BONUS: The Asha Degree Case: The Dedmons Speak

Summary

Podcast Title: The Prosecutors
Episode: BONUS: The Asha Degree Case: The Dedmons Speak
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Host: Alice and Brett
Guest: Skip Foster, Spokesperson for the Dedman Family

Introduction of the Guest

In this bonus episode, Alice and Brett welcome Skip Foster, the spokesperson for the Dedman family, who have been subjects of warrants in the ongoing Asha Degree case.

[02:02] Skip Foster: "I'm honored to be here. You all got a great show with a fantastic reputation, and Brett is indeed wonderful."

Background of the Asha Degree Case

Asha Degree disappeared on the night of February 13-14, 2000, and has remained missing for over 25 years. The case has garnered significant attention, leading to multiple search warrants and public scrutiny of the Dedman family.

[03:35] Alice: "The Asha Degree case remains an open case to this day. She has not been seen since she left home."

Examination of Warrants and Evidence

Skip Foster discusses recent developments, including two search warrants issued in September 2024 and February 2025. These warrants implicated the Dedman parents and their daughters, Lizzie Grace, Sarah, and Annalee Dedman.

[07:04] Brett: "There were a number of warrants for different properties... and now the Deadmans are facing... their parents and sisters named in the warrants."

Discrepancies in Evidence: The Rambler vs. Lincoln Continental

A central piece of evidence involves a 1964 AMC Rambler registered to Roy Dedman, which law enforcement theorizes was involved in Asha's disappearance. However, eyewitnesses described a 1970s green Lincoln Thunderbird, leading Skip to highlight significant discrepancies.

[21:04] Alice: "The date of the transfer of the vehicle is a month after Asha's disappearance."

[21:38] Skip Foster: "This is a big problem. The car mentioned in the affidavits wasn't one of Roy's vehicles... It was the green AMC Rambler, which allegedly fits the description of the Lincoln, which it doesn't."

DNA Evidence Concerns

DNA allegedly belonging to Annalee Dedman, the 13-year-old daughter, was found in Asha's backpack. Skip questions the validity and relevance of this evidence, emphasizing the lack of connection between Annalee and Asha.

[47:03] Skip Foster: "We don't know the reliability of the DNA evidence itself... it's a pretty thin connection absent pretty much any other evidence."

Witness Testimonies and Polygraph Results

The episode delves into testimonies from Thad Melantine and Mickey Cooper. While Mickey provides information that contradicts the police's theory, Thad claims to have heard a Dedman daughter confess at a party. Additionally, both Sarah Dedman and Connie Dedman passed polygraph tests, which Skip points out were omitted from the warrants.

[28:21] Alice: "Are there any closer in time statements where he told someone, even if it wasn't police or he wrote down somewhere?"

[32:55] Alice: "Charges haven't been filed, but theories within warrants are put in for not reasonable doubt, but for probable cause in order to investigate cases."

Analysis of Text Messages

Text exchanges between the Dedman sisters reveal fears about their father's implication in the case. Skip interprets these messages as reactions to police pressure rather than admissions of guilt.

[51:08] Alice: "Is that Annalee or anyone in the Deadman family remember that to be their shirt?"

[54:41] Brett: "If my dad's involved, he's involved, but I didn't have anything to do with it."

[54:54] Skip Foster: "That's completely plausible explanation for that."

Family Unity and Pressures

Skip emphasizes the unity of the Dedman family in maintaining their innocence and the pressures they face from both law enforcement and public scrutiny.

[62:05] Skip Foster: "Absolutely. Absolutely. Our call to talk about whether to take this step was all five members of the family."

[64:44] Brett: "We want Asha to be found... we want the truth to be out there."

Conclusion and Final Remarks

The episode concludes with Alice and Brett acknowledging the complexities of the case and the importance of not succumbing to online mob justice. They encourage listeners to remain open-minded and support the ongoing investigation.

[66:15] Alice: "We appreciate you coming on, telling the Deadman side of the story."

[67:21] Alice: "This is a case that we are invested in. It's been 25 years, and we truly hope that the family gets answers soon."

[68:12] Outro: [The Zebra advertisement plays, which is not included in the summary as per instructions.]

Key Takeaways:

Discrepancies in Evidence: The description of the vehicle and the timeline of its ownership raise significant doubts about the legitimacy of the police's theory implicating the Dedman family.
DNA Evidence: The presence of Annalee Dedman's DNA in Asha's belongings is unsubstantiated and lacks a coherent connection to the case.
Witness Reliability: Testimonies from Thad Melantine and Mickey Cooper present conflicting narratives, highlighting potential flaws in the investigation's focus.
Family's Stance: The Dedman family's unanimous support underscores their belief in their innocence and the challenges they face due to public and legal pressures.
Importance of Due Process: Alice and Brett stress the necessity of allowing the judicial process to unfold without interference from online detractors or premature judgments.

This episode provides a critical perspective on the Asha Degree case, shedding light on potential oversights and biases in the investigation. By presenting the Dedman family's side, the hosts encourage a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in long-standing cold cases.