piano, not piano a tuna.

[Woody Overton]

What does piano a tuna mean?

[Cindy Overton]

You're supposed to say, what about the glue?

[Woody Overton]

Evidently, I wasn't paying attention. What about the glue?

[Cindy Overton]

Let's don't get stuck on that.

[Woody Overton]

Oh, my God. I hope your 5th grade students when you used to teach them a guy that. Because I damn sure didn't.

[Cindy Overton]

Oh my goodness.

[Woody Overton]

There you go. Where'd you come up with that one from?

[Cindy Overton]

Saw it on a TV show last night. Ginny and Georgia.

[Woody Overton]

Nobody got that either, I'm pretty sure. Did you get it?

[Cindy Overton]

Yes, it's hilarious. You didn't hear me laughing last night.

[Woody Overton]

When they said, no, I did not. I did not. I missed that.

[Cindy Overton]

The dry humor. What about the glue?

[Woody Overton]

Let me say this before you get started. You know, I always talk about Memorial Day weekend and all the mass shootings. Right. And then make a big deal about that every year. Well, the also say, said, and my favorite episode duty on the 4th, that the 4th of July is the worst day of the year to be a cop. It really is because of the heat. And usually it's a long holiday weekend and you know, people act good beginning of the weekend. By the end of the weekend, they're been up for a couple days or they're out of money or domestic violence guy ranks. Whatever, whatever. But the I've been remiss in the years past to talk about the fourth of July in the mass shootings. So let me tell you a little statistic. July 4th is statistically a day with a high number of mass shootings and overall gun violence in the United States. And the Even though there's been a decrease on fourth of July shootings and recent years compared to the years before, it remains a period of heightened concern. The day celebrations combined with factors like warmer weather, increased social gatherings, et cetera, contribute to this trend. So July 4th has historically seen more mass shootings than any other day of the year.

[Cindy Overton]

Wow.

[Woody Overton]

That goes against my thing about the Super Bowl. I was told the Super Bowl. Well, no, super bowl is the highest domestic violence. Right? Yeah. So overall gun violence. Well, there is a spike in overall gun violence during the July 4th weekend with more people shot and killed compared to other times of the year. He criminologists like James Allen Fox from Northeastern University say that the rise in temperatures can expate aggression and lead to increased violent crime. Yeah, that's the truth. When I worked in the prison system, if it was summertime and a full moon, they don't have ac if was on. Right. Social gatherings, increased alcohol consumption and social tension during holiday gatherings can also contribute to violence. Means can't handle their alcohol and they act a fool. Fireworks and alcohol. Now, while fireworks are a common part of the celebrations, they can also be used As a distraction to cover for criminal activity. I don't know about that. Right. I mean, remind me to get some fireworks. I do want to get some fireworks.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay.

[Woody Overton]

We've got the new house. Want to blow some shit up, so. And let me tell you about one of them. And I think everybody remembers this. In 2022, the Highland park parade shooting, where seven people were killed and dozens were injured, is. Is a serious reminder of potential violence. The fourth of July. Yeah, Those people. In south Louisiana, we do a parade for just about anything. But most people don't do fourth of July parades. Although I did have a vehicle pursuit on the 4th of July night right through the town of Livingston on Highway 190 during the middle of the 4 4th of July parade and fireworks display.

[Cindy Overton]

I didn't know they did that.

[Woody Overton]

Yeah, so. So while still a concern, there's been a recent decrease in the number of shootings over the fourth of July weekend compared to the previous year. However, the levels are still higher than they were before. COVID 19. So they say the events of the July 4th can have a lasting impact on communities, with survivors and families affected by shootings often experiencing trauma and grief. That's kept an obvious statement.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah, right.

[Woody Overton]

I mean, whatever. So I don't know that y' all stay safe out there tomorrow. I'm like, read you some more fourth July stuff in a minute, but you go ahead and bless us with a story.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay. Well, we have Brad Pitt's home that was broken into.

[Woody Overton]

Tell me about that. Yeah, he's got a new movie just came out, Something about the race car driver.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah, looks there. The promotions on that are really cool. It's called F1.

