Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Man kills roommate over dog dispute. Jackson Romrell has 14 'Fill in' dads.  For the latest crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nancy Grace sits down with high-profile defense attorney, Dale Carson, and former homicide detective, Chris McDonough, to discuss Bryan Kohberger's defense strategy. The 28-year-old graduate student claims he has an alibi for the night of the killings and that the DNA tying him to the crime scene "was planted." With three other samples of unidentified male DNA discovered in the King Road home, Kohberger's lawyers may rely heavily on a "Some Other Dude" defense. Join us to hear Carson and McDonough's thoughts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Dennis Rader, the serial killer dubbed BTK, was arrested in 2005, lots of documentation was found by the Wichita police: documentation in the form of his own writings, journals, and an unpublished book manuscript. The manuscript is thought to be a description of the murders BTK viewed as “successful. There were Polaroids of Rader dressed like his victims and in the “state” in which their murders occurs,… bound, partially buried, or hanging upside down.   The  Osage County Sheriff’s Office investigators have poured over Rader’s writings looking for links to local unsolved crimes, and the information inside led police to search the property where Rader and his family lived.  During their search of the property, investigators found  " trophies" from at least one woman. Investigators also found chains apparently used for bondage, along with C-clips.  C-clips can shorten chains or be used to secure a person’s legs or feet.  We know that a pantyhose ligature was found.  Other items found have not been described publicly.  Joining Nancy Grace Today: Tjuana Boulanger- Friend of Cynthia (Cindy) Dawn Kinney Dale Carson– High-profile Criminal Defense Attorney (Jacksonville), Former FBI Agent & Former Police Officer (Miami-Dade County); Author: “Arrest-Proof Yourself; Twitter: @DaleCarsonLaww  Dr. Bethany Marshall –  Psychoanalyst (Beverly Hills); Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall; Twitter:@DrBethanyLive Sheriff Eddie Virden- Osage County Sheryl McCollum – Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder & Host of New Podcast: “Zone 7;” Twitter: @149Zone7 Dr. Kendall Crowns – Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: University of Texas Austin and Texas Christian University Medical School Nicole Partin – CrimeOnline.com Investigative Reporter; Twitter: @nicoleparti See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wanted felon shoots girlfriend, drives through three states with her body in the passenger seat. Frustrated pilot chops down parking gate arm.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The father and stepmom of a New York man killed during a vacation watched via Zoom as the man who confessed to the murder was released from jail to get a haircut.  Gregory Moore, a father of four, and friends rented a home in Houston, an Airbnb. After a night of clubbing, the men returned to their Airbnb. As one of the men parked the car, Moore and a woman with the group walked to the door. They never made it inside.  A man wearing a hoodie and carrying a flashlight rushed Moore.  Moore was pistol-whipped and shot multiple times. He took strikes to the neck, torso, left leg and both arms. Moore was life-flighted to a hospital but did not survive.   James Ray Lane, 33, confessed to the murder, but 351st Criminal District Court Judge Nata Cornelio allowed the defendant to remain free.    When Lane was charged, Judge Cornelio lowered Lane's $250,000 bond to $100,000, and during that time Lane has had multiple curfew violations.  Back before Judge Cornelio, Lane pleads guilty to murder, but the judge according to court documents allows Lane to remain free on bond until his sentencing, so he could get a haircut. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Tabitha Soules - Gregory Moore’s Stepmom Brian Foley -  Board-certified Criminal Defense Attorney, Former Chief Prosecutor in Harris County, (Houston) Texas; Author: “What Prosecutors Don't Tell You” (not yet published); Instagram @brianfoleylawpllc/ Youtube - @brianfoleylawyer/ Twitter @brianpllc  Dr. Carla Manly - Clinical Psychologist, Author “Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly” Douglas Griffin - Houston Police Officer for 32 Years and President of the Houston Police Officer’s Union; Twitter & Instagram: @Griff3945  Andy Kahan - Director of Victim Services and Advocacy at CrimeStoppers of Houston Randy Wallace - Reporter for KRIV Fox26 in Houston; Twitter: RandyWallace Fox26/ Facebook: Randy WallaceFox26   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kentucky man kidnaps his child's mother, chains her to the ground using dog collar. 'Porch pirate' takes on a whole new meaning.   For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two women go missing within six miles of each other in Winter Park, Colorado.   Melissa Whitsitt moved from Tennessee to Colorado in May to start a job at Winter Park Resort, almost 70 miles outside Denver. Mom Cindy Whitsett says her daughter had two days off and was supposed to return to work on Tuesday, August 15th. Whitsitt didn’t show up for her shift the police are called and a welfare check is complete. Whitsitt is not at her home. Police have confirmed that she got on a bus to Denver on Saturday around 10 a.m. She was wearing blue bell-bottom jeans, a blue tank top and/or a white sweatshirt.   