Scams, Money, & Murder

Episode: Bank Robbery in a Leprechaun Costume

December 18, 2025 | Hosts: Vanessa Richardson & Carter Roy

Episode Overview

In this episode, Vanessa and Carter delve into two extraordinary bank robberies, separated by nearly two centuries but linked by audacity and desperation. The first story covers the bizarre 2010 Tennessee heist in which a man dressed as a leprechaun stormed a bank on St. Patrick’s Day, unraveling a tale of youthful privilege, dark secrets, and fatal consequences. The second case takes listeners back to 1831 Manhattan, as two ex-convicts pull off what is widely regarded as America’s first bank robbery, highlighting early criminal exploits and their lasting impact on security and detective work. Throughout, the hosts reflect on the real dangers and outcomes of such crimes—contrasting movie fantasy with tragic reality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Leprechaun Bank Robbery (Gallatin, Tennessee, 2010)

The Robbery (Starts at 04:09)

• On March 17, 2010, David Cotton, disguised in a full leprechaun costume, entered the First State Bank in Gallatin, Tennessee, brandished a gun, and demanded cash.
  • "He wore a fake beard, sunglasses and a top hat with a shamrock on it. ...But it was St Patrick's Day and this customer wasn't the only person in the Nashville area feeling festive." (Vanessa, 04:10)
• Bank employees complied; Cotton left with cash in a blue bag and jumped into a waiting silver Toyota Corolla, driven by friend Jonathan Ryan Skinner.
• Both young men were seen as unlikely criminals—privileged backgrounds, described as creative (David) and quiet (Jonathan).

Background and Prior Crimes (06:00–07:30)

• David’s history involved a high school burglary spree (schools, 2007), employing disguises and even reselling the loot on eBay.
• He made police parody sketches on YouTube (sometimes using a real firearm as a prop).
• In December 2009, David committed a similarly themed heist, robbing a Nashville bank dressed as Santa Claus: "He was upbeat and even joked that he needed the money for his elves." (Vanessa, 08:10)

The Getaway and Fatal Pursuit (15:25–17:50)

• After the heist, a witness followed and alerted police, triggering a high-profile car chase.
• David fired at pursuing officers from the getaway car, hitting a police cruiser.
• Eventually, the men abandoned the car and tried to flee on foot.
• In a dramatic standoff, David turned the gun on himself and died by suicide; Jonathan was shot and killed by police soon after.
  • "David still had his gun in hand when he apparently whispered something to Jonathan....out of nowhere, David turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger. Jonathan then tried to grab the gun himself, but he didn't get the chance. The police opened fire, killing him too." (Vanessa, 16:50)

Aftermath and Unanswered Questions (18:00–19:00)

• Authorities unraveled their involvement in both the Santa Claus and Leprechaun robberies after finding costumes and matching the firearm.
• Public reaction included unexpected sympathy for the pair; friends even created a Facebook memorial group to share positive memories.
• The pair’s ultimate motivations remain a mystery.
  • "Almost nothing is known about their motivation for the robbery, which is what makes it so confusing. We just have to live with the fact that it'll always stay a mystery...whatever their reasons were, it wasn't worth it." (Vanessa, 17:50)

2. America’s First Major Bank Heist (Manhattan, 1831)

The Heist (20:23–22:30)

• On March 20, 1831, James Honeyman (aka James Wynn/Edward Smith) and William Murray entered City Bank on Wall Street with homemade duplicate keys.
• They overcame seven locked doors and, after a tense moment being accidentally locked in, got away with $248,000—a staggering $52 million today.
  • "They shoved all they could into bags they brought... managed to take around $248,000. Today that'd be worth about $52 million." (Vanessa, 23:45)
• Both men were English ex-convicts, had escaped penal transport to Australia, and emigrated with families to Manhattan.

Escape, Investigation, and Capture (27:38–31:10)

• After dividing the loot, James hid his share in trunks at a boarding house; William kept his at home.
• Their luck unraveled when an accomplice who made the duplicate keys tipped off police, and their landlady grew suspicious after seeing them count cash.
• High Constable Jacob Hayes personally orchestrated the investigation, demonstrating the city’s pre-police era improvisational law enforcement.
  • "It was up to him to uphold the law in Manhattan." (Vanessa, 28:10)
• James was eventually arrested at his boarding house after officers found the stolen money hidden among his belongings; William fled to Philadelphia but was apprehended soon after.

Trial and Legacy (33:40–36:45)

• Both men received five years of hard labor at Sing Sing, the maximum penalty for grand larceny.
• A portion of the cash remained hidden until James’s brother-in-law attempted to exchange it, resulting in his own arrest but eventual immunity after confession.
• The heist prompted banking reforms, such as the widespread adoption of fireproof metal safes.
  • "The fireproof metal safe was introduced just three years later in 1834, and became a staple in the American banking system." (Vanessa, 36:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Strangeness of the 2010 Heist
  • "They seemed like nice, well adjusted kids....David was known for his sense of humor and creativity. ...But his gregarious personality was hiding something darker." (Vanessa, 05:00)
• On Motive and Tragedy
  • "Even though David had gotten in trouble in 2007 for burglarizing those schools, no one thought he was capable of something like this. Certainly no one guessed he would turn to violence in an attempt to make sense of it all." (Vanessa, 17:20)
• On the 1831 Law Enforcement Effort
  • "Without a formal police force to rely on, it was up to him [Jacob Hayes] to uphold the law in Manhattan." (Vanessa, 28:10)
• On the Futility of Bank Robbery
  • "Despite how it's portrayed in the movies, bank robberies aren't usually the work of quick witted criminal masterminds. ...for people like David Cotton and Jonathan Skinner, it may be a crime of impulse. ...but most of the time, robbing a bank just isn't worth it." (Vanessa, 37:30)
• On Lasting Impact
  • "...the extra security hasn't stopped would be bank robbers looking for a massive score. If anything, it's just made them even more desperate." (Vanessa, 36:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:09 – Start of the Leprechaun robbery case
• 06:00 – David Cotton’s background and prior crimes
• 08:10 – Santa suit bank robbery (December 2009)
• 15:25 – The 2010 St. Patrick’s Day heist, chase, and deaths
• 17:50 – Investigation and public reaction
• 20:23 – James Honeyman and William Murray’s 1831 bank robbery
• 23:45 – The elaborate break-in and theft details
• 27:38 – After the heist: hiding cash, triggers for suspicion
• 28:10 – Lawless Manhattan and Hayes’s detective work
• 33:40 – Trial, recovery of stolen money, and aftermath
• 36:45 – Banking reforms and reflections on crime’s futility
• 37:30 – Noteworthy analysis on motives and the reality of bank robbery

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the hosts’ signature conversational, analytical tone—balancing dry humor, empathy, and the intrigue of true crime storytelling.

Summary

By pulling together these outlandish and historic bank robberies, Vanessa and Carter underscore a recurring truth: the mythology of the “perfect heist” rarely aligns with reality. Whether driven by impulse, bravado, or circumstances, the would-be masterminds they profile end up victims of their own schemes—reminding listeners that, far from being glamorous or clever, most bank robbers face ruin and heartbreak. The hosts expertly blend narrative, fact, and reflection, making this episode both a cautionary tale and a fascinating journey into the darker corners of human ambition.