The Girl in the Blue Mustang – Episode 6: Finding John Doe

Podcast: The Girl in the Blue Mustang
Host: Keith Morrison (NBC News)
Date: April 11, 2023
Episode Theme:
This series finale unpacks the complex aftermath of Raymond Jennings' exoneration for the murder of Michelle O’Keefe. The episode dives into the emotional courtroom drama as Jennings is set free, the competing theories about the real culprit (“John Doe”), the pain and disbelief felt by Michelle’s family, and reveals new details about potential suspects previously left in the shadows. It examines all the twists, lingering questions, and the people irrevocably changed by the decades-old crime.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Raymond Jennings’ Release and Its Aftermath

• Raymond Jennings’ Imprisonment: The episode opens with a description of Jennings, incarcerated for 11 years, reflecting on the toll—missing his children except for brief annual visits and approaching his 42nd birthday. ([00:51])
• Emotional Toll: Jennings’ wife, Emily, describes the despair and repeated questioning of “why me?” during his time in prison. ([01:35])
• Parental Perspective: Keith Morrison emphasizes how Michelle O’Keefe’s family took comfort in believing Jennings’ guilt and how hard it was for them to accept any change. “When the only comfort that you’ve had for a decade is the belief that the man who killed your daughter is in prison and that man is Ray. I understand why it’s hard to let go of that.” (Clint Ehrlich, [01:52])
• Judicial Sea Change: The Conviction Review Unit (CRU) led by Ken Lynch takes on Jennings' case, signaling a “jolt to justice” that tosses accepted facts. The CRU investigates in great detail—mining new leads, reviewing prior evidence, and even challenging law enforcement assumptions. ([03:24]–[05:20])

The Courtroom: Release and Emotions Run High

• The Decision: In a tense courtroom on June 23, 2016, the CRU’s investigation leads Judge Ryan to raise doubts about Jennings’ conviction.
  • “People now believe that Mr. Jennings may not be guilty of the crime of which is convicted. That other people are implicated by new evidence. I think I can believe that.” (Clint Ehrlich, [08:55])
  • Deputy DA Robert Grace declares, “The people no longer have confidence in the conviction based upon what we feel is third party culpability evidence.” ([09:20])
  • Judge Ryan orders Jennings released on his own recognizance. ([10:02])
• Jennings Reacts: The moment is surreal for Jennings and his defense: “Did he say it? Is that what he… I’m being released.” ([10:12])
• Family Reaction: While joy erupts on Jennings' side, the O'Keefes are devastated and skeptical.
  • “I have nothing that can show me. Prove to me otherwise at this time… This thing went through three trials... and then this little unit can kind of go in and ad hoc without anything really solid to say, ‘Hey, we want to release him’. Goes completely against our whole judicial system.” (Mike O’Keefe, [11:50])
  • Morrison notes: “Pretty harsh words.” “And I’m a pretty pissed off dad.” (Clint Ehrlich, [12:20])
• Leaving Prison: Jennings is released, describes his feelings as “surreal. Shocking. Adjusting.” ([14:43]-[14:49])
  • He emphasizes repeatedly that he harbors “no anger, no bitterness” about his ordeal. ([14:55]-[15:05])

Factual Innocence and the Search for “John Doe”

• Record Cleaned: Months after Jennings’ release, Judge Ryan officially declares him factually innocent. ([16:23])
  • Judge Ryan also holds a private meeting with detectives and prosecutors to review the suspects—details unsealed for the first time in this episode ([17:08], [25:29]).
• Emergence of “John Doe”:
  • The CRU investigates Victoria Richardson, a gang member who was parked near Michelle on the night of the murder. She originally testified for the prosecution but later gives up the name of Andrew Stewart (“John Doe”), a fellow member of the Flushing 50s Bloods gang. Stewart, then 18, had a history of violent crimes and carjackings involving a 9mm pistol—the same caliber used to kill Michelle. ([18:46]–[21:25])
  • Stewart was found with an earring matching one missing from Michelle. Ballistics linked shell casings from Michelle’s case to another crime scene associated with Stewart. ([21:25])
  • “It appeared that he didn’t know how to drive a stick, and so he was very interested in whether [stolen Mustangs] were automatics or not... That would be one clue [why Michelle’s car—a manual—wasn’t stolen].” (Clint Ehrlich, [22:29])
  • The CRU finds authorities focused on less-likely suspects—such as a “red hat guy” and local drug dealer Brian Kellogg—rather than Stewart. ([23:53]–[25:29])
• Revealing the True Suspects: NBC News obtained transcripts revealing the two men discussed in Judge Ryan’s chamber:
  • Andrew Stewart (“John Doe”), now serving a 31-year sentence for carjacking.
  • Brian Kellogg, a drug dealer suspected by detectives but deceased as of the episode’s airing. ([25:29]–[29:58])
    • “Brian Kellogg had just died the night before we called. He was 45 years old, natural causes.” (Keith Morrison, [29:58])
• DA Reluctance: The DA’s embarrassment over missing a key suspect at the scene is theorized to play a role in their silence.
  • “They would have to acknowledge that they knew that this individual was present at the crime scene and they didn’t even interview him. And the degree of embarrassment from that is such that I think they just don’t want to touch it.” (Clint Ehrlich, [31:22])
• Jennings expresses hope the real killer will eventually be caught:
  • “Absolutely... I just know that there was other people in that parking lot that night.” ([31:43]–[31:59])

