Podcast Summary: Small Town Murder – "Deadly Dark Delusions – Lashmeet, West Virginia"
Date: November 15, 2025
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode Overview
This episode of Small Town Murder takes listeners to Lashmeet, West Virginia, a tiny, isolated town bearing the scars of coal country decline. As always, comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman combine meticulously researched true crime storytelling with their signature comedic commentary. The focal tragedy: the killing of Michael Walker by Monica Suzette Hartwell, a case entwined with profound mental illness, interpersonal dysfunction, and the complications that arise when small-town law enforcement meets big, messy problems.
Small Town Deep Dive: Life in Lashmeet, WV
- Population & Location: Lashmeet is an extremely small town in southern West Virginia (population 599), part of coal-mining Mercer County.
- James: "The whole county has like 11,000 people in it. It’s crazy. This place is very small." [03:48]
- Economy & Demographics: Median household income is about $40k and houses cost a mere $65k.
- Local Culture: James and Jimmie riff on the lack of attractions—other than churches and gas stations—and the critical importance of the annual Mercer County Fair, livestock competitions, pageants, and community quirks.
- James: "If you look up things to do when, you know, the Exxon station pops up, you’re in a really boring house." [07:40]
- Jimmie: "Love judge each other’s looks." (re: local pageant culture) [09:57]
- Notable Moment: Jimmie pokes fun at the “antique competitions” and elaborate livestock pageants, with gentle ribbing at small-town pastimes.
Introducing Monica Suzette Hartwell
Early Life & Family
- Background: Monica was born in 1968 and grew up entrenched in local traditions—the school chorus, pageants, and farm life. Despite small-town glitz, her youth involved gritty chores like hauling water from the Bluestone River.
- James: "She had a very rural upbringing. Like bringing water up from ... you know, shit like that." [18:29]
- Pageant Participation: Ranked "4th runner-up" in the local high school beauty contest out of 54 contestants. [17:47]
Struggles with Mental Illness
- From her teens, Monica suffered debilitating, poorly-understood episodes rendering her blind/confused; later diagnosed as “pretty severe bipolar disorder” and other conditions.
- She spent time in psychiatric institutions; episodes of both achievement and unraveling.
- James: "She seems to go through periods of achievement and lucidity and then will deteriorate, ... be institutionalized, then come out and be okay again." [23:05]
Adult Life
- Monica married and divorced at least three times by age 35, with her marital and family history recounted in detail.
- Daughter Ashley follows in her footsteps—early marriage, cosmetology school, and "having it together enough to put in a thing at the newspaper for an announcement." [27:03]
Setting the Stage: Monica, Michael, and Brian
- Relationships: By 2020, Monica lived in a trailer with her boyfriend Michael Walker (who had unspecified but serious mental health issues) and ex-husband Brian Smith. Both Monica and Michael were known for severe psychiatric conditions and recurring hospitalizations.
- James: "He is hospitalized, quote, several times a year... to readjust his medication and 'get his head straight', as he puts it." [34:49]
- Living Situation: All three, along with colorful neighbors Craig Young and Teresa Horne, occupied a string of modest homes—described as less than 700 square feet for the trio.
- James: "They're living in like a small trailer... They're sharing 700 square feet, probably, these people." [37:33]
The Crime: July 26, 2020
Escalating Chaos
- Day of the Incident: Monica and Michael started drinking early, and Michael spent the afternoon loudly proclaiming himself to be Jesus or God—alarming neighbors and housemates alike.
- James: "He is claiming to be, variously, different times, either God or Jesus." [38:27]
- Neighbors (Craig & Teresa) try to ignore the noise as they do woodworking nearby.
- Monica tries to apologize for Michael's behavior:
- Monica (reported): "I'm real sorry about what's going on over here... I'm going to, quote, get this neighborhood back to normal soon." [42:15]
The Shooting
- Monica, after threatening to kill Michael and accusing him of being “demon possessed,” shot him with a .410 single-shot shotgun on the front porch.
- Quote (as told by ex-husband Brian): "He’s demon possessed. County be a better place. I’m going to shoot him." [49:19]
- Brian, in the backyard, hears the shot, sees Michael's body, and yells for help; neighbors call 911.
- James: "He said he was just getting some sun, he heard the shot and he said he couldn’t see the front door because of the foliage. So he ran out and he saw that Walker had been shot." [49:59]
- Monica re-enters the house and sits quietly on the couch until police arrive.
