The Real Killer: Season 3, Episode 16 – "The Perfect Case"

Release Date: May 8, 2025

Overview

In the gripping sixteenth episode of Season 3 of The Real Killer, investigative journalist Leah Rothman delves deeper into the perplexing 1997 murder case of 18-year-old Anastasia WitbolsFeugen. Titled "The Perfect Case," this episode confronts lingering questions and controversies surrounding Byron Case's conviction. As the podcast approaches its finale, Rothman engages directly with Byron and his legal team, dissecting inconsistencies in testimonies, scrutinizing evidence, and challenging the narratives that have long dominated public perception.

Key Discussions and Insights

1. Addressing Legal Challenges

   The episode begins with Leah Rothman addressing a recent conflict with Byron's legal team regarding discrepancies in previous podcast episodes, specifically the "Littering Case" involving Kelly Moffatt.

   Leah Rothman [02:48]: "I've never lost sight that this whole podcast and investigation is an attempt to get to the Truth about what happened to Anastasia."

2. Interview with Byron Case

   Rothman conducts a revealing interview with Byron Case, accompanied by his lead attorney, Brian Russell. The discussion centers on Kelly Moffatt's credibility and the validity of her claims against Byron.

   • Kelly's Allegations: Kelly accuses Byron of murdering Anastasia, asserting she witnessed the act and claims Byron threatened her life simultaneously.

   • Byron's Defense: Byron vehemently denies all accusations, emphasizing the lack of physical evidence and challenging the reliability of Kelly's statements.

   Byron Case [09:35]: "She wants people to believe her... she really didn't use that to her advantage much."

3. Dissecting Kelly Moffatt's Testimonies

   A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes Kelly Moffatt's various testimonies over the years, highlighting inconsistencies and alleged fabrications.

   • Stun Gun Incident: Kelly claims Byron had a stun gun attached to his car and used it to assault a homeless individual, a story Byron refutes.

     Byron Case [18:21]: "I have absolutely no recall of anything like that happening."

   • Necrophilia Claims: Kelly accuses Byron of disturbing acts post-murder, which Byron categorically denies, labeling the accusations as "absurd."

     Leah Rothman [29:57]: "No, absolutely not."

   • Planned Murder of Byron’s Father: Kelly alleges a conspiracy to kill Byron's father to spare him from a prolonged death, a claim Byron finds reprehensible and baseless.

     Leah Rothman [32:03]: "That plan never existed...It's just more bullshit."

4. Timeline Discrepancies

   The episode highlights conflicting timelines presented by various witnesses, complicating the narrative of the events leading to Anastasia's death.

   • Anastasia's Movement: Discrepancies arise regarding Anastasia's whereabouts on the night of October 22nd, with conflicting accounts of her being at Dairy Queen, Mount Washington Cemetery, and her subsequent movements.

     Byron Case [48:18]: "Rush hour. Yeah, it was rush hour on a Wednesday."

   • Clothing Inconsistencies: Witnesses provide varying descriptions of Anastasia's attire, raising questions about the accuracy of their memories.

     Byron Case [75:10]: "And in terms of memory...They talked. It seems like they talked about borrowing."

5. Forensic Evidence and Physical Clues

   The podcast delves into the forensic findings, questioning the absence of the murder weapon and the implications of Anastasia's biological evidence.

   • Absence of Gun at the Scene: Despite the violent nature of the crime, no firearm was found at the location, fueling theories of a staged scene or evidence tampering.

     Ryan Reynolds [84:45]: "Plus, it would have...the energy from the gunshot could disperse."

   • Blood Evidence: Discussions revolve around the presence of menstrual blood and what it indicates about the timeline and events post-assault.

     Danielle Fishel [85:25]: "No matter what she was wearing, there should be some blood on it."

6. Legal Implications and Brady Violations

   Byron's legal team emphasizes procedural missteps during his trial, particularly the failure to disclose Kelly's criminal history, which is a significant Brady violation.

   Byron Case [110:31]: "What she did was try to rely on the fact that the investigation was stupid and botched."

7. Eyewitness Reliability and Memory Malleability

   The reliability of eyewitness testimonies is a recurring theme, with Rothman and Byron's team challenging the accuracy of witnesses like Dawn Wright and Bob Whitbowl's accounts.

   Danielle Fishel [75:43]: "Solomon Sollitt backs up Dawn Wright and says that whatever Dawn said Anastasia was wearing is what she was wearing."

8. Concluding Perspectives

   As the episode nears its end, all parties reiterate their stances:

   • Byron and His Team: Maintain Byron's innocence, citing lack of evidence and questioning the integrity of key witnesses.

   • Rothman’s Investigation: Continues to sift through evidence, emphasizing the need for logical consistency and factual accuracy over sensational claims.

   Ryan Reynolds [112:59]: "Yeah, I believe Byron is actually innocent."

Notable Quotes

• Leah Rothman [35:01]: "I refuse, both morally and constitutionally, I will not do the same because I don't know..."

• Byron Case [26:55]: "That's all I have to say about that."

• Ryan Reynolds [86:36]: "But I don't think it's inconceivable that when the bullet passed through her head, that it deflected part of that material out..."

• Danielle Fishel [115:42]: "I believe Byron is innocent because I've done the investigation."

Conclusion

"The Perfect Case" serves as a pivotal episode in The Real Killer series, intensifying the scrutiny on Byron Case's conviction and the pivotal role of Kelly Moffatt's testimonies. Through meticulous examination of timelines, witness reliability, and forensic evidence, Leah Rothman presents a compelling narrative that challenges established beliefs. As the season closes, listeners are left contemplating the complexities of justice, the fallibility of memory, and the enduring quest for truth in the face of conflicting narratives.

For Listeners

If you're eager to uncover more about this case and the journey towards justice for Anastasia WitbolsFeugen, ensure you subscribe to The Real Killer on your preferred podcast platform. Follow the podcast on Instagram and TikTok for updates and behind-the-scenes insights.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.