Personal Reflections and Rays of Hope

• Clint Ehrlich’s Journey: Sworn in as a lawyer by Ken Lynch, Ehrlich speaks movingly:
  • “Ray Jennings lost 11 years of his life. Michelle O’Keefe lost her entire life. And I’ve met her father. He’s a gracious man and he deserves the solace of knowing who killed his daughter.” ([32:25]–[32:48])
• Jeff Ehrlich’s Perspective:
  • “It has given me more pleasure as a lawyer than anything I’ve ever done… It rates for me with the kind of personal milestones that of, you know, getting married, having your children born, things like that. I get to see little ripples… we did something good for Ray Jennings. And now the ripples of good, you know, go out.” ([33:59])
  • Jennings becomes family to the Ehrlichs—officiating at Jeff’s son’s wedding; the families are now deeply intertwined. ([34:55])
• Jennings on Law Enforcement and False Assumptions:
  • “It never dawned on me to ask for an attorney... I’ve always had a lot of respect for law enforcement and what they do and come to find out, you know, it’s not all sugars and cookies.” ([35:23])
  • He tried to “be extra helpful” to avoid fitting the negative stereotype of security guards—an effort that ultimately hurt him. ([35:52]–[36:23])
  • “No, I’m not bitter. You know, like I said, I have... moved forward with my life. I moved forward in prison, and I now move forward outside of prison again, the choice is yours.” ([37:01])

The O’Keefe Family and Michelle’s Legacy

• Lingering Grief: Michelle’s parents remain convinced of Jennings' guilt, unable to reconcile his release. ([37:18])
• Cherished Memories: Mike O’Keefe shares how Michelle’s memory serves as a role model for others, providing some solace through her enduring positive influence. ([37:57])
• Siblings’ Promise: The closing audio recalls Michelle’s younger brother Jason’s vow at her funeral: “I will love you forever and I’ll see you in heaven when it’s my time to go. Love, your brother Jason.” ([39:04])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “When the only comfort that you’ve had for a decade is the belief that the man who killed your daughter is in prison and that man is Ray. I understand why it’s hard to let go of that.” – Clint Ehrlich ([01:52])
• “People now believe that Mr. Jennings may not be guilty of the crime... I think I can believe that.” – Clint Ehrlich ([08:55])
• “The people no longer have confidence in the conviction based upon what we feel is third party culpability evidence.” – Deputy DA Robert Grace ([09:20])
• “I have nothing that can show me. Prove to me otherwise at this time. Nobody showed me anything otherwise. That he wasn’t at least involved.” – Mike O’Keefe ([11:50])
• “I hold no anger, no bitterness. There’s no place for it.” – Raymond Jennings ([14:55])
• “There’s ballistics evidence showing a very particular defect... that happened to match the shell casings found at a crime scene that appeared to be connected to John Doe.” – Clint Ehrlich ([21:25])
• “It appeared that he didn’t know how to drive a stick, and so he was very interested in whether [the Mustangs] were automatics or not.” – Clint Ehrlich ([22:29])
• “He’s stuck on stupid,” – Prison official, re: Andrew Stewart ([30:53])
• “Ray Jennings lost 11 years of his life. Michelle O’Keefe lost her entire life.” – Clint Ehrlich ([32:25])
• “It has given me more pleasure as a lawyer than anything I’ve ever done… we did something good for Ray Jennings. And now the ripples of good, you know, go out.” – Jeff Ehrlich ([33:59])
• “It never dawned on me to ask for an attorney… I’ve always had a lot of respect for law enforcement and what they do and come to find out, you know, it’s not all sugars and cookies.” – Raymond Jennings ([35:23])
• “I missed my kids, you know.” – Raymond Jennings ([16:08])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:51] – Jennings’ life in prison and impact on his family.
• [03:24] – CRU takes on the case; stakes and intensity of review.
• [06:23] – CRU notifies O’Keefe parents of new developments.
• [07:36] – Courtroom exchanges: judge, DA, defense, and Jennings’ release.
• [10:47] – Emotional reflection on end of legal ordeal.
• [18:46] – Investigation into new suspects begins.
• [21:06] – Evidence emerges linking Andrew Stewart to the murder.
• [25:29] – Released transcripts and identification of Stewart and Kellogg.
• [31:22] – DA’s reluctance to act on new evidence.
• [32:48] – Clint Ehrlich on the tragedy and the hope for justice.
• [33:59] – Jeff Ehrlich’s reflections on the personal impact.
• [35:23] – Jennings on lessons learned from the justice system.
• [37:57] – Michelle O’Keefe’s enduring legacy and family grief.
• [38:51] – Farewell reflection on Michelle’s life and Jason’s funeral promise.

Conclusion

“Finding John Doe” closes out The Girl in the Blue Mustang not with solved mysteries but with deep questions and raw humanity. It highlights a justice system so easily swayed and flawed, families mourning in their own ways, and the enduring scars of an unsolved murder. Through the candid voices of those involved—exonerated, advocates, and bereaved alike—the story leaves listeners reflecting on the true costs of justice and the resilience of the human spirit.

For anyone seeking a comprehensive, emotionally granular look at the end of the Raymond Jennings saga, this episode is a gripping, unforgettable listen.