[Woody Overton]

Yeah.

[Cindy Overton]

But on Wednesday night, June 25, around 10:30pm Three unidentified suspects broke into Brad Pitt's Los Feliz residence in Los Angeles. And they literally didn't even try to hide it. They. I mean, of course, his house is surrounded by a fence, but they went straight through the front window. Like, they didn't even try. They might. It might be on a cliff or something. So they might not have been able to go through the back, but I don't know. The intruders ransacked the property, making off with an unspecified amount of belongings before fleeing the scene. And at the time, Pitt was out of the country on the promotional tour for F1, the movie, and he had attended a premiere in London on June 23 and was waiting for the next premiere, whatever for his press junket. But the LAPD confirmed that the break in is under investigation. And there's no suspects, but Brad Pitt's representatives have also declined to comment on the incident. But this isn't an isolated incident. It seems like this burglary is part of a wave of celebrity home break ins in Los Angeles. We have all the sports break ins.

[Woody Overton]

That we've been, but they bust a lot of those and they tied them back to illegal Emory gangs. Yeah, out of South America.

[Cindy Overton]

So in recent months or the this.

[C]

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[Woody Overton]

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[C]

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[Woody Overton]

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[Cindy Overton]

You know, past year or so homes like Nicole Kidman's and Keith Urban's was broke into. Yeah, that was in February of this year.

[Woody Overton]

Do you know how the I saw that. They said how they stay together all these years.

[Cindy Overton]

They only talk on the phone and they do not text.

[Woody Overton]

They do not text.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Isn't that crazy?

[Cindy Overton]

Yep. And Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's house was broke into in 2024. I would think that there's probably a few more than just those two homes if they're saying this is a larger wave of celebrity home break ins. But authorities are exploring whether the crimes are isolated or part of an organized targeting of affluent neighborhoods. And they're reviewing. LAPD is reviewing surveillance footage and conducting forensic analysis to identify the possible people that are responsible. And Brad Pitt or his team has not.

[Woody Overton]

What all they get.

[Cindy Overton]

They did not make a list. Unspecified amount of belongings is what is cited.

[Woody Overton]

H. I mean, I would think the obvious, like jury watches and rings and like that. Is he married?

[Cindy Overton]

Movie memorabilia? No, no. Him and Angelina Jolie are.

[Woody Overton]

That I would think. I mean, he's probably got everything. Dude's rich. He's probably got paintings.

[Cindy Overton]

He's a man. He's a guy's guy, too. Apparently. He like, you know, so he probably has like all the toys.

[Woody Overton]

Oh, yeah.

[Cindy Overton]

I don't want to say.

[Woody Overton]

You have no clue. He might be the sissiest dude in the world.

[Cindy Overton]

He. That's what. Okay, I can't.

[Woody Overton]

Somebody on the. In the note told you.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay, someone in the know told me. But this was from 30 years ago, so I can't really.

[Woody Overton]

Okay. Yeah, well, times have changed. Look how much the world's changed.

[Cindy Overton]

Exactly.

[Woody Overton]

All right, let's go back to fourth of July. I'm gonna tell you some famous or infamous crimes that happen on the 4th of July. Okay. We only talk about this state once a year, right? So one and I did do the story last year. In 1940, they had the New York World's Fair. And guess what happened. You must not listen to my episode last year.

[Cindy Overton]

I did. I just don't remember.

[Woody Overton]

They bombed it. It was a bomb. That was a bomb explosion. And it killed two Police detectives, and injured several others. And off the top of my head, I remember some reporting suspicious packs. They went and did it, and it was one of the countries. Might have been Germany or whatever. It was one of the. This is when the war in Europe started.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Don't forget Hitler. Before we got into it in 1941, he had already invaded the France and the other countries, and they thought it was tied to that. That. And. And. But the. I remember the detectives, like, when picked up the package and brought it into an office and opened it and blew up and killed him. Oh, so that's sad, huh?

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

A more infamous one in 1969, the Zodiac Killer. What you know about him?

[Cindy Overton]

I don't know anything about him.

