Small Town Murder Podcast Summary

Episode: "The Art of Murder – Talladega, Alabama"

Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Date: September 4, 2025

Overview

In this episode, comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman dig into the terrifying case of serial killer Daniel Siebert (alias “Daniel Spence”) who left a trail of death across several states, including a particularly chilling murder spree in Talladega, Alabama. Known for their blend of exhaustive research and dark humor, the hosts explore: the small-town context, the murders themselves, the psychology and background of the killer, police missteps, and bizarre aftermath including the sale of the killer’s prison artwork. The story involves the murder of multiple women and children in Talladega and unravels a nationwide manhunt for a man hiding in plain sight.

Major Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setting the Scene: Talladega, Alabama

[06:00 – 18:40]

• Town Profile: Famous for its NASCAR racetrack and the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind (AIDB), Talladega is painted as a place with a struggling economic profile, high property and violent crime rates, and a close-knit, if challenged, community.
• "Talladega Curse": Hosts joke about the speedway’s alleged supernatural curse (Bobby Isaac incident) and local quirks.
• Local Flavor: They riff on town festivals (like the Bluegrass and Fingerstyle Guitar Festival), real estate bargains, and quirks about religious demographics.

Quote:
"Talladega's where you go if you want the whole town to know sign language and you want a cheap house... but keep your doors locked during race weekend."
– James Pietragallo [10:31]

2. Introduction of the Killer

[18:43 – 54:18]

• Donald Hendren’s Journey: Artist Hendren picks up hitchhiker "Daniel Spence" in Arizona, who appears talented and harmless, and offers him work at the AIDB in Talladega.
• “Daniel Spence” Arrives: Spence charms the community and quickly becomes involved with AIDB students, notably Sherry Weathers.
• Red Flags: Staff-student relationships at the institute were strictly forbidden; as things get romantic, Hendren distances himself.

Quote:
"If you’re picking up hitchhikers in the ‘80s, you’re already rolling those dice... but then to offer them a job at the deaf school, well, that’s just jackpot or disaster."
– Jimmie Whisman [22:04]

3. The Murders

[54:19 – 1:09:43]

• Timeline:
  • Spence is last seen with Sherry Weathers, her neighbor Linda Jarman, and Linda Faye Odom (his other romantic interest).
  • Within the span of a few days, Sherry, her two young sons (Chad, 5, and Joey, 4), and Linda Jarman are found strangled and positioned in horrifying poses—Sherry and her sons in a cross formation.
  • Linda Odom goes missing; her body is discovered later in a cemetery.
• Chilling Details:
  • Kids are awoken and killed after witnessing their dead mother.
  • Spence/Seibert uses both the murdered women’s cars and the murdered children’s identities while fleeing across the country.

Quote:
"He woke the kids up. Coulda left ‘em asleep. Could have just left them alone. But no, had to look those kids in the eyes and... That’s monstrous."
– James Pietragallo [106:26]

4. Police Investigation and National Manhunt

[1:09:44 – 1:38:39]

• Misidentification: Police initially think "Daniel Spence" is a legitimate person until fingerprints reveal his real identity as Daniel Siebert, a fugitive and previously convicted killer.
• Police Fumbles:
  • Siebert uses social security cards of his child victims to post bail and repeatedly evades capture due to police oversight.
  • He almost escapes detection several times due to poor cross-state communication.
• Multi-State Crime Atlas:
  • Siebert is found with an atlas marked with places he killed (circled "X"s) and robbed ("X"s).
• Final Capture:
  • After months on the run, Siebert is caught in Tennessee in spectacular fashion—on the toilet at a convenience store.

Quote:
"Clerk silently points to the restroom. Six officers burst in... He’s sitting on the stall and says, 'How’d y’all find me?' Well, that’s a long story, Danny; there’ll be a podcast in 40 years all about it."
– James Pietragallo [99:38]

5. Psychological Profile & Background

[1:38:40 – 1:53:28]

• Childhood Abuse:
  • Siebert endured extreme sexual and physical abuse from his father, as well as severe neglect.
• Antisocial Behavior:
  • He developed early criminal tendencies, substance abuse (PCP), and ran away constantly.
• Manipulation and Sexual Shape-shifting:
  • The hosts detail how Siebert would manipulate his sexuality to his advantage, describing him as a “shapeshifter” with no real attachments to people of any gender.
• No Remorse:
  • Siebert displays a chilling lack of remorse or emotional connection, described by experts as ticking every box for psychopathy.

