Snapped: Women Who Murder – “Joe Campbell”

Podcast by Oxygen | Episode Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Theme and Overview

This episode recounts the escalating feud between two neighbors in Montana’s remote wilderness, culminating in the 2013 shooting death of Tim Newman by Joe Campbell. The narrative explores rural disputes over land access, property rights, and the ultimately deadly fallout between members of a tight-knit cabin community. Through interviews with law enforcement, family, and neighbors, the episode examines the self-defense claim, conflicting perspectives, forensic evidence, and justice in the wake of a controversial plea deal.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Setting & Community

• Diamond Bar X is a rugged, idyllic enclave in Montana’s Flathead National Forest, popular for its access to the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
  • "It's a sportsman's paradise. There's hunting, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding..." (Friend/Neighbor, 02:33)
• The people are described as tight-knit, sharing a mutual love for outdoor life.

2. The Altercation and Shooting (03:08-06:11)

• On October 18, 2013, a 911 call reports a heated confrontation between Joe Campbell and Tim Newman.
  • “Tim Newman is still arguing with Joe, and she's afraid things might get out of hand.” (Narrator, 03:54)
• A second call soon reports shots fired. Deputy Steiner finds Newman dead at the scene; Campbell surrendered his weapon calmly.
  • “I noticed what looked like a gunshot wound to his hand and a gunshot wound that hit his vest.” (Deputy Steiner, 01:14)

3. Who Was Tim Newman? (06:26-10:14)

• Tim is portrayed as an outdoorsman, dedicated friend, and community member—“a kind-hearted soul” who restored his cabin and helped neighbors.
  • “He'd give you the shirt off his back. Tim was just a kind-hearted soul, I believe.” (Friend/Neighbor, 08:52)
• Found love with his wife Jackie; together they were “soulmates” (Friend/Neighbor, 10:09).

4. The Feud’s Roots & Escalation (13:15-16:11, 23:03-29:55)

• Access Dispute: Joe Campbell bought up large tracts and blocked historic trails, asserting private property rights, while many—particularly Tim—believed in a public access tradition called the “pony trail.”
  • “He locked the gates, said, no more. I don't want anybody crossing. Tim Newman felt he couldn't do that, that it was a historical easement.” (Investigator, 14:15)
• The dispute escalated for years: cut locks, repeated trespassing citations for Tim, reports of Campbell brandishing firearms.
  • “Joe would put a new one on. Tim would cut a lock, Joe would put a new one on. It just kept escalating and escalating.” (Deputy Steiner, 15:32)

5. Violence Foretold & Legal Inertia

• Neighbors repeatedly warned authorities, fearing violence if the situation wasn’t handled.
  • “We’ve had so many incidences up here, and he's now pulled a weapon. Nothing's been done, and someone's going to get shot.” (Neighbor, 28:14)
• Officials insisted it was a “civil matter,” declining criminal action even after guns were brandished.

6. Immediate Aftermath & Initial Investigation (12:12-18:09)

• Joe Campbell claimed he shot in self-defense when Tim allegedly drew a gun.
  • “He reached around behind him and pulled out his gun...and that's when I drew my gun. I shot.” (Investigator, 16:53)
• Montana’s strong “stand your ground” law complicated law enforcement’s response.

7. Skepticism and Community Reaction (21:35-22:43)

• Many doubts arose among Tim’s friends and neighbors. Community sentiment strongly distrusted Campbell’s story.
  • “I believe he thought he could get away with murder.” (Family Member, 22:25)
• Fears spread: “The feeling up there then was there's a guy living up here that's capable of killing somebody, shooting him in the back. It scared off a lot of the neighbors.” (Friend/Neighbor, 35:35)

8. Forensics & Reenactment Challenge the Self-Defense Claim (31:08-39:15)

• Autopsy & Ballistics: The trajectory of Tim’s wounds contradicted Campbell’s version. Evidence suggested Tim was running away, shot in the back first.
  • “The angle indicated opposite of what he said. That’s where our alarm bells went off.” (Investigator, 32:23)
• Neither the gun’s placement nor the bolt cutters supported Joe’s account.
  • “Tim was left handed. And when he was shot and killed, the gun was laying by his right hand.” (Neighbor, 38:34)
  • “I don't think that Tim ever drew a gun. I think it was pulled out...and placed by his right hand. I think it was staged after the fact.” (Investigator, 38:44)
• A reenactment in May 2014 confirmed the forensic team’s theory: Tim was shot in the back while running.

