True Crime Garage Episode 858: Kentucky Fried Chicken Murders /// Part 2

Introduction

In Episode 858 of True Crime Garage, hosts Nic and the Captain delve deeper into the chilling case of the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) murders that occurred in Kilgore, Texas, in 1983. This episode builds upon Part 1, providing a comprehensive exploration of the investigation, the suspects, and the challenges faced by law enforcement over the years.

Overview of the KFC Murders

The episode begins with Nic recounting the horrifying events of the KFC massacre. On a fateful night in 1983, five individuals—Mary Tyler, David Maxwell, Joey Johnson, Opie Hughes, and Monty Landers—were brutally murdered following a robbery at the local KFC restaurant. The victims were later found in a remote oil field in Rusk County, approximately 14 miles south of Kilgore. Each victim was shot in the back of the head with a large-caliber weapon, and the nature of the killings suggested a level of brutality that went beyond a simple robbery.

Nic describes the gruesome discovery: "Four of the bodies, the men and Mary Tyler, were found together, lined up as if they had been executed one by one... the last one must have faced abject terror." (03:00)

Initial Investigation Challenges

The investigation faced significant hurdles from the outset. Being 1983, law enforcement lacked the advanced technology that could have provided more definitive evidence. Nic emphasizes, "The investigation was hampered mostly by the lack of technology to conclusively analyze and give hardcore evidence to the physical evidence that they had at the time" (07:50). Additionally, multiple victims and crime scenes complicated the efforts, with little to no eyewitness accounts available.

Inter-agency communication further hindered progress. Kilgore resides in both Greg and Rusk counties, leading to jurisdictional confusion. Nick explains, "The Kilgore Police Department responding to the abduction site and robbery at the KFC because it is the city of Kilgore... but you have the murder scene where the bodies are found, where the victims were killed in Rusk County" (18:00). This overlap resulted in fragmented resources and inconsistent investigative approaches.

Suspects and Evidence

The podcast details the primary suspects: Jimmy Mankins Jr. and Romeo Pinkerton, cousins with criminal backgrounds. Mankins Jr., a known drug trafficker, became a focal point due to his alibi and subsequent evidence linking him to the crime. "Mankins Jr. is 30 years old at the time, has multiple brushes with the law, mostly thanks to his habit of trafficking drugs" (31:15). Blood evidence played a crucial role, with type O blood found at the scene matching Mankins Jr. Additionally, a sliver of a fingernail from one of the victims was later linked to him, though initially deemed insufficient for conviction (39:00).

Significantly, Darnell Hartsfield, Pinkerton's cousin, was also implicated. Although initially passing a polygraph test, further DNA analysis eventually connected him to the crime. Nick notes, "By Christmas time, all the leads had pretty much dried up in this case... until 2001 that they finally turned a major corner on this case when they linked DNA from the blood evidence to Romeo Pinkerton" (50:00).

Developments Over the Years

As years passed, advancements in forensic technology provided new avenues for investigation. In 1995, after a grand jury convened in Rusk County, both Pinkerton and Hartsfield were indicted. Their trials, however, were fraught with challenges. Mankins Jr. eventually admitted to certain aspects of the crimes but maintained his innocence regarding the murders, leading to conflicting narratives and incomplete convictions.

The episode highlights the pivotal moment in 2001 when DNA evidence conclusively linked Pinkerton to the murders, finally providing the necessary proof for his conviction. "One major piece of evidence was that the blood type matches and the fingernail shard found on Joey Johnson noted a connection to Mankins Jr." (42:00).

Conclusion and Current Status

By the time the episode concludes, Darnell Hartsfield had passed away in prison from a stroke in 2022, effectively sealing his fate without the possibility of further appeals or parole. Romeo Pinkerton remains incarcerated, awaiting further legal proceedings. The possibility of a third perpetrator remains, as some evidence suggests, though this individual has never been apprehended.

Nic and the Captain reflect on the enduring impact of the case, emphasizing the relentless pursuit of justice despite numerous setbacks. They recommend further reading to listeners interested in delving deeper into the case, including "The KFC Murders: The Deadly Saga of the Infamous East Texas 1983 KFC Massacre" by Jackie Hilborn Simmons and Kenneth Dean, as well as relevant episodes of Cold Case Files.

Notable Quotes

• Nic: "This was leading authorities to believe that she had found the opportunity to try to escape... still clutching clumps of dirt and grass in her hand." (06:30)

• The Captain: "Yeah, hashtag ban the van." (14:58)

• Nic: "It's like a good plaster cast of those tire tracks... really disrupted." (21:17)

• The Captain: "All right, everybody gather round, grab a chair, grab a beer. Let's talk some true crime." (03:15)

Recommended Reading

• The KFC Murders: The Deadly Saga of the Infamous East Texas 1983 KFC Massacre by Jackie Hilborn Simmons and Kenneth Dean
• Cold Case Files with Bill Curtis, episode titled "Friday Night Ghost"

For more detailed information and additional resources, listeners are encouraged to visit TrueCrimeGarage.com.

Final Thoughts

Episode 858 provides a thorough examination of the KFC murders, illustrating the complex interplay between technology, inter-agency cooperation, and the relentless drive for justice in cold cases. Nic and the Captain offer insightful analysis and maintain a captivating narrative throughout, making this episode a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts seeking an in-depth understanding of one of East Texas's most notorious unsolved crimes.