Quote:
"If you didn’t know what kind of monster he was, you could actually like him... That was his mask—he was a shapeshifter."
– Detective Jacks, as quoted by James [118:21]

6. The Confessions and Legal Proceedings

[1:53:29 – 2:33:15]

• Open Confessions:
  • Siebert confesses in detail, matter-of-factly, to the murders of women and children, including chilling monologues about killing the Weathers children because “they wouldn’t amount to anything.”
• Multiple Trials:
  • He is convicted and sentenced to death twice in Alabama for the murders of Linda Jarman and the Weathers family, with additional guilty pleas and confessions in other states.
• Appeals:
  • Numerous appeals on technicalities, police procedures, and mental illness—all denied.
• Victims’ Families:
  • The relatives of the victims form a support group, attending each other’s trials and advocating for victims’ rights.

Quote:
"They didn’t have anything to say... and I don’t have anything to say."
– Daniel Siebert [1:09:06]

7. Aftermath: Death, Artistic Infamy & Legacy

[2:33:16 – 2:51:53]

• Death:
  • After multiple execution stays (with the state battling appeals about execution protocols vs. Siebert’s failing health), Siebert dies in prison from pancreatic cancer before his scheduled execution.
• Prison Artwork:
  • While on death row, Siebert produces and sells disturbing, sexually explicit artwork via pen pals and websites, sparking outrage from victims’ advocates.
• Cultural Reflection:
  • The hosts reflect on the enabling aspects of small-town trust, the dangers of lacking proper background checks, and how predators exploit good intentions.

Quotes:
"Serial killers need love too—it’s him drinking ‘Killer Beer’ with a giant naked goddess behind him and a scythe. He’d be great at skateboard graphics."
– James Pietragallo, describing Siebert’s art [162:33]

"How do you get to profit and get attention from your drawings when you did this? "
– Victims’ advocate Esther Brown [153:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Setting the Scene / Talladega Town Profile | 06:00 – 18:40 | | Siebert's Arrival and Community Involvement | 18:43 – 54:18 | | The Murders and Discovery | 54:19 – 1:09:43 | | Police Investigation / Nationwide Manhunt | 1:09:44 – 1:38:39 | | Psychological Profile & Backstory | 1:38:40 – 1:53:28 | | Confession, Trials, and Appeals | 1:53:29 – 2:33:15 | | Aftermath, Execution & Art Commerce | 2:33:16 – 2:51:53 |

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Town’s Curse:
  "Not just a tight track, it’s a curse. There’s a whole circuit of fingering we didn’t know about."
  – James & Jimmie [15:31]

• On Siebert's Manipulation:
  "He knew how to mirror behavior. He studied people like you would study how to hunt animals."
  – Dr. Yardley (profiled by the hosts) [121:24]

• Reactions to Confession:
  "If there’s anything more heartless, more depraved than that remark, I’ve yet to hear it."
  – Criminologist reacting to “they didn’t have anything to say” [109:23]

• On Prison Art:
  "He’s selling commission pencil sketches of bondage and orgies, so we know the system works, folks!"
  – James Pietragallo [153:21]

Tone and Style

• The hosts maintain their signature dark, irreverent, but empathetic comedic style—using levity to cope with heavy material.
• They are adamant about never making fun of the victims, only the killer, police blunders, and small-town oddities.

Engagement & Utility for Non-Listeners

This episode is a deep-dive into one of the more horrifying and lesser-known serial killer cases in the American South. It seamlessly combines interpersonal drama, crime investigation, and macabre comedy, while providing historical, psychological, and critical context. The inclusion of victims’ perspectives, law enforcement challenges, and the disturbing economics of “murderabilia” (like Siebert’s art) gives the episode added depth. Listeners gain not only a case narrative but also a meditation on vulnerability, trauma, and the fallibility of small-town safety nets.

Recommended for true crime fans who appreciate context, critical humor, and a focus on both crime and community impact.