A woman's suspicious death kicks off a whirlwind investigation that questions the initial ruling of suicide. Family dynamics come to the forefront as hidden truths and past infidelities surface, complicating the emotional landscape. The fight for justice becomes personal, with a sister's relentless pursuit to help her wrongfully convicted brother. Tensions escalate in a small town, weaving tales of grief, rumors, and shocking courtroom revelations that could turn the case on its head. Can the truth finally emerge from the chaos?
The initial investigation into Lisa Jennings' death was flawed, raising questions about the integrity of evidence handling and police procedures.
Brad Jennings' struggle for justice highlights the importance of persistent advocacy and thorough re-evaluation in wrongful conviction cases.
Deep dives
The Turbulent Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve 2006, a family celebration was marred by a fierce argument between Brad and Lisa Jennings, revealing cracks in their seemingly stable marriage. The couple had three children and had appear to enjoy a good life, but frequent fights, often fueled by alcohol, hinted at underlying issues. That night, after dinner with family, tensions escalated, leading to Lisa being found dead in their bedroom by their children. Initial investigations suggested a suicide, with gunshot residue on Lisa's hand and none on Brad's, which would later spark controversy and conflict over the truth of what happened.
Doubts Surrounding the Official Ruling
Despite the official ruling of suicide, family members expressed skepticism regarding Lisa's mental state, questioning whether she would take her own life. Brad, devastated by the event, fully cooperated with authorities while the Jennings family struggled with the chaos following the incident. As rumors began to circulate about Lisa's possible affair and the true nature of her death, those close to Lisa, including her sister, sought to reopen the case. Their suspicions led them to approach the Missouri State Highway Patrol to investigate further, indicating a belief that something was amiss.
The Investigation Reopened
As new evidence came to light, including a lack of gunshot residue on Brad's clothing, doubts grew about the fairness of the original investigation. Concerns about the integrity of the initial investigator surfaced, particularly about the mishandling of evidence and lack of testing on crucial items. Detective Dan Nash had previously assured that tests supporting Brad’s innocence had been conducted; however, records of those tests were suspiciously missing. Ultimately, the growing evidence and support from Brad's family led to efforts to challenge the original conviction.
A Fight for Justice
After spending eight and a half years in prison, Brad's case was finally re-evaluated, leading to a significant breakthrough in the legal battle. His new legal team uncovered the concealed gunshot residue test results, which pointed to his innocence and the mishandling of evidence by investigators. In 2018, a judge granted an overturned conviction, declaring that the suppression of crucial evidence undermined confidence in the original verdict. This moment marked a bittersweet victory for Brad, who, having returned to his family, now faces the ongoing struggle for his complete exoneration.
When a woman is found dead in her home, it's ruled a suicide. But when a new investigation begins, police question if this is a murder case. Will the truth be revealed? Keith Morrison reports.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode