True Crime All The Time

Episode 429: Jonathan Scott Graham

Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson
Date: April 7, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson (aka Gibby) dive into the chilling true crime story of Jonathan Scott Graham—a peeping Tom whose obsessive voyeurism escalated to murder and rape. The hosts trace the 1986 murder of Gary Larson and the attack on his fiancée and reveal how a seemingly minor peeping case cracked a cold case nearly 20 years later. The episode explores not just the details of the crime, but also the evolution of criminal behavior, flaws in forensic investigation, and profound effects on the victim and her loved ones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction and Background

• The Crime: On August 16, 1986, in Edmond, Oklahoma, Gary Larson, age 27, was stabbed to death in his home after investigating a disturbance. His fiancée was then bound and raped by the same intruder.
• The case remained unsolved for nearly two decades.
• Initial Investigation: Early suspicion included people close to the couple, but no solid leads or motives surfaced for years.

"Anytime you have a pretty cold case...the way that a cold case gets solved is always very fascinating.” (Mike Ferguson, 04:48)

2. Victims and Impact

• Gary Larson: Outgoing CPA described by friends as kind and down-to-earth. His sister Diane recounted their close bond.
• Unpublished fiancée (survivor): Experienced unimaginable trauma, yet demonstrated resilience and empathy, worrying more for Gary’s family than herself.

"She was so good to us when she was so hurt...She was trying to comfort us. She was really very special." (Gary’s sister Diane Clary recalling the fiancée, 19:04)

3. Crime Scene Details

• Attack details: The intruder, barefoot and in his underwear and gloves, stabbed Gary 24 times and raped his fiancée at knifepoint for three hours, leaving a trail of bare bloody footprints.
• Entry Method: Entered through a cut window screen, likely after casing the house from behind cover. Multiple luminol-aided discoveries aided investigation.

"There was the outline of a bloody, bare footprint, which investigators thought was unusual." (Mike Ferguson, 14:02)

4. Peeping Tom and Escalating Sexual Predation

• The suspect was believed to be a local voyeur whose behavior escalated over time.
• Strong suspect profile: White male in early 20s, familiar with the neighborhood, possibly living at home—indicative of someone with serious issues engaging in increasingly bold sexual crimes.
• FBI Profile: Reinforced sexual frustration and misogyny, short temper, and likelihood of further offenses.

“He possesses tendencies indicative of a serial killer, and authorities feared he would strike again.” (Mike Ferguson, 30:38)

5. False Arrest and the Risks of Eyewitness Misidentification

• John Brent Johnson was wrongfully charged and identified by the fiancée amid controversy regarding the suggestive police lineup methods, but later exonerated via DNA and footprint evidence.

"He was facing death...and a murder conviction...But it's a scary thought that someone could be charged and even convicted for murder and not have committed the murder." (Mike Ferguson, 40:54)

6. Case Goes Cold—Until Another Peeping Incident (2004)

• Breakthrough: In 2004, Detective Scott Day caught Jonathan Scott Graham, age 38, as a Peeping Tom near the old crime scene, dressed in black and barefoot.

“He was barefoot…dressed all in black lying on the ground…The man was soon identified as 38-year-old Jonathan Scott Graham.” (Mike Ferguson, 46:50)

• Evidence: Graham’s computer was full of voyeuristic and child pornography. His history included previous arrests for peeping, carrying weapons, and being found with an ominous collection of burglary and assault tools.

7. Forensic Evidence Finally Links Graham

• Footprint Match: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Graham’s footprint matched the 1986 crime scene.
• DNA confirmation: Late May brought conclusive DNA links to the assault.
• Legal Hurdles: Despite the evidence, prosecutors couldn’t charge Graham for the rape due to statute of limitations. Eventually, via plea deal, he pled guilty to murder, rape, and burglary (the latter two included in the plea for a comprehensive sentence).

"He was rearrested on felony peeping tom charges...He was held without bond." (Mike Ferguson, 53:00)

8. Graham’s Confession

• Graham confessed to randomly selecting the victim after seeing her undressed through a bathroom window. He returned to the house with a knife intending to rape her, unexpectedly encountered Gary, and killed him in a panic.
• Motive: He described enjoying the feeling of control during his crimes.

"Because that's what I came for...control. Doing whatever I want to do." (Graham, paraphrased, 60:01)

• The hosts discuss the well-documented progression from voyeurism to physical sexual crimes and the likelihood Graham committed other undetected crimes.

9. Aftermath and Reflections

• Victims’ Strength: The hosts praise Gary’s fiancée’s courage and resilience and highlight the complexity of victim misidentification.
• Justice: Graham pled guilty in 2005, receiving life sentences without parole.
• Ongoing Mystery: As of 2025, no other crimes have been definitively linked to Graham, but the hosts doubt the 1986 assault was his only violent offense.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On The Footprint:
  “I don’t imagine a lot of burglars kind of going in barefoot.” (Mike Ferguson, 14:03)
• On Control as Motive:
  "Because that's what I came for... Control. Doing whatever I want to do." (Jonathan Graham, paraphrased confession, 60:01)
• On the Survivor’s Strength:
  “She was so good to us when she was so hurt... trying to comfort us. She was just crushed.” (Diane Clary, 19:04)
• On Misidentification/Justice:
  "But it's a scary thought that someone could be charged and even convicted for murder and not have committed the murder." (Mike Ferguson, 40:54)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 05:51 – Case synopsis & introduction of Gary Larson and fiancée
• 09:39 – Attack details: Intruder seen in briefs and gloves; start of the ordeal
• 12:31 – Detective Scott Day arrives, crime scene details
• 14:28 – Luminol reveals footprints and entry method
• 17:27 – Peeping Tom theory and stalking discussed
• 19:04 – Sister Diane Clary’s recollection of fiancée's compassion
• 30:34 – FBI profile analysis
• 34:30 – John Brent Johnson wrongly arrested; case context
• 40:54 – Exoneration of Johnson via DNA and footprint tests
• 46:50 – 2004: Graham caught as a peeping Tom, the major break
• 53:00 – Computer evidence; Graham held without bond
• 54:11 – Statute of limitations prevents rape charge
• 58:08 – Graham's confession; his process and the chilling specificity
• 63:53 – Current (2025) status: Graham still not linked to other crimes

Tone and Style

The hosts approach the subject with empathy for the victims and survivors while using moments of humor and levity to break the tension—a hallmark of their style. They avoid sensationalism but refuse to spare the distressing details that underline the horror of these crimes. Their commentary is honest, sometimes self-deprecating, and always focused on the gravity of the violence discussed.

Conclusion

This episode is a harrowing deep-dive into one of Edmond, Oklahoma’s most disturbing crimes and a stark look at how peeping and voyeurism can escalate to unimaginable violence. It serves as both a remembrance of Gary Larson and a salute to his fiancée’s strength, as well as a cautionary tale about the risks of misidentification in criminal justice. The hosts leave listeners both sobered and deeply aware of the importance of perseverance in solving cold cases.

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