The Burden | Death & Deceit in Alliance

Episode 8: The PIs
Host: Maggie Freleng (Orbit Media)
Date: December 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Maggie Freleng teams up with private investigators John Hardin and Danny Waxler of Proclaim Justice to scrutinize the David Thorne case. As they trace the original leads and re-interview critical witnesses—including Rose Moore and Chris Campbell—they seek to uncover new evidence or discrepancies in the testimony that led to Thorne's conviction for the murder of Yvonne Layne.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin Story of Proclaim Justice and Jason Baldwin’s Involvement

Timestamps: 03:05–10:25

• Maggie introduces the background of Jason Baldwin, wrongfully convicted in the West Memphis Three case, whose story inspired John Hardin to found Proclaim Justice.
  • “I got kidnapped at the age of 16 by the state of Arkansas and, you know, spent 18 years in prison for something I didn't do.” — Jason Baldwin (03:42)
• John describes advocating for the West Memphis Three from afar, then partnering with Jason post-release to start investigating wrongful convictions.
  • “...the best things I've experienced in my life was...seeing you guys walk free, and I want to continue doing that for other innocent people in prison.” — John Hardin (09:06)
• Proclaim Justice is portrayed as deeply selective, working only on cases where they are highly confident in the defendant’s innocence.

2. The David Thorne Case: First Impressions & Red Flags

Timestamps: 12:05–16:25

• John Hardin and Danny Waxler review David Thorne’s trial transcripts, immediately noting several oddities:
  • John is skeptical about the prosecution’s story that Joe Wilkes was paid just $300 to commit murder.
    • “Plausible, but fucking $300 to murder a woman in cold blood?” — John Hardin (12:34)
  • The investigators question how the knife and pants were found, their forensic value, and Joe Wilkes’ inconsistent statements.
    • “There were no. There was no blood on that knife. I think there was a partial print on the knife that didn't match anybody.” — John Hardin (15:42)
  • The central concern emerges: The prosecution’s main evidence is the word of someone viewed as unreliable, who could have been coerced.

3. The Hunt for Rose Moore and Chris Campbell

Timestamps: 19:31–30:55

• The PIs seek out Rose Moore and Chris Campbell, pivotal witnesses whose statements placed Joe Wilkes at the center of the prosecution’s case.
• Rose’s story shifted between her initial police interview and her testimony at trial, raising suspicions.
  • “Rose initially told police Joe was in a white outfit... By trial she put him in black pants... She also initially told police Joe's knife was an 8 inch knife in a sheath. By trial, this changed to the folding knife Joe allegedly bought…” — Maggie Freleng (21:30)
• Sue (David’s wife) confronted Rose about a business card said to have Joe’s number. Rose reportedly admitted Sue wrote the number, not Joe.
  • “When Sue confronted her... she said he didn’t write this. Joe didn’t write this. You did. And in Sue’s mind at least, Rose acknowledged that she did write that.” — John Hardin (22:22)
• Rose refuses to meet the investigators:
  • “No, I'm not interested in talking. I gave my testimony in court many years ago. Nothing has changed.” — Rose Moore, via text (30:00)

4. Interviewing Chris Campbell: Revealing Contradictions

Timestamps: 32:41–40:56

• After persistent effort, John and Danny interview Chris Campbell. Contrary to Joe's claim of animosity, Chris says he was Joe’s only friend.
  • “Me and him? I think I was his only friend. Really.” — Chris Campbell (33:28)
  • On allegations of racism: “Did you ever think of Joe as a racist?... Not at all.” — John Hardin & Chris Campbell (33:16–34:04)
• The investigators raise the possibility that Chris received a deal to testify; Chris denies this, insisting he only shared the truth.
  • “Did they ever, like, lean on you to say something?... Yeah, that’s what it was. But I said, the only thing I have is a true.” — Chris Campbell (36:26)
  • Chris affirms no attempt was made to get him to lie or “fill some holes” in his statement.
• Chris and Rose provided slightly disparate accounts:
  • Rose claimed Joe said a guy paid him to kill Yvonne.
  • Chris remembered Joe saying a girlfriend wanted the killing done.
  • “There's a big difference between some guy paid me off to... In your view, what Joe had said was that his girlfriend had sent him to do the job.” — John Hardin (37:08)
  • Chris added that Joe didn’t have a girlfriend—raising further doubts about the story’s coherence.

5. Limitations, Confusion, and Lingering Suspicions

Timestamps: 40:35–41:38

• Chris openly expresses skepticism that Joe—who “loves kids”—would commit such a crime, especially around children.
  • “Joe loves kids. Joe wouldn't do that. Not in front of no kids anyway.” — Chris Campbell (40:50)
• Both core witnesses’ stories have evolved over time, making it difficult to discern what truly happened.
  • “Chris said Rose was coached, but he doesn't know for sure. And we don't know either... both he and Rose are sticking to their original stories. So that leaves us with Joe.” — Maggie Freleng (41:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The reason David Thorne is sitting in jail right now is someone that you acknowledge is a fucking liar. Yeah, yeah, yeah.” — John Hardin (15:42)
• On the hard truth of wrongful conviction work:
  • “In most innocence cases, even successful ones, rarely is there enough evidence to prove someone else did the crime. It’s violations of due process... that lead to overturning a conviction most times.” — Maggie Freleng (16:25)
• “Investigative work takes a lot of patience, a lot of waiting. You get hopeful, and then your hopes are dashed.” — Maggie Freleng (30:28)
• Human touch:
  • “John starts every morning with Cher.” — Maggie Freleng (19:52)
  • "Think it’s haunted. I think there’s bones up there." — John Hardin (31:10)

Important Timestamps

• 03:05–10:25 — Proclaim Justice origins, West Memphis Three context
• 12:05–16:25 — Initial review of David Thorne's case, first doubts
• 19:31–22:54 — Rose Moore’s story and its inconsistencies
• 23:20–30:13 — Attempts to contact Rose Moore; waiting, persistence, and her refusal
• 32:41–41:38 — Chris Campbell interview; clarifying contradictions, discussing motives, scrutinizing the sequence of events

Flow & Tone

The episode is methodical yet deeply human: Maggie and the PIs doggedly hunt for the truth, with dialogue tinged by frustration, dry humor, and flashes of empathy. Maggie's narration is honest about the disappointments and difficulties of re-investigating an old case, while John and Danny’s fieldwork is neighborly and low-pressure by design—hoping candor will lead to fresh revelations.

Conclusion

This episode peels back new layers of the Yvonne Layne case by returning to the original witnesses whose testimonies shaped the conviction of David Thorne. The interviews reveal inconsistencies, possible police coaching, and genuine doubts about everyone’s version of events. While the core witnesses stick to their old stories, the PIs' ground work suggests that “the truth” is still perilously out of reach—and underscores how fragile a conviction can be when it hinges not on physical evidence, but on the words of unreliable narrators.

End of summary.