This Doesn't Happen to People Like Me: Episode 5 – Justice Denied?

Release Date: March 14, 2025
Host: Mike Boudet
Series: Sword and Scale

Introduction

In Episode 5 of This Doesn't Happen to People Like Me, titled "Justice Denied?", host Mike Boudet delves deeper into the harrowing case of Tina Lohman, a 77-year-old grandmother whose life was brutally shattered by a violent crime. This episode explores the complexities of the legal battle that ensued following Tina's tragic assault and untimely death, highlighting the emotional turmoil faced by her family and the challenges prosecutors encountered in seeking justice.

Recap of Tina Lohman's Tragic Story

The episode begins with a poignant reminder of Tina Lohman's ordeal. On the evening of November 9, 2021, Tina was subjected to a series of heinous crimes by Bradley Yawn and Karen Blackledge. As Mike Boudet narrates:

[00:27] Prosecutor Josh Jones: "Tina was told repeatedly they would kill her if she did not comply with their demands."

Tina endured robbery, physical violence, and sexual assault, leaving her family and the town in profound shock.

Bradley Yawn's Criminal Past and Mistaken Release

A significant focus of this episode is Bradley Yawn's extensive criminal history, which includes multiple misdemeanors and felonies across Illinois and Missouri. Prosecutor Laura Keck outlines his past offenses:

[02:32] Prosecutor Laura Keck: "Sentences to the various departments of corrections in Illinois and Missouri including three years, three years, three years, five years, four."

Despite his long criminal record, a clerical error at the St. Charles County Jail led to Bradley's inadvertent release on October 22, 2021. This mistake proved fatal, as Bradley was free to carry out his violent crimes against Tina shortly after his release.

The Assault and Its Immediate Aftermath

Following Bradley and Karen's arrest on November 10, 2021, the community believed Tina was on the path to recovery. However, her resilience was short-lived:

[07:10] Prosecutor Laura Keck: "And you were with Tina pretty much every day from November 9th to when she passed away on December 12th?"

Tina struggled with the physical and emotional pain from her assault, ultimately succumbing to heart failure just a month later. Her family staunchly believes that the trauma inflicted by her attackers directly led to her untimely death.

Prosecutors' Dilemma: Charging Decisions

The core of this episode examines the difficult decision prosecutors faced in charging Bradley Yawn and Karen Blackledge. While the family sought murder charges, Prosecutors Josh Jones and Laura Keck opted for a different legal strategy:

[24:29] Prosecutor Laura Keck: "They were not charged with murder. We did have an autopsy done on Ms. Loman to determine a cause of death... there was just not enough evidence for us to feel confident."

Instead of pursuing first-degree murder charges, the prosecutors decided to charge the perpetrators with a series of other serious crimes, aiming to secure lengthy prison sentences that would effectively remove them from society for life.

Family's Struggle with the Legal Outcome

Tina's family expressed profound disappointment and frustration with the prosecutorial decisions:

[27:40] Prosecutor Josh Jones: "As prosecutors, our job is to seek justice for what we believe we can actually prove."

[28:45] Tina's Family Member: "When I first learned that murder charges weren't going to happen, I was very upset... I really wish her death would have been investigated further."

The family grappled with the emotional devastation of losing Tina and the feeling that justice was not fully served, as the attackers were not held accountable for her death in a court of law.

Prosecutors' Legal Strategy and its Implications

Prosecutors Jones and Keck articulated their rationale for not pursuing murder charges, emphasizing the importance of evidence beyond a reasonable doubt:

[25:10] Mike Boudet: "Charge, instead of bringing murder charges against Bradley and Karen, prosecutors decided to charge them with a slew of other crimes."

[26:15] Mike Boudet: "Essentially, prosecutors Josh Jones and Laura Keck developed a strategy that, if successful, would put Bradley and Karen behind bars for a very long time."

Their approach focused on securing convictions for home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, vehicular hijacking, criminal sexual assault, and residential burglary, believing these charges were more substantiated by the available evidence.

Courtroom Turmoil and Trial Proceedings

As the case progressed to trial, unexpected developments emerged, revealing the tumultuous nature of the legal process. Bradley Yawn chose to defend himself, leading to chaotic courtroom dynamics:

[31:25] Tina's Family Member: "I had secondhand embarrassment a majority of the time. Eyes were rolled, sighs were sighed."

Karen Blackledge's courtroom behavior further alienated the family, adding to their anguish and sense of injustice.

Conclusion: A Quest for Justice Begins Anew

Episode 5 concludes on a tense note, hinting at the dramatic and unsettling events that unfolded during the trial. The prosecution's strategic decisions, while legally sound, left Tina's family feeling that true justice was elusive. The episode sets the stage for the subsequent parts of the series, promising deeper exploration into the ramifications of the trial and the lingering quest for accountability.

Notable Quotes

• Prosecutor Laura Keck [00:17]: "He forced her into the passenger seat as they were driving. The man began to force Tina to perform sexual acts on him."

• Tina's Family Member [00:32]: "When I first found out their names, it made it more real. It was like, okay, this is actually. This actually happened."

• Prosecutor Laura Keck [25:10]: "We were going to focus on cases that we knew we could prove with the evidence that we had. And with those cases, we could get a sentence that would basically be the same as a life sentence."

• Tina's Family Member [27:40]: "When I first learned that murder charges weren't going to happen, I was very upset... I really wish her death would have been investigated further."

Key Takeaways

• Systemic Failures: The episode underscores how bureaucratic errors, like the mistaken release of Bradley Yawn, can have catastrophic consequences, highlighting flaws within the correctional system.

• Emotional Toll: Tina's family's journey through trauma, loss, and the pursuit of justice paints a poignant picture of the human cost of violent crimes.

• Legal Complexities: Prosecutors faced moral and legal dilemmas in deciding how best to prosecute the attackers, balancing the pursuit of justice with the constraints of the legal system.

• Community Impact: Tina's death not only devastated her family but also left a lasting scar on the community, illustrating how individual tragedies resonate broadly.

This episode masterfully intertwines factual recounting with emotional narratives, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dance between victims, families, and the legal machinery in the aftermath of a brutal crime.