Podcast Summary
Small Town Murder | Serial Killer Search - Poteau, Oklahoma
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Overview
This episode of Small Town Murder delves into a gruesome crime spree that rocked the small town of Poteau, Oklahoma, in 1984. The hosts, James and Jimmie, combine copious research, sharp wit, and their signature comedic banter to explore the tragic story of Gary Allen Walker—a man with a deeply troubled upbringing whose horrifying crimes led to a multi-state murder investigation. The episode navigates everything from small-town reviews and balloon festivals to one of Oklahoma’s most disturbing serial killer cases, ending with reflections on justice, the mental health system, and the legacy of Walker’s violence.
Important Timestamps
- 05:03 - Show disclaimer and core philosophy
- 19:31 - Overview of crime rates in Poteau, Oklahoma
- 20:25 - Start of the murder case: Discovery of Eddie Cash’s body
- 43:09 - Introduction of perpetrator: Gary Allen Walker’s background
- 73:40 - Walker’s confession details begin
- 114:24 - Arrest and aftermath
- 124:00 - Trial, defense, and subsequent convictions
- 173:58 - Execution and episode wrap-up
Key Discussion Points
1. Setting the Scene: Poteau, Oklahoma
- The episode kicks off with a comedic dive into Poteau’s local history, odd town reviews, and quirky real estate listings.
- James & Jimmie highlight the town’s high property and violent crime rates which set the stage for the brutal events to come.
“Crime rate in this town ... is almost three times the national average. Property crime is almost three times the national average. ... There isn’t even 9,000 people here. It’s crazy.”
— James Pietragallo (19:31)
2. The First Crime: Eddie Cash
- May 8, 1984: Priscilla Crane, after failed attempts to reach her father (Eddie Cash), visits his home and finds a bloodbath.
- Eddie had been beaten to death with a brick and strangled with a vacuum cleaner cord. His shoes and van were stolen.
- There was no forced entry and Eddie was known for helping strangers (including picking up hitchhikers).
3. The Crime Spree: Multiple Victims
- 37-year-old Margaret Ann Bell Lydick disappears after encountering a stranger at Henry’s Bar.
- Over the next few weeks, several more women (Jane K. Hilburn, Janet D. Jewell, and Valerie Shaw Hartzell—a local media personality) go missing or are found murdered, pointing to a serial spree.
- The killer’s method includes abduction, rape, strangulation, and dumping bodies across state lines.
- The hosts emphasize the randomness and barbarity:
“He would just pick up people and, you never knew what he was gonna do ... It might be the most brutal, crazy rape and murder. It might be, ‘You give me a ride, then I give you gas money and leave.’”
— James Pietragallo (105:14)
4. Investigation Breakthrough
- The major break: a pawned anti-theft “club” from Valerie’s vehicle, registered to her and pawned by Gary Walker using his real name and ID.
- Walker’s fingerprints are found across multiple crime scenes and vehicles.
- Story of law enforcement collaboration—and historical failures—in tracking serial criminals across state/jurisdiction lines.
5. Profiling Gary Allen Walker
- In-depth examination of his traumatic childhood: severe physical abuse, sexual molestation by his mother, stays in psychiatric institutions, and repeated brushes with the law.
- Diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, and subjected to electroconvulsive therapy.
- History of criminal behavior but no prior murder convictions until the spree.
- Hosts’ commentary reflects on the “monster recipe” shaping Walker’s psyche.
“This makes a monster... If you wanted to make monster soup, this is what you would put in the pot. ... Not an excuse ... but you gotta fix it.”
— James Pietragallo (50:47, 127:44)
6. Walker’s Confession and Motives
- Upon arrest, Walker gives a full, chilling confession—detailing his crimes and often expressing confusion as to his own motives.
- The randomness of his choices; at times, he lets victims go if they are “nice,” at others, he commits heinous acts for trivial reasons.
- Memorable quote:
“I know right from wrong, but I don’t know why I killed all these people. Let me tell you what happened, okay?”
— Gary Walker (73:53)
- He admits to killing, raping, kidnapping, and robbing multiple victims, often in horrifying detail and with an eerie lack of remorse.
- In some cases, he mutilates and dumps bodies, then returns with authorities to point out their locations.
7. Legal Proceedings and Appeals
- Multiple convictions for murder, rape, kidnapping, etc., resulting in a death sentence, several life sentences without parole, and hundreds of additional years.
- Defense efforts focus on his mental illness and insanity; prosecution leans on the brutality, premeditation, and confession tapes.
- Legal twisting: at one point, a conviction is overturned due to violation of Walker’s right to counsel; he is retried and again found guilty.
- Discussion of the challenges in the mental health system and the limits of criminal justice in predicting/containing potential future offenders.
8. Execution and Aftermath
- Walker’s final meal: three cheeseburgers, sliced tomatoes with extra salt, French fries, and a strawberry malt.
- His last words, expressing regret and asking the victims’ families to let go of their hate with his passing:
“I hope that when I go that the hate that you have ... that you would let that go with me.”
— Gary Walker, final statement (176:33)
- Executed by lethal injection, January 13, 2000.
- Despite the scale of the crimes, Walker remains relatively unknown in true crime history, a fact the hosts remark on in closing.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Because we’re assholes, but we’re not scumbags.” — James, on why they never make fun of the victims (05:04)
- “He whipped me so long I couldn’t scream no more and I couldn’t get up.” — Walker, on his stepfather’s abuse (47:35)
- “Put a little love in your life, what are we talking about?” — James, sarcastically replying to a friend’s notion Walker just needed love (128:18)
- “I just want to plead guilty when they take me to be arraigned. I just wanna plead guilty. I don’t care, just as long as they don’t kill me.” — Walker, after his arrest (119:42)
- “You sir, may fuck off...death penalty.” — James, summing up the sentencing (136:28)
Tone & Style
James and Jimmie expertly balance the grim reality of Walker’s crimes with their brutal, irreverent comedy. Their tone remains respectful to the victims and their families while injecting darkly funny commentary on the absurdity of the justice system, mental health institutions, and small-town quirks. The episode’s narrative pacing allows for deep dives into psychological and legal context as well as the hosts’ trademark asides and riffs.
Final Thoughts
This episode stands out for its careful research, thorough timeline, and frank exploration of both systemic failure and evil. The story of Gary Allen Walker is presented as a cautionary tale about the limits of diagnosis, the unpredictability of violence, and the sobering reality that sometimes, monsters are indeed made—not born.
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