Small Town Murder – “The Sinister Minister – Jackson Township, Pennsylvania”

Podcast: Small Town Murder
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman
Episode Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a chilling case from Jackson Township, Pennsylvania, where disturbing patterns emerge around one man: Pastor Arthur “A.B.” Shermer. After his first wife dies in a suspicious “accident” and, years later, his second wife perishes in an equally questionable car crash, the small town’s trust sours into suspicion. The hosts deliver an in-depth, story-driven look at the investigation, the broader religious community, and the dark side of charisma, all delivered with their signature dark humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jackson Township: The Setting

• Location Confusion: There are 18 Jackson Townships in Pennsylvania, complicating research for the hosts. This story takes place in Monroe County, eastern PA—about equidistant from Philadelphia and New York City ([06:00–08:00]).
• Local Color: The town is small, older, and more female than male, with a strong religious presence (especially Catholic). The median age is nearly 47, and it’s described as having “eclectic weather”—hot summers and cold winters ([10:25–13:00]).
• Notable Features: Taste of local culture—former ice industry, reviews about “minimal crime” and “eclectic” (meaning variable) weather, and a real estate rundown with some surprisingly pricey and strange homes ([08:51–17:00]).

2. Introducing the Shermers

• Arthur “A.B.” Shermer: Born in 1948, always wanted to be a minister. Charismatic, good singer, and a staple of the community ([24:34–26:05]).
• Jewel Shermer (First Wife): A preacher’s daughter (actually both parents were ministers), actively involved in church music, teaching, and children’s programming. Known for patience, warmth, and devotion ([26:06–38:00]).
• Their Marriage & Public Life: Married young, three kids, “church power couple” who travel for musical ministry, release religious albums, and perform at women’s events—often where A.B. is the center of female attention ([46:31–51:33]).

3. Behind the Scenes: Multiple Affairs & Scandal

• A.B.’s Affairs: Even early in their marriage, A.B. can’t stay faithful—he has liaisons with members of his congregation, including those he’s supposed to be counseling ([39:34–44:36]).
• Memorable Commentary:

  “Pastor… not to be trusted with your wife. That’s… not good!” – James ([42:08])

• Jewel’s Dilemma: She is aware, unable to seek divorce due to religious and social pressure. Continues to work and serve in the church in silence—an “Angela” figure worn down by her husband’s betrayals ([45:58–47:44]).

4. First Tragedy: The 1999 Staircase Death (Jewel)

• The Incident (Apr 23, 1999): A.B. returns from jogging to find Jewel at the bottom of the basement stairs, head trauma, shop-vac cord around her ankle.
• Red Flags:
  • A.B doesn’t ride in ambulance, stays behind to “change clothes.”
  • Medical examiner notes severe trauma: 14 impact areas, skull fracture requires 750 lbs of force. No corresponding injuries to hands, arms, or torso—just the head ([21:59–24:39; 76:00–78:07]).
• Medical Theory/Problems:
  • Initial speculation: heart attack led to fall.
  • Organ donor: Her heart is already transplanted before full exam—convenient, but suspicious ([74:13–75:28]).
  • Autopsy: Heart tissue proves she didn’t have a heart attack ([75:46–76:12]).
• Cops’ Response: Medical examiner flags undetermined cause, recommends more investigation. Police do nothing. Jewel’s brother finds blood scene cleaned up almost immediately ([78:32–81:00]).
• Memorable Quote:

  “The cops said, thanks for the tip, and they did nothing.” – James ([78:35])

5. A New Start: Marriage to Betty Jean Scherzer

• Remarriage: Within two years, A.B. finds new love in Betty, a widely-liked, deeply charitable woman. Her family is thrilled: “He sings like an angel, he’s nice, you can’t beat it here.” ([84:19–88:32])
• Timeline: Married June 2001—Betty’s family and A.B.’s daughters embrace the union. A.B. quickly rises in church ranks again ([86:45–88:32]).

6. Another Scandal: Affair with Cindy Musante

• The Affair: A.B. begins an affair with his secretary, Cindy, whose husband Joe is a downtrodden, alcoholic carpenter and parishioner. Cindy, tired of her marriage, falls for A.B. ([89:17–93:17])
• Discovery and Family Fallout:
  • Cindy’s daughter Samantha (16) discovers explicit texts and warns her father. Samantha catfishes the lovers to try to stop it—they respond by gaslighting her ([94:52–100:03]).
  • Memorable Quote:

    “It wasn’t ‘I love you in Christ.’ I’m gonna tag the Christ out of you when I see you.” – Jimmie ([97:40])

7. Second Tragedy: The 2008 “Car Crash” (Betty)

• The Crash (July 15, 2008): A.B. drives Betty (supposedly ill) to hospital at 2am; claims a deer runs in front, he swerves, crashes at 55 mph, unbelted Betty is fatally injured.
• Red Flags:
  • A bystander notes A.B.’s emotionless attitude: “He was like, yeah, here’s my wife, check her out…” – James ([103:30])
  • A.B. fails to call 911—the bystander does. Betty suffers catastrophic injuries and is taken off life support.
  • Betty, a well-known seatbelt crusader, supposedly wasn’t wearing one—A.B. changes his story multiple times ([108:43–112:23]).
• The Immediate Cremation & Deer Urn:
  • Betty’s family is shocked at swift cremation despite Betty's opposition to it.
  • A.B. has her ashes placed in an urn decorated with a deer—ostensibly as a memorial… or misdirection ([129:41–130:06, 177:36]).
  • “He puts her in a deer urn. Is that telling on yourself a little bit?” – James ([130:01])

8. Joe Musante’s Suicide: Connecting the Dots

• The Fallout:
  • When Cindy’s husband, Joe, uncovers the affair, he spirals. After threats and heartbreak, Joe shoots himself behind the pastor’s desk at the church ([119:47–121:48]).
  • The investigation confirms suicide with gunshot residue and physical evidence ([121:12–121:38]).
• Family Heroism:
  • Joe’s sister, Rose Cobb, pieces together the pattern: two dead wives, a suicide—all linked to A.B. She pushes authorities to investigate deeper, contacting police and Bishop ([131:39–132:30]).
  • Without Rose (“the A1 hero”), the murders nearly go unpunished ([132:47–134:03]).