[Woody Overton]

I mean, that's. It's good that you don't have crime, because then. Not that I know everything about crime, but it gives us a good ying to the yang.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah, well, my ying is stupid.

[Woody Overton]

Zodiac Killer was on crime stuff, not on life. Yeah, so. But he killed a bunch of people, and he tones the newspapers and he would send him letters and all that.

[Cindy Overton]

Oh, was he the one that sent the letters with, like, all the different, like, cutouts of letters and stuff? Like, did he make those letters that way or.

[Woody Overton]

And so the. On the 4th of July, 1969, he shot Darlene Farron and Michael Magu at the Blue Rock Springs park in Valeo, California. All right. Murdered. That was two of his many victims. Yeah, the one I just told you about. 2022, the Highland Park Parade shooting. Robert Cremo III opened fire The. The July 4th parade in Highland Park, Illinois, killing seven and injuring dozens more.

[Cindy Overton]

That's horrible.

[Woody Overton]

Isn't that right?

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

So. And of course, they say fourth of July is often associated with an increase in gun violence. Numerous mass shootings, other shootings across the country each year. Hey, let me tell you something. It's like New Year's Eve. And. And I've witnessed this. The people who did take the time to go out and buy fireworks, they just start shooting, start shooting. But what goes up must come down. And we had so many people injured by bullets, and most time, you can't even find where they came from. It could be you. You shoot a.22 rifle up in the air, that bullets could come down two miles away. Yeah, but it will come down. Laws of gravity. It will tear your ass up. So, y', all, if you're going to shoot some know what your backstop is. I'm not telling you not use your rights and discharge a firearm, but shoot it At a stump or something and be safe. All right, so let me just. How about what happened on fourth of July to make it Fourth of July?

[Cindy Overton]

Yes. That's what I really wanted you to talk about.

[Woody Overton]

The Declaration of Independence was adopted this day in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress. And it called for the American colony to secede from Great Britain. Right?

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Thank goodness. Big.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

And I'll tell you another important. July 4th, 1965, which was a Sunday. And the. There was a desk and then they said it in front of the Statue of Liberty. And President Lyndon Johnson signed Immigration and Nationality act of 1965 in the law which abolished the Emergency Quota act that had been in place since 1921.

[Cindy Overton]

I love that he went and sat at the Statue of Liberty.

[Woody Overton]

Ellis island, where people, all the immigrants had to come in.

[Cindy Overton]

My people came in on Ellis Island. Well, except for Lafitte.

[Woody Overton]

Well, we're talking about F1. This is kind of close to that. On July 4, 1971, on a Sunday, Scottish driver Jackie Stewart won the 1971 French Grand Prix Motor Race at the circuit. Paul ricardo.

[Cindy Overton]

So on July 4, 2010, we almost sunk the boat in the lake because the waves were so high. And I was full nine months pregnant with WL and I'll never forget riding on that boat.

[Woody Overton]

All true.

[Cindy Overton]

WL Is that the day? I think that's also the day that you swam in a couple boats.

[Woody Overton]

When? The same day. Because that we were getting off the lake because the lake got bad and we had to go through the back way of Amy and the waves were coming over the back of the boat party barge. There was no hauling boats in that day. That was hauling ass to get away from the lightning.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay.

[Woody Overton]

All right. I'll tell you a couple things that this is kind of different and it's not really crime related, y', all, but it's 4th of July and I do love this holiday. So let me tell you what didn't happen on the 4th of July.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay?

[Woody Overton]

So they said one of the greatest misconceptions of the fourth of July lies in the name, in the date. It is widely believed that America declared their independence from Britain on July 4th of 1776. However, the official vote actually took place two days before. And the Declaration was just published in the papers on July 4th.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

So July 2nd, which is when we're actually recording this. Today is when it happened. Yeah, but you didn't know this. In 1958, a history teacher assigned the class assignment to redesign the national flag as both Alaska and Hawaii neared statehood. All right, so Robert G. Heft, who was 16 at the time, designed a new flag using the old 48 star flag and $2.87 worth blue cloth and white iron or material he designed. His design earned him a B minus.