9. Arrest, Trial & Controversy (39:42-43:43)

• Joe Campbell was arrested in June 2014, but after posting high-value bail, never spent a night in jail.
• Trial: Began February 2016. Prosecutors presented detailed evidence, but conflicting experts confused jurors.
  • “It was hard to heal and move on when we're sitting in court looking at a murderer.” (Jackie Newman, 42:13)
• Outcome: The jury was hung, resulting in a mistrial. Joe Campbell took a plea deal for 20 years’ probation, but no prison time.
  • “Never spend a night in jail for killing a fella. I don't know. It's money. It's money.” (Jackie Newman, 43:36)

10. Aftermath & Legacy (43:43-44:38)

• Campbell was banned from the mountain and had to sell his properties.
• Community members regained peace and access; a memorial now marks the place of the shooting.
  • “There's still access to the national forest for the general public, for the average guy. And that's something that I'm grateful to those that made that happen.” (Jackie Newman, 44:17)
  • “We look at that [tree]. It’s hard not to think about him.” (Friend/Neighbor, 44:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Feud and Warning Signs:

• "He wanted to be king of the mountain. He wanted to run the place." (Friend/Neighbor, 01:41)
• "We were told, unfortunately, that it was a civil problem...We thought, okay, before violence comes to it, we'll just fight him legally." (Friend/Neighbor, 28:30)
• "The next time you see him, it's going to be in a body bag." (Friend/Neighbor quoting Campbell, 07:07; 30:25)

On Community Fear:

• “It scared off a lot of the neighbors. They decided to stay away because they were afraid.” (Friend/Neighbor, 35:35)
• “You didn’t know if you were going to be next.” (Jackie Newman, 31:17; 35:52)

On Forensic Breakthrough:

• “That’s where our alarm bells went off. This is wrong. This didn’t happen the way he said.” (Investigator, 32:23)
• “If you are shot just standing there, you’re gonna fall and your legs will be together...If you’re running...one leg is already out, such as Tim Newman was.” (Investigator, 36:47)

On Justice and Aftermath:

• “The state negotiated that he could not come back on the mountain. He had to be 10 miles from his residence because so many of us were witnesses.” (Neighbor, 40:43)
• “Never spend a night in jail for killing a fella. I don't know. I don't know. It's money. It's money.” (Jackie Newman, 43:36)
• “There's still access to the national forest for the general public ... that's something that I'm grateful to those that made that happen.” (Jackie Newman, 44:17)
• "I'll see you in a few years, buddy." (Jackie Newman, 44:38)

Key Timestamps

• 03:08-06:11 – The 911 call and shooting; discovery of Tim Newman’s body.
• 13:15-16:11 – Origins and escalation of the land feud.
• 21:35-22:43 – Neighbors express distrust and fear of Campbell; community reaction.
• 31:08-39:15 – Forensic evidence and reenactment contradict Campbell’s self-defense claim.
• 39:42-41:04 – Arrest of Campbell; trial outcomes; community reflects on safety and justice.
• 43:36-44:38 – Aftermath, plea deal, and memorial for Tim Newman.

Tone & Language

• The episode balances investigative rigor with the raw emotion of a close-knit, fractured community.
• The voices of law enforcement are measured, focused on procedure and evidence (“We need to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt it wasn't self defense by the forensic evidence.” Investigator, 32:00).
• Friends and neighbors express grief, exasperation, and a sense of injustice (“I believe he thought he could get away with murder.” Family Member, 22:25).
• Jackie Newman’s voice in the closing minutes is somber but grateful for positive changes rising from tragedy.

For listeners, this episode is a sobering look at how community strife, isolation, and the ambiguity of self-defense law can clash—with lasting effects on real people.