Who Killed Jennifer Judd? - Episode 6: A New Suspect

Release Date: September 18, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 6 of "Who Killed Jennifer Judd?", titled "A New Suspect," host Sarah Cailean delves deeper into the unresolved 1992 murder of Jennifer Judd. This episode marks a significant turn in the investigation as new suspects emerge, forensic evidence is re-examined, and attempts are made to engage Jeremy Jones, a convicted murderer whose involvement has been a point of contention.

Revisiting Forensic Evidence

The episode opens with Sarah collaborating with Raina Dell'Orocco, a renowned crime scene expert and Chief of Forensic Sciences for the Baltimore Police Department. Together, they meticulously review the original case files and crime scene photographs to unearth overlooked evidence.

Key Discussions:

• Fingerprint Analysis: Sarah expresses frustration over the absence of fingerprints matching Jeremy Jones on the murder weapon. She states, "I still can't believe they didn't compare the fingerprint on the knife blade to the fingerprints of Jeremy Jones" (12:45).

• The Bloodied Towel: A significant point of debate revolves around a white towel found in a laundry basket at Jennifer's residence, covered in blood. Raina suggests, "There's a good chance that whoever did this could have cut themselves in the attack" (25:30), indicating the potential for additional DNA evidence that could shed light on the perpetrator's identity.

• Carpet Evidence: The duo discusses the absence of blood spatter in a specific area of the apartment, leading Raina to propose testing a section of the carpet for traces left by the assailant. "If he moved her, he likely would have dripped blood while doing so" (27:15).

Introducing a New Suspect: Alan Redden

As the investigation progresses, Sarah turns her attention to Alan Redden, a man with a troubling criminal history that includes sexual assault and domestic violence.

Profile of Alan Redden:

• Criminal Background: Redden has a long record of offenses, with a conviction for rape in December 1995. Notably, his modus operandi involves the use of knives in violent crimes, aligning with the murder weapon in Jennifer's case.

• Connection to the Case: Redden admitted to a rape three years after Jennifer's murder and was arrested for armed robbery shortly after her death. Furthermore, reports indicate that Redden harassed Jennifer at Picture Express on two separate occasions, leading to police intervention.

Critical Insight: Sarah uncovers that Redden was not at work on the day of Jennifer's murder, contrary to his alibi. "He had a history of sexual assault. He had a history of physical assault on women, and he flat out denies any involvement in this" (45:20). This discrepancy significantly undermines his credibility.

Outreach to Jeremy Jones

Parallel to investigating Alan Redden, Sarah attempts to re-establish contact with Jeremy Jones, whose confessions have been a pivotal yet controversial element of the case.

Communication Efforts:

• Initial Contact: Sarah reaches out to Jones through mutual acquaintances, including Chris Hausch, a friend of Jennifer's, hoping to elicit more information or a potential confession.

• Responses from Jones: Early emails from Jones appear indifferent, but subsequent replies reveal a shift in his demeanor. After a period of silence, Jones becomes more engaging, expressing a desire to communicate more directly. "I have a lot we can catch up on. God bless you all, jj." (1:10:45).

• Suspicious Behavior: Despite the increased communication, Jones exhibits unsettling behavior, hinting at manipulative intentions. Chris notes, "There is innuendo kind of flirting with plausible deniability. Most women can sense this shift..." (1:25:30).

Rebuilding the Investigation

With new leads emerging, Sarah returns to the region bordering Kansas and Oklahoma to pursue multiple avenues in the investigation.

Strategic Moves:

• Sheriff's Office Collaboration: Following the retirement of Sheriff David Groves, Sarah secures her position by being deputized, ensuring uninterrupted access to case materials and evidence.

• Locating Physical Evidence: Efforts intensify to retrieve missing evidence from the Baxter Springs police headquarters and potentially the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) lab. Sarah emphasizes the importance of DNA testing, stating, "If we can get them to keep inching closer to being his true self with Chris, at some point he may begin to open up about things that really matter" (1:50:00).

• Tracking Alan Redden: Utilizing connections within the Sheriff's Office, Sarah and Detective Joel Taber uncover Redden's last known address in Sand Spring, Oklahoma. Despite initial challenges, they determine Redden's current location, setting the stage for a potential confrontation.

Confronting Alan Redden

Sarah's journey to Sand Spring leads to a tense encounter at Redden's last known address. Although Redden is not present, Sarah successfully conveys the urgency of the investigation to a neighbor, reinforcing the necessity of Redden's cooperation: "I am with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office... we would love it if he'd give a call" (2:15:30).

Closing the Loop and Future Steps

As the episode draws to a close, Sarah reflects on the intertwined paths of forensic evidence, emerging suspects, and the elusive truth behind Jennifer Judd's murder.

Key Takeaways:

• Potential Breakthroughs: With Alan Redden's possible involvement and the pending DNA results from the bloodied towel, the investigation gains momentum toward identifying the true culprit.

• Jeremy Jones' Role: Jones' fluctuating involvement remains a wildcard. Should he provide more substantial information, it could either solidify his confession or expose further complexities in the case.

• Awaiting Results: Sarah prepares to await the lab results from California, hoping that DNA evidence will provide the definitive answers needed to finally resolve the 32-year-old mystery.

Conclusion

Episode 6, "A New Suspect," significantly advances the investigation into Jennifer Judd's murder by re-examining forensic evidence and introducing Alan Redden as a formidable new suspect. Concurrent efforts to engage Jeremy Jones add layers of intrigue and uncertainty, keeping listeners on the edge as the search for truth intensifies. As Sarah Cailean navigates through a labyrinth of clues and confessions, the path to uncovering who killed Jennifer Judd becomes ever more intricate and compelling.

Note: All timestamps in quotes are indicative and correspond to the key moments within the episode.