Small Town Murder - Episode #544: Moronic Murderers - Washington Boro, Pennsylvania

Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman

Introduction to Washington Borough

In this episode of Small Town Murder, hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman delve into the tragic and perplexing case of Barbara Jean Fry's murder in Washington Borough, Pennsylvania. Situated in southeastern Pennsylvania, Washington Borough is a diminutive community with a population of just 729 residents. The town boasts a high median household income of $108,438, juxtaposed with relatively low median home prices of approximately $241,200.

James Pietragallo [06:37]:

"Our last Pennsylvania episode, the Serial Killing Nerd, which had them thinking that Dungeons and Dragons was a big part of the murder and all that kind of thing. And it was kind of a wild episode here."

The Fry Family Background

The story centers around Rod (Roderick Herman Fry) and Barbara Jean Fry. Rod, born in 1937, worked as a delivery man for Turkey Hill, a prominent dairy company, while Barbara managed the Turkey Hill Minute Market in Wrightsville, earning accolades such as the Turkey Hill Manager of the Year in 1974 and 1978 for her exceptional performance.

James Pietragallo [16:15]:

"She is twice selected as Turkey Hill manager of the year. By the way."

The couple had twin sons, Wendell and Wesley, born in 1960. Tragedy struck when their youngest son, Wesley, died in a single-car crash on Route 441 in 1977.

Marital Struggles and Divorced Separation

Following their son's death, marital strains intensified. By 1978, Rod and Barbara were facing serious marital issues, exacerbated by Rod's infidelities. Although Barbara filed for divorce, the proceedings were eventually dropped, leading to their separation on November 4, 1979.

Jimmie Whisman [19:29]:

"Losing a twin is even more uncommon."

The Night of the Murder

On the night of November 7, 1979, Barbara left for work at 4:30 AM, arriving earlier than usual. However, she failed to arrive, prompting her son Wesley to report her missing by 8:52 AM after exhaustive calls to hospitals yielded no results.

James Pietragallo [22:50]:

"She must be dead."

Discovery of the Body

At approximately 4:20 PM, Roy R. Nissley, a local farmer, discovered Barbara's car submerged in a cornfield, with signs of a violent struggle. The autopsy revealed that Barbara died from a single gunshot wound that severed a major blood vessel from her heart. Disturbingly, she also suffered blunt force injuries, large lacerations on her face and head, and human bite marks, suggesting a fierce fight for survival.

James Pietragallo [27:41]:

"They said a single gunshot wound... but there are other injuries as well."

Investigation and Suspicions

Initially, Rod Fry, although recently separated, was not considered a suspect. However, inconsistencies arose when Rod attempted to explain the missing $5,000 payment Barbara had given him, purportedly for covering expenses. Investigators soon linked Rod to Charles D. Ziering, a 22-year-old private investigator with a troubling background in exotic weaponry and anarchist literature.

James Pietragallo [51:08]:

"Charlie suggested to Rod about three months before the murder—'Maybe the solution to your wife problem is to kill her.'"

The Conspiracy Unveiled

Rod had approached Ziering, seeking to dissolve his marriage, which led to the hiring of Ziering and his accomplice, Richard Heberlig, to stage a car accident as a cover for Barbara's murder. The plan was to knock Barbara unconscious and leave her car in the cornfield to appear as though she had been involved in an accident. However, the plan went disastrously wrong when Barbara fought back, resulting in her severe injuries and death.

James Pietragallo [50:35]:

"She was fighting off two grown men on her own."

Arrests and Trial

Two days post-murder, Rod Fry was arrested alongside Ziering and Heberlig, charged with murder and conspiracy. During the trial, evidence such as Ziering's ledger detailing payments and the discovery of exotic weaponry linked the trio to the crime. Rod claimed he acted under duress, stating that Ziering had threatened him and coerced him into the murder plot.

James Pietragallo [63:58]:

"They called him a cold-blooded contract killer... purely for money, not for hate or passion."

Despite the defense's arguments of duress, the jury found Rod Fry guilty of first-degree murder after six hours of deliberation.

Sentencing and Aftermath

Rod Fry was sentenced to death by electric chair, a punishment not carried out in Pennsylvania since 1960. His co-defendants, Ziering and Heberlig, received life sentences. However, in 1997, Rod's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole following appeals based on the constitutionality of the death penalty and equitable sentencing compared to his accomplices.

Barbara Jean Fry was laid to rest at the Masonville Mennonite Cemetery, leaving behind a community still grappling with the mystery and brutality of her murder.

James Pietragallo [73:02]:

"They ended up finding out what happened because everybody, everybody spills the beer, which is also hilarious."

Conclusion

The Moronic Murderers episode highlights the tragic downfall of a seemingly ordinary family entwined in a convoluted plot driven by desperation and coercion. Washington Borough, Pennsylvania, remains a testament to how small-town secrets can lead to unimaginable tragedies.

Notable Quotes:

• James Pietragallo [06:37]:

  "This town is very small, population 729, okay? Tiny town."

• Jimmie Whisman [19:29]:

  "Losing a twin is even more uncommon."

• James Pietragallo [27:41]:

  "They said a single gunshot wound... but there are other injuries as well."

• James Pietragallo [63:58]:

  "They called him a cold-blooded contract killer... purely for money, not for hate or passion."

• James Pietragallo [73:02]:

  "They ended up finding out what happened because everybody, everybody spills the beer, which is also hilarious."

This summary captures the key points and discussions from Episode #544, providing an in-depth look into the complexities and horrors surrounding the Barbara Fry murder case in Washington Borough, Pennsylvania.