The Whitsitts say their daughter's phone pinged in Denver, but an unknown man was using it. Melissa Whitsitt's debit card has not been used since she went missing. Whitsitt doesn't have a car and hasn't contacted friends or family since the day she was last seen. Whisitt's parents say they have had to conduct their own investigation, as cops say they're outnumbered by missing people cases.  Svetlana Ustimenko is an avid hiker living in Broward County, Florida, according to the Idaho Statesman. Family members say Ustimenko had been drawn to the peaceful Colorado mountains. After finding her rental car had not been returned by the due date and learning that Ustimenko was reported as missing from Florida, authorities launched an immediate search around the area where her vehicle was located on August 11. According to a news release from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, the Grand County Search and Rescue, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Rescue Dogs of the United States, Colorado Search and Rescue as well as drones and volunteers, began searching for Ustimenko.  Six cadaver dogs joined the search efforts to no avail. Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jerry Whitsitt - Melissa Whitsitt’s father  Cindy Whitsitt- Melissa Whitsitt’s mother  Wendy Patrick – California Prosecutor, Author of “Why Bad Looks Good” and “Red Flags,” and Host of “Today with Dr. Wendy” on KCBQ in San Diego; Twitter: @WendyPatrickPHD R. Lee Walters - President of EXCALIBUR Private Investigation, Fmr. FBI Special Agent; FB: Excalibur Private Investigations Dr. Carla Manly - Clinical Psychologist, Author of, “Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly” Spencer McKee - Director of Content for OutThere Colorado; IG: @spence.outside; @outtherecolorado, Twitter/X: @spencemckee  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mom dies shielding young son from gunfire. This McDonald's customer was not loving it.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neighbors, noticing the unusual absence of 71-year-old Margaret Craig, request that police perform a well-visit check at her residence. Responding police officers are invited into the home, and upon entering the basement, they are met with the smell of decomposition and copious amounts of blood near plastic trash bags. Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack delve into the disturbing case of Margaret Craig, whose life allegedly ended at the hands of her own daughter and granddaughter. They navigate the complicated nature of the crime scene investigation, discussing the disposal of human remains, the increasing prevalence of dismemberment cases, and the psychological aspect of perpetrators becoming comfortable with such gruesome acts. Joseph Scott and Dave also explore the complexities of forensic analysis, focusing on the methodology and tools used in these horrific acts. They also discuss the challenges faced by investigators in determining the sequence of events and how these intricacies could impact the jury's decision.   Subscribe to Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan : Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart   Time-Coded Highlights: [00:00:20] Joseph Scott Morgan shares his personal experience using a chainsaw as a young man, setting the stage for the case discussion, and introduces the shocking case of Margaret Craig's death and dismemberment. [00:04:44] The disturbing trend of perpetrators becoming comfortable with dismembering bodies.  [00:08:05] Noticing the absence of Margaret Craig, her neighbor calls for a welfare check. Upon entering the basement, police smell a foul odor and notice blood near three trash bags. [00:11:04] Joe Scott explains the impact of plastic on decomposition, providing insight into the forensic aspects of the case. [00:15:11] Discovery of brain matter and a disappearing knife. [00:20:00] Dave Mack shares the account of Salia Hardy, the granddaughter of the victim, who provides the police with critical information about the crime. [00:22:42] Joe Scott explains the difficulty in determining the sequence of events, particularly with the involvement of a chainsaw. He describes the concept of blood-cast and the unique patterns created during dismemberment with a chainsaw. [00:30:20] Discussion on the methodology and tools used in dismemberment as well as  a witness's report of seeing human remains being placed in a brush fire. [00:32:26] Joseph Scott Morgan questions the presence of brain matter and highlights the importance of tool mark experts and the FBI’s access to different types of chainsaws in their forensic lab. [00:33:57] Dave Mack updates listeners on the current status of the case. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joran van der Sloot's appearance in an American federal courtroom was short.  It took the convicted killer less than five minutes to enter a not-guilty plea on charges that he extorted money from Natalee Holliway's mother. The Dutch national was one of the last people to see the Alabama teen alive during her senior trip to Aruba in 2005, and many have theorized that van der Sloot raped and murdered her.  During the Holloway investigation, van der Sloot told mother Beth Twitty that he would tell her where her daughter's body was for $250,000;  $15,000 was wired to a Netherlands bank account and van der Sloot was given another $10,000 through an attorney.  Van de Sloot offered a location but later admitted the information was “worthless.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.