[Cindy Overton]

What?

[Woody Overton]

To which he challenged by sending it to Washington D.C. to be considered by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. According to his obituary, Hef was one of thousands to submit a flag design. But he was the only person who actually stitched together a flag and shipped it to D.C. and his flag was selected and Heff's grave was rightfully changed 10A and his design became the official flag in 1960. That is cool.

[Cindy Overton]

That is so cool.

[Woody Overton]

And I'm a history buff to the umpteen. Now, one of my favorite things on the 4th of July. Know what it is? I love to watch. Now they've made it a sporting contest. The Nathan's Hot Dog.

[Cindy Overton]

I was thinking hot dogs. You threw me off before.

[Woody Overton]

It was sponsored by Nathan's. That. I'll tell you about it. According to the National Sausage and Hot Dog Council, or the nhdsc for you in the know, Americans are expected to eat 150 million hot dogs over the July 4th holiday. This is a part of an estimated 7 billion that are expected to be eaten during the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That's a lot of dogs. And I remember my buddy in the Army, Dale sales. He was 27 and I was 18. He had got laid off from the meat processing plant in Kansas. He was like, we were in yours and eating Lucky dogs drunk. He wouldn't eat one. He's like, if you knew when in a hot dog, you would not eat that. He said, I used to make them, but you know what we all see them for? Catfish bait. Yeah. So another misnomer is that there's actually something written on the back of the Declaration Independence. There is not. And there's no treasure map written invisible.

[Cindy Overton]

National treasure says exactly right.

[Woody Overton]

So the. All right. According to the History Channel, a simple message is written upside down across the bottom of the signed document that reads original Declaration of Independence dated 4th of July, 1776. That would be fake then, according to the story, because they said they signed it on July 2nd, but it wasn't.

[Cindy Overton]

It wasn't like of the.

[Woody Overton]

Maybe they turned it in according to the same article. No one knows. According to the same article, no one knows who wrote this or when. But it was believed to have been added as a label during the years of a revolutionary war when parchment was frequently rolled up for transport.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Interesting. All right, now I'll tell you about Richard Stockton, who's a lawyer from New Jersey. And he became the only signer of the Declaration Independence. To do what?

[Cindy Overton]

To invent something? I have no idea.

[Woody Overton]

No.

[Cindy Overton]

To die the next day?

[Woody Overton]

Nope.

[Cindy Overton]

To be murdered?

[Woody Overton]

Nope.

[Cindy Overton]

To become president?

[Woody Overton]

Nope. He definitely did not. You know what he did? He's the only person that signed the Declaration of Independence to back out like a little bitch.

[Cindy Overton]

He raced. He.

[Woody Overton]

He recanted his support of the revolution after being captured by the British in November 1776 and thrown in jail. After years of abusive treatment and his recanting of loyalties, he was released to find all of his property destroyed or stolen by the British. So.

[Cindy Overton]

So where's. Where's your loyalty going to be now?

[Woody Overton]

His library at the time, which was one of the finest in the colonies. And y' all remember books were written by hand back then.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

His library, one of the finest in the colonies, was burned to the ground.

[Cindy Overton]

That's horrible.

[Woody Overton]

That's kind of fits in on crime.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

And anyway, guess how old the average signer of the decoration independence was?

[Cindy Overton]

Like 28? 30?

[Woody Overton]

45.

[Cindy Overton]

Okay.

[Woody Overton]

Of the 56 signers.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Of the 56 signers, the youngest signers, Thomas Lynch Jr. And Edward Rutledge of South Carolina were only 26. However, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania was the oldest, and he was 70.

[Cindy Overton]

And he wrote the biggest, right? Or was it John Hancock that wrote the largest? Anyway, okay.

[Woody Overton]

John Hancock was the first to sign it. Okay, so the Declaration Independence was. Was written on a laptop. Not what now? Well, not a modern laptop, but still. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a writing desk that could fit over one's lap. And his device was referred to at the time as a laptop.

[Cindy Overton]

Oh, that's probably where we got the name Laptop.