- Jimmie: "Just sitting there watching TV." [46:36]
- James: "There she is sitting on the couch, calm as can be." [46:53]
Investigation & Trial
Evidence Questions
- The Gun: Monica, handcuffed and not yet Mirandized, tells police the gun is "on the couch." [49:15]
- Physical Evidence Issues:
- No blood spatter or gunshot residue on Monica’s hands or clothes, despite the shooting taking place at close range (<2 feet).
- James: "She did not have any gunshot residue on her hands either. So she can shoot someone from two feet away without getting any blood or gunshot residue on her, which is pretty impressive." [59:31]
- Ex-husband Brian, however, had gunshot residue on his hands.
- James: "the only person on the property...with gunshot residue on their hands during a test was Brian, the ex husband." [60:33]
- No witnesses saw Monica pull the trigger, only heard threats and then a shot.
- Monica had a history of threatening language, including labeling Michael “a demon from hell.”
- No blood spatter or gunshot residue on Monica’s hands or clothes, despite the shooting taking place at close range (<2 feet).
Competency and Legal Proceedings
- Both prosecution and defense agree Monica’s competency to stand trial is borderline and needs further evaluation.
- James: "Monica was currently competent to stand or he did not think she was currently competent to stand trial. That's the prosecutor." [52:43]
- Monica attempts suicide in jail.
- Trial evidence focuses on Monica’s statements and circumstantial evidence. The defense points to the lack of physical evidence tying Monica directly to the crime and suggests Brian Smith (ex-husband) as an alternate suspect.
- James: "There's no credible witnesses, no fingerprints on the shotgun. No blood...no gunshot residue." [64:01]
Notable Court Exchanges & Quotes
- James as defense query: "Did you shoot Michael Walker?"
Brian: "I did not shoot Michael Walker. No, not the shooter." [62:04] - James as prosecution: "Brian Smith must be Superman." [64:44]
- Jimmie: “She is begging to be let out of jail because she also doesn’t remember.” [68:04]
Verdict & Sentencing
- After less than an hour of deliberation, Monica is convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison (with 2 years’ time served). She is eligible for parole in 2030; projected release in 2040.
- James: "You ma'am, may fuck off. 40 years in prison." [69:08]
- Judge recommends maximum psychiatric care; Monica laments mental health services failed both herself and the victim.
- James: "She still does not remember what happened the day that he was shot." [67:34]
- Judge: "I haven't heard any reason why this man was killed. None other than he was fucking annoying and he was spouting." [68:32]
Appeal
- Defense argues Monica’s gun location statement to police should be suppressed as she was not Mirandized; the court upholds the conviction, citing public safety needs.
Hosts’ Closing Thoughts & Tone
- Both James and Jimmie express skepticism at the thoroughness of the investigation and justice of the outcome. They highlight the sensational yet tragic nature of the case, ultimately feeling bad for all involved—especially given the lack of direct evidence and Monica’s profound mental struggles.
- James: "Who knows? I don’t trust this investigation one fucking bit… I don’t trust much of this story, to be honest with you." [76:21]
- Jimmie: "Crazy lady so crazy she doesn’t even remember." [76:18]
- James: "I feel bad for everybody here because I don’t think anybody could help with anything that went on today…" [68:10]
Important Timestamps
| Time | Segment | |----------|------------------------------------------| | 03:48 | Intro to Lashmeet, local color | | 13:29 | Monica’s background and pageant scene | | 20:17 | Chronic illness, worsening mental health | | 34:32 | Relationship dysfunction exposition | | 39:34 | The day of the shooting unfolds | | 42:09 | Monica’s apology to neighbors | | 46:36 | Discovery of the body, Monica at home | | 49:19 | “He’s demon possessed” evidence | | 59:31 | Physical/gunshot evidence scrutiny | | 62:04 | Trial exchanges | | 64:44 | Prosecution closing remarks | | 68:04 | Monica’s statement; sentencing | | 76:21 | Hosts’ skeptical wrap-up |
Notable Quotes
- "He is claiming to be, variously, different times, either God or Jesus." – James [38:27]
- "[Monica] did not have any gunshot residue on her hands either…which is pretty impressive." – James [59:31]
- "Brian Smith must be Superman." – Prosecutor parody by James [64:44]
- "I feel bad for everybody here because I don't think anybody could help with anything that went on today..." – James [68:10]
Conclusion
This episode deftly combines the bleak realities of rural decline, mental illness, and dubious small-town justice with the hosts’ irreverent, empathetic humor. They leave the audience with questions about fairness, blame, and whether a system plagued by under-resourced mental health care can truly serve justice.
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