9. Toppling the House: Investigations & Forensics

• Prosecutor’s Questions:
  • After Joe’s death, authorities revisit Betty’s “accident.” Blood patterns in the PT Cruiser suggest staged injury; blood-trail and diluted stains in the garage indicate Betty was attacked at home, then moved ([143:14–144:50]).
  • Crash reconstruction experts find A.B. lied about events. No evidence of deer or high speed; undisturbed coin holder further proves low impact ([137:36–139:06]).
  • Luminol reveals blood trails in the garage leading to the car, matching Betty ([143:16–144:50]).
  • Investigators also re-examine Jewel’s death, using crash test dummies and biomedical experts to prove falling down the stairs couldn’t cause her wounds. Both wives had near-identical head injuries, both killed by blunt-force trauma from a cylindrical object ([163:14–163:54]).

10. The Trials & Aftermath

• Trial 1: Betty’s Murder (2013)
  • Prosecutors paint A.B. as “a wolf in shepherd’s clothing…preying on his own flock.”
  • Family members testify about A.B.’s manipulations, gaslighting, and cold behavior.
  • A.B. testifies, overconfident, stares uncomfortably at jury, insists on innocence, fails to sway anyone ([175:00–176:28]).
  • Verdict: Guilty—first-degree murder, life without parole ([180:14–180:33]).
  • Betty’s sisters express relief and hope A.B. suffers in prison.
• Trial 2: Jewel’s Murder (2014)
  • Faced with overwhelming evidence and already serving life, A.B. pleads no contest to third-degree murder, denying guilt but “taking the plea for his daughters' sake” ([182:20–183:21]).
  • Judge:

    “You’re the worst guy I’ve ever sentenced.” ([183:39])

  • Sentence: 20–40 years consecutive to life.
• Legacy & Fallout
  • Cindy, the affair partner, remains dedicated—visits A.B. in prison, supports him, acts as surrogate mother to his daughters, and all believe him innocent.
  • Cindy’s daughter Samantha (the initial “whistleblower”) is estranged from her mother and regards A.B. as dangerous:

    “My deepest wish is for Cindy to truly see Arthur. To witness his authentic self, the man he truly is.” ([186:02])

  • Detective Wagner credits Rose Cobb and Samantha Musante as the essential forces bringing A.B. to justice.
  • “Science doesn’t lie, but people do routinely… but truth is always on the body and in the body. You just have to find it.” – Medical Examiner ([187:24])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On cleaning up the scene:

  “The cops said, thanks for the tip, and they did nothing.” – James ([78:35])

• On finding blood in the garage:

  “The detective said… it lit up like crazy. …I could not believe I was seeing blood stains on the floor.” ([143:11])

• A.B. on the deer urn:

  “Betty loved deer, man. And at that moment I thought it would be meaningful.” ([177:36])

• Host banter on hymns and seduction:

  “Imagine getting into church for pussy… You could have just learned three jokes…” – James ([40:47]) “Closed mouths don’t get fed, is what I’ve been told.” – Jimmie ([91:55])

• On science vs. willful disbelief:

  “I just don’t believe what [the medical examiner] said.” – Julie (daughter) ([166:06])

  • James: “She doesn’t buy it. I believe that to be true. Oh, Julie.”
• On the public funerals/urns:

  “Is that telling on yourself a little bit? The deer thing…?” ([130:06])

• Prosecutor’s summation:

  “Images of desperation… betrayal… the image of a wolf in shepherd’s clothing, preying upon his own flock.” ([170:20])

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Town background & local color: [05:20–17:00]
• A.B. & Jewel’s early life & public persona: [24:34–38:00]
• Affair pattern and congregation gossip: [39:34–47:44]
• Jewel’s suspicious death: [21:59–24:39], [74:13–81:00]
• Betty’s marriage & “accident”: [84:19–112:23], [129:41–130:06 (urn)]
• Affair with Cindy and Joe’s suicide: [89:17–121:48]
• Forensics, investigation reopening: [143:14–145:40], [163:14–163:54]
• Trials/verdicts: [170:20–184:01]

Tone, Humor, & Style

James and Jimmie break up the horrific tragedy with a stream of self-aware jokes about church politics, true crime tropes, and their own ignorance of certain religious songs or practices. It’s irreverent, openly critical of religious hypocrisy, and punctuated by tangents that highlight the inherent absurdity or darkness of the events. The banter is fast, but always brings the listener back to the human consequences of the case.

Final Takeaway

The case of “The Sinister Minister” is a study in how charm and authority can be used to manipulate communities and evade justice—until two persistent women (Rose Cobb and Samantha Musante) refused to let the pattern of violence be swept under the rug. The hosts’ comedic approach brings both relief and sharp critique, shining a clear spotlight on the dangers of unchecked charisma in positions of trust.

If you missed the episode, this summary provides the full arc, critical details, and the host’s comedic perspective—no need to worry about skipping the ads or intros, either!