The Journal. — "Camp Swamp Road" Ep. 3: "A Friend in the Shadows"
Date: September 28, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Knutson & Jessica Mendoza
Reporter/Narrator: Valerie Bauerlein
Episode Overview
In “A Friend in the Shadows,” episode three of the “Camp Swamp Road” series, the show deepens its investigation into the killing of Scott Spivey by Weldon Boyd and Bradley Williams. Through Jennifer Foley’s relentless search through police files—specifically a trove of secretly recorded phone calls—the episode challenges the official narrative of self-defense and exposes behind-the-scenes relationships that may have shaped the investigation. The episode spotlights new evidence that deeply implicates both the shooters and the handling of the case by local police, culminating in Jennifer’s realization of potential corruption and systemic failure.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jennifer Foley’s Discovery of the Phone Calls
- Discovery: On the night of the Super Bowl, Jennifer pores over “a mangled mess of police files,” discovering approximately 7-8 hours of phone calls recorded by Weldon Boyd after the shooting.
- Quote (Jennifer, 01:24): “I was at my kitchen table... I don't really know what I'm looking at.”
- Significance: These calls, many unavailable before, provide unprecedented insight into the private thoughts and real-time reactions of Boyd, Williams, and their associates before, during, and after the shooting.
2. The 911 Call: A New Perspective
- Key Moment (02:21 – 04:33): Jennifer listens to Boyd’s own recording of the 911 call, which includes previously unheard voices and clearer context.
- Bradley Williams (03:05): “Slow down.”
- Williams, post-shooting (04:27): “God damn it Weldon, why couldn't we... fucking leave him alone?”
- Jennifer’s Interpretation: The new audio reveals her brother was being pursued, undermining the self-defense claim.
- Quote (Jennifer, 03:23): “He's running from you. Leave him alone… all I can do on that whole nine long tape is like, please just stop. Just stop.”
3. Jennifer’s Overnight Analysis & Legal Significance
- All-Nighter (04:57): Jennifer stays up “the whole time,” documenting and preparing evidence for her lawyer, Mark Tinsley.
- Lawyer Receives Evidence (22:35): Mark listens on a four-hour drive to the deposition, stating,
- Mark Tinsley (22:54): “The Super Bowl was last night. But you just… you just ran a touchdown.”
4. Inside Weldon Boyd’s Life and the Pre-Shooting Context
- Volume of Calls: Boyd is portrayed as intensely connected to his parents, especially his mother.
- Motherly Involvement (12:45): “Boyd talks with his parents more than 30 times” in five days.
- Personal Turmoil: Boyd’s recent breakup and custody battle fueled the compulsive recording of his calls.
- Quote (08:01, Boyd’s mother): “Weldon, you got some crazy people.”
- Boyd’s Reputation: A charismatic, combative businessman, Boyd is a local celebrity and known for public altercations and litigiousness.
- Boyd, on defending himself (13:51): “I will not tolerate someone fabricating a lie to damage my business and hurt my employees…”
5. The Friends and the Fallout
- Best Friend Bradley Williams: His dynamic with Boyd is explored through candid conversations after the shooting.
- Boyd (20:08): “I know it’s fucked up to say, but I had a fucking blast.”
- Williams Downplays Remorse: “I feel no remorse for that dude. I hate the situation… but, I mean, he fucked up.”
- Teardrop Tattoos (20:53 – 21:22): The friends joke about commemorating the kill, disturbing Jennifer, Mark, and listeners alike.
- Jennifer’s Reflection (22:00): “Fear and love, they don't... typically, they're not coinciding emotions… are you in fear or do you freaking love it?”
6. Crucial Deposition Moments
- Mark Tinsley Uses Call Evidence:
- Tinsley (23:54): “At that point you were thinking, fuck this guy, and so you chased him.”
- Boyd (24:04): “Obviously someone aims a gun at you, it makes you mad. Not gonna apologize for that…”
- Williams’ Evasiveness:
- Tinsley (24:47): “Do you remember him telling you he had a blast?”
- Williams: “No.”
- Tinsley (25:07): “It would [be shocking]… you would remember something like that, wouldn't you?”
- Williams: “Yeah.”