[Woody Overton]

Yeah. So, told you about us needing to get some fireworks. They say men love fireworks. $1 billion worth. And according to the American Pyrotechnics Association, Americans spend more than 1 billion on fireworks each year. Out of this, only 10% of firework displays are set off professionally, which probably accounts for the estimated 12,900 firework related emergency room visits across the country. And I have been there. It wasn't Fourth of July, it was. It was New Year's and my best friend lost his eye. But according to Fortune magazine, of those injuries occurring between June and July, almost 70% are experienced by men. I did burn my hand on a sparkler when I was a kid and my mama did the wrong thing. What she do put butter on it. That actually makes it worse.

[Cindy Overton]

That was the old wives tale.

[Woody Overton]

I mean that's how it might have helped for a second, but later on I read that word, it made it worse. So fireworks date back tradition to Independence Day as early as the first anniversary in 1777. John Adams wrote in a letter to his wife Abigail that he wanted Independence Day to be celebrated with pop parade shows and illuminations. The original letter was written when Adams presumed that Independence Day would be celebrated on July 2nd. Oh, here we go. Back to the same thing again. Yeah, yeah, I'm just going to give you a couple more and then we're going to quit this episode. The so there was no official national census completed before 1790. And. But the U.S. census Bureau estimates there are only about two and a half million people living in America in 1776 when Declaration was signed.

[Cindy Overton]

That seems like that's a lot to me.

[Woody Overton]

No, Houston has 4 million.

[Cindy Overton]

I know, but at that time, that seems like a lot. I'm just saying it seems like a lot.

[Woody Overton]

Wearing Old Glory violates the U.S. flag code. Said all the people that you see wearing flag T shirts or have flag beach towels or shorts or headbands or any other thing with US Flag on it, you're in violation of a US Flag code. So we're bringing it back to. To crime again.

[Cindy Overton]

So our banner, like our pennant, the things that I put up, the. Those things, that's not like the flag.

[Woody Overton]

The US Flag Code states that you're in violation if you sell or display any article of merchandise upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached or otherwise place a representation of the flag in order to advertise, call attention to decorate, mark or distinguish the article or substance on which so place. Well, that being said, in this instance, the flag code is not enforced or even enforceable. So don't worry about it. You're not going to get arrested by the flag police.

[Cindy Overton]

I didn't think so.

[Woody Overton]

All right, think about after September 11th and the whole country was red, white, blue.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Two more, y'. All. So Thomas Jefferson was 82. John Adams was 90 when they died. They both died on July 4th.

[Cindy Overton]

Wow.

[Woody Overton]

1826. Within five hours of each other on the 50th anniversary of the sign and the Declaration of Independence. That's crazy.

[Cindy Overton]

That is crazy.

[Woody Overton]

That's crazy. So. And the last thing I'll tell y', all, July 4th was not made a federal holiday until 1870, nearly 100 years after this great nation was founded.

[Cindy Overton]

Wow.

[Woody Overton]

There you have it. Interesting, right?

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah, it's very interesting.

[Woody Overton]

And ended with crime. I'm sure all kinds of shit has happened since we recorded this. I hate it. And crime's always going to be there. I hate it. The we'll take her a little bite of crime at a time we can not in only and telling stories but in solving these cold cases. Hashtag Justice4series and Queens Digital marketing. Human sex trafficking. So many different types of crimes. We hate it for everyone and the victims families and everyone who goes through crime and all that crime sucks.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

And thank y' all for tuning in to True Crime Time 4. We appreciate it and love and appreciate each and every one of y'. All. Have A Happy, happy 4th of July. Stay safe.

[Cindy Overton]

Yes.

[Woody Overton]

Enjoy your peeps.

[Cindy Overton]

Yeah.

[Woody Overton]

Don't shoot each other, please. And I'm Woody Overton.

[Cindy Overton]

I'm Cindy Overton.

[Woody Overton]

We're the host of True Crime Time for this Thursday, July 3rd. And we'll holler at y' all later. Hey, we could get away with doing Fourth of July stuff because nobody's listening this week today anyway. We'll holler at y' all later. Peace.