Real Life Real Crime

True Crime Time for September 29, 2025

Hosts: Woody Overton & Cindy Overton
Theme: Police Misconduct, Wrongful Conviction, and the Death Penalty

Overview

In this episode of "True Crime Time For," Woody and Cindy Overton take listeners through a riveting slate of recent true crime stories in the US, focusing on cases involving police misconduct, wrongful convictions, and the death penalty. The hosts mix detailed case analysis, candid opinions, grim humor, and heartfelt advocacy for justice reforms. Woody’s law enforcement background and Cindy’s empathetic reactions provide a unique, balanced dynamic as they confront both the best and worst facets of the criminal justice system.

Key Discussion Points & Cases

1. Pregnant Woman Hit-and-Run in Houston

[03:45-05:24]

• Story: A pregnant woman and her fiancé, while crossing legally at a crosswalk in Houston, are struck by a Land Rover whose driver flees the scene.
• Police Response: Authorities review camera footage but can’t identify the vehicle or driver; they appeal to the public for help.
• Woody’s Take: Comments on hitting victims so hard their shoes fly off—an observation from his years of law enforcement (“Normally when people get hit, the first thing they lose is their shoes.” - Woody, [05:24]).
• Cindy’s Reaction: Expresses disbelief and frustration at the driver's callousness.

2. Police Brutality Lawsuit Following Epileptic Seizure – North Carolina

[06:06–15:47]

• Details: Thomas Simmons sues NC State Trooper Sgt. Ashley Smith for excessive force and disability discrimination after Smith punched and dragged him during a seizure-induced crash.
  • Witnesses told the trooper that Simmons was having a seizure.
  • Despite knowing this, the trooper punched Simmons in the face, dragged him, and charged him with assaulting an officer.
  • Blood tests disproved drug use (no meth), and criminal charges were eventually dropped after Simmons refused to waive his right to sue.
• Legal Reflection: Woody highlights law enforcement training and the improper use of closed-fist punches (“They never teach you to punch more. Close fist. …But in my time, I don’t think anywhere in there you were taught to punch anybody in the face with a closed fist. Not saying I didn’t do it…” - Woody, [13:55]).
• Systemic Critique: The hosts discuss both the injustice done and policy on driving for those with seizure disorders.
• Memorable Quote: “You get hit hard enough to get knocked out of your shoes. Pretty much. Not gonna make it.” – Woody, [05:32]

3. High-Tech Murder – GPS Tracking Hitman, South Carolina

[18:15–20:07]

• Case Summary: A hitman, hired for murder, tracked his target for days using a GPS device, then killed him at point-blank range. Convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
• Open Questions: No info on who hired the hitman; Woody intrigued by the story, noting he’s used GPS in investigations (“Can’t say I’ve never done that.” - Woody, [19:08]) but obviously not for murder.
• Victim: A father-to-be, adding to the gravity of the crime.

4. Wrongful Conviction and $25 million Settlement – Maurice Hastings, California

[20:12–28:43]

• Background: Maurice Hastings spent 38 years in prison for rape and murder after being wrongfully convicted.
  • DNA evidence exonerated him in 2022.
  • The real perpetrator, Kenneth PacNet, had a history of violence and was posthumously identified.
  • Authorities ignored exculpatory evidence for decades; detectives allegedly fabricated evidence.
• Legal Aftermath: Largest state settlement for such a conviction ($25 million).
• Woody’s View: Outraged over police tunnel vision and fabricating evidence (“What happened in this case represents policing at its absolute worst…” - reading attorney statement, [27:00]).
• Cindy’s Response: Expresses disbelief, questions detectives’ motivations ([27:39]).
• Justice System Reflection: The case illustrates why robust appeals and checks on police power are crucial.

5. Extreme Overreaction – Threats Over Unplugged Laptop

[29:00–30:20]

• Incident: Man becomes enraged and threatens to kill a woman after she unplugs his laptop.
• Resolution: He’s arrested for threats/attempted assault.
• The Take: Brief commentary, mostly noting escalation and emotional disturbance.

6. Death Penalty in Alabama – Execution of Jeffrey Todd West

[30:37–45:45]

• Case: Jeffrey West executed via nitrogen gas for a 1997 murder during a robbery, despite forgiveness from the victim’s son, who opposed the execution.
• Execution Process: Described in detail, from mask adjustment to final moments and spiritual advisor’s presence.
• Final Statement: West’s written apology and appeal to faith, read posthumously (“I am sorry. I have apologized privately to the family… am humbled by the forgiveness her son Will has extended… I am at peace because I know where I’m going…” - Jeffrey West, [33:30]).
• Family’s Position: Victim’s son opposed capital punishment, wanted to meet West in person, reflecting deep personal forgiveness.
• Woody’s Perspective: Support for death penalty in cases of clear, heinous guilt; appreciation for lengthy appeals process to minimize wrongful executions ([40:30]).
• Systemic Cons: The show plays an audio montage highlighting concerns about wrongful executions, racial imbalance, and inefficacy of capital punishment ([37:18–40:30]).
  • “For every 8.3 people executed, one has been exonerated due to wrongful conviction…” – Death Penalty Advocate, [37:18]
  • “Research has never proven a clear link between [the death penalty and deterrence of crime]…” – Death Penalty Advocate, [38:05]
• Debate: Woody disputes the notion of grand conspiracies but agrees wrongful convictions must be addressed; Cindy underscores broader societal loss of trust in law enforcement.

7. Societal Debate: Race, Justice, and Reform

[42:24–45:46]

• Demographics: The overrepresentation of Black inmates on death row, discussed through experience (“If there’s a hundred inmates on the cell block, it’d be 98% African American.” – Woody, [45:06]).
• Systemic Reflection: Both hosts display empathy but assert: wrongful conviction demands justice, regardless of race.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Normally when people get hit, the first thing they lose is their shoes.”
  • Woody, [05:32]
• “They never teach you to punch more. Close fist. …But in my time… you were never taught to punch anybody in the face with a closed fist. Not saying I didn’t do it.”
  • Woody, [13:55]
• “What happened in this case represents policing at its absolute worst.”
  • Statement read by Woody (referring to Maurice Hastings' case), [27:00]
• “For every 8.3 people that are executed, one person on death row has been exonerated because of a wrongful conviction.”
  • Death penalty segment, [37:18]
• “If you’ve seen the shit that I’ve seen, evil is real.”
  • Woody, [42:08]
• Cindy: “I wouldn’t trust a word they would tell me unless I see… You know what I mean?”
  • Cindy, [42:54]
• “If they locked up [someone] incorrectly, I want them out. White, black, purple people eater or whatever.”
  • Woody, [45:34]

Episode Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:45] Houston pregnant woman hit-and-run
• [06:06] North Carolina police misconduct (epileptic seizure case)
• [18:15] South Carolina GPS hitman murder case
• [20:12] Maurice Hastings wrongful conviction
• [29:00] Emotional disturbance murder threat over unplugged laptop
• [30:37] Alabama execution and capital punishment debate
• [37:18] Audio segment: Death penalty critique and stats
• [42:24] Racial disparities and societal trust commentary

Summary & Tone

Woody and Cindy take listeners on a tense and emotional ride through recent and historic injustices, reckless violence, and the ongoing death penalty debate. Woody’s direct style often lands on gallows humor and hard truths, while Cindy displays deep emotional resonance, especially when discussing innocent people suffering under faulty justice. The episode’s overall tone balances dark reality with calls for reflection, ultimately pleading for fairness and humanity in criminal justice, regardless of personal opinions on punishment.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about true crime, police reform, or understanding America’s complex relationship with punishment and mercy.