7. The Friend in the Shadows: Police Involvement
- Calls with Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland (29:28+):
- Boyd’s immediate call (29:45): “I had to shoot somebody. He held a gun at us… we had to shoot back.”
- Strickland expresses caution (30:20): “I’ve got to be real careful... we’re the investigating agency.”
- Behind-the-Scenes Influence:
- Strickland (33:18): “I called my people. And the detective who met with you last night was Allen Jones, right?... Well, that’s who I sent out there.”
- Strickland (33:54): “I was working… I was in the shadows last night.”
- Conflict of Interest and Privilege:
- Boyd’s Favors to Police: Free meals, donations, and personal connections to officers.
- Strickland and Boyd Acknowledge Racial Dynamics:
- Strickland (35:52): “Glad it’s a white male.”
- Boyd: “Yes.”
- Strickland: “You'd have really had people running around—white business owner shoots black millionaire…”
8. Mishandling of the Victim’s Remains
- Body & Vehicle Towed Together:
- Boyd (37:03): “I thought… they never took it out. I kind of thought that was odd.”
- Strickland (37:08): “They did it that way… to clear you.”
- Irregular Practice: Experts find this highly improper, possibly illegal, casting further suspicion on the investigation.
9. Jennifer’s Conclusion & Sense of Corruption
- Jennifer’s Discovery (38:07): “Realizing that Scott was never going to have a fighting chance. He never had a fighting chance.”
- Critical Question (38:35): “Who didn’t listen to him? They're here. Am I the only person that has listened to these phone calls?”
- Frustration With Investigators (38:58): “How did it pass through… Horry County Police Department and the Attorney General’s office… and no one listened to these?”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
- Bradley Williams, after the shooting (04:29): “Why couldn't we fucking leave him alone?”
- Boyd (16:37): “And I chased him. Oh, I was on his ass… and he couldn’t. His truck couldn’t outrun my truck, and he knew it. So, yeah, he was terrified.”
- Boyd (20:08): “I know it’s fucked up to say, but I had a fucking blast. I know it’s up, but I’m a fucked up person.”
- Boyd (20:53): “We should go get teardrop tattoos.”
- Williams (21:15): “Battle buddies.”
- Mark Tinsley (22:54): “The Super Bowl was last night. But you just… you just ran a touchdown.”
- Strickland (33:54): “I was working… I was in the shadows last night. I weren't there, but I was in the shadows.”
- Jennifer Foley (38:07): “Realizing that Scott was never going to have a fighting chance.”
- Jennifer Foley (39:21): “I didn’t say these things. I didn’t say any of it. I just pressed play.”
Important Segments / Timestamps
- 00:56 – 06:10: Jennifer finds and reviews the phone call evidence.
- 09:45 – 11:00: Calls immediately after the shooting, establishing Boyd’s state of mind.
- 16:17 – 17:10: Boyd admits to mother that Spivey was scared and being chased.
- 20:08 – 21:22: The disturbing exchange about “having a blast” and joking about teardrop tattoos.
- 22:35 – 23:50: Mark Tinsley listens to calls, prepares for deposition, confronts Boyd with call content.
- 29:11 – 38:07: Boyd’s contacts with Deputy Chief Strickland, revelations about police involvement and practices.
- 38:35 – 39:21: Jennifer’s dawning realization and summary of what the calls expose.
Tone and Language
The episode maintains a serious, investigative, and empathetic tone, with moments of sharp outrage and chillingly casual admissions (as in conversations between Boyd and Williams). Jennifer’s pain and persistence add an emotional core, while the reporting is both clinical and direct in exposing abuses of power.
Conclusion
“A Friend in the Shadows” unearths explosive new details about the Camp Swamp Road killing, suggesting not only that the official story of self-defense may be false, but that personal relationships and systemic loyalties tainted the investigation from the start. The episode ends with Jennifer preparing to go public—her pressing of “play” portending broader consequences to come.
Next Episode Teaser
- Focus: Potential coaching of Boyd by police and new body camera footage.
- Quote (40:01, B): “Are you asking me, can I trust a video with my own eyes?”
- Jennifer (40:07): “I pray that you all sleep tonight knowing that no blind eye can be turned to Scott Stivey anymore.”
For listeners, this episode not only re-examines the killing itself but raises broader questions about justice, privilege, and how deeply community connections can distort the truth.