Talk Radio 49 – Details, episodes & analysis

On July 23, 2010, Shan Fieldman got into a pick-up truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Pontiac, Illinois to arrange the murder of his ex-wife, Shelley, and her current boyfriend, Alan.    Fieldman left briefly to get $100.00 from his fiancé, Talia Fonce, which was used as a down‑payment on the hit.  Fieldman also provided the hitman with descriptions of his ex and her boyfriend, as well as their home and their habit of hanging out in their garage.  He gave the hitman their correct address.  While he also left an IOU in the amount f $7,400.00 with the hitman, he did ensure himself plausible deniability by signing it “Joe Smith.”  Fieldman was arrested later that night with his fiancé’s children in his car.  His fiancé was also arrested because she had introduced Fieldman to Trina Bennett, the informant who reported the potential crime to police.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at 8:00 p.m., Central, for Episode 13 of Clear and Convincing.  We’ll talk about the events leading up to the meeting with the hitman, the evidence against Fonce and Fieldman, their trials and appellate process, including the grant of federal habeas relief to Fieldman with the intervention of Kathleen Zellner.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On June 26, 1980, a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Sarah Avenue and Olive Street in St. Louis, Missouri, took the life of 19-year old Quinton Moss and wounded Wallace Conner.  Moss had been a suspect in the January, 1980 murder of Dennis “Gant” Griffin, but had never been charged.  Larry Griffin was linked by a police officer who saw him in the company of two other men getting into a car similar to the one described by witnesses to the shooting and a bystander at the scene who was able to identify Griffin as one of the shooters.   Join Lisa O’Brien and Michel Carson on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, for Clear and Convincing,  Episode 11, State of Missouri v. Larry Griffin.  Griffin’s 1995 execution was controversial due to his claim of his actual innocence.  A 2005 investigation sponsored by the NAACP concluded that there were “doubts” about Griffin’s guilt.  A subsequent investigation by the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office reached a different conclusion.  We’ll talk about the evidence against Griffin, the post-execution investigation that raised doubts about his guilt and the investigation conducted by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

On November 15, 2004, Tom and Jackie Hawks were tied to an anchor and dragged into the Pacific Ocean from their 55-foot yacht Well Deserved by Skylar Deleon, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Alonso Machain.  Their bodies have never been found.  Prior to taking their lives, Deleon forced to couple to sign sale papers transferring the yacht to him and his wife, Jennifer Henderson Deleon and Powers of Attorney, giving the Deleons control over all of Tom and Jackie’s finances and assets.  It was that aspect of the scheme that led to Deleon and his accomplices, including Jennifer, being charged with felony murder, making them eligible for a death sentence.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Episode 3, State of California v. Jennifer Lynn Henderson.  We’ll talk about Tom and Jackie Hawks, their lives and family, then we’ll talk about Deleon’s criminal history the murders of Jon Jarvi and Tom and Jackie Hawks and the investigation that led to the arrest, trial and convictions of Deleon, Henderson, Kennedy and Machain.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Join Michael Carnahan and Lisa O’Brien on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central, for a discussion of the requirements for post-conviction DNA testing.  We’ll look at the statutes governing testing requests in federal cases, Arkansas, Louisiana, California, New York and Texas and cases in which appellate courts affirmed the denial of testing requests by lower courts.  We’ll also try to clear up some of the many misconceptions about access to post-conviction DNA testing, including the reason requests for testing in some of the cases profiled on Clear and Convincing were denied. We’ll also talk about civil rights cases pursued in federal court to gain access to evidence for DNA testing.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.  

This bonus episode of Clear & Convincing features an interview with Trial Bureau Chief Kelly Blackburn of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office regarding the Larry Swearingen case.  Mr. Blackburn assumed responsibility for the case in 2017.  Lisa O’Brien discusses the issues related to Swearingen’s multiple requests for DNA testing, including post-conviction counsel’s objection in 2013 to pre-execution testing requested by the State.  They’ll also talk about the agreed testing in 2017 and the inconclusive results.  Mr. Blackburn grew up in Brownwood, Texas and attended Texas Tech University, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.  He graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1999 and began his legal career at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as a felony trial prosecutor.  He also served in the Public Integrity Division handling cases and investigations of public corruption.  In 2008, Mr. Blackburn served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Texas, where he handled narcotics offenses, human smuggling, bulk-cash smuggling, fire arms, organized crime and criminal immigration offenses.  In 2010, Mr. Blackburn joined the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office, where he served as a Chief Prosecutor and Chief of the Public Integrity Division.  His now serves as Chief of the Trial Bureau and is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  

Obviously notable by their absense was "Suicide" Otis Crowley and "The Suicide King" Ray Ray. Crowley made good use of his suspension as he captured gold in another organization. And from what we are told Ray Ray may have been in the crowd that night stalking his prey and scouting for weaknesses. From looking at the roster we know that "The Suicide King" will make his presence felt this weekend. But there is still a question as to when we will see "Suicide" again in the Valiant Arena but you can bet Ray will be ready. Also we seen the "Evolution Champion" Josh Cross issue an open challenge for "his" Evolution title. When he would not allow DeMike to answer DeMike switched things up on him and brought out his real opponent for the night. "The Big Man" KToomer answered and he gave Cross absolutely all he could handle! So much so that Cross intentionally had to get himself counted out just so he could escape Toomer's wrath! Speaking of people in foul moods, XKaliber came out and took on Justin Venson and when he lost the match via a quick roll up. He snapped and turned his anger on just about everyone in the building. This included "Sensational" Sara Kay and Michael Carnahan. Putting Sara and a ref through a wooden door in the ring. And then turning his fury on Carnahan who was just doing his job. For his actions The Commisioner Joey Britt has terminated X's contract effective immediately! We were treated to the birth of a new tag team in #FGA as Will Cage and Greyson Beckett not only wrestled one tag team! But they also wrestled a second match against a team making their ASWF return! We will have all the details tomorrow night! Including the epic match between DeMike and Garion Tyr which had fans on the edge of their seats!

On August 21, 2019, Larry Ray Swearingen was executed for the December 8, 1998 murder of Melissa Aline Trotter.  Over the course of 19 years, Swearingen and his advocates filed what one federal judge described as “a convoluted tangle of habeas applications, pro se motions, mandamus actions, and amended pleadings.”  In 2006, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals described Swearingen’s pattern of requests filed days before execution as dilatory and warned Swearingen’s counsel that continued delays could subject them to sanctions.  In 2009, the Fifth Circuit characterized another late-filed request prior to a pending execution date as “timing gamesmanship.”  Agreed DNA testing did not exonerate Swearingen. Althought Swearingen’s counsel cited an intention to raise additional claims during February and March of 2019, they did not seek funding to pursue investigation of those claims until June.  In early August, 2019, counsel retained a new expert. The week before the execution, Swearingen’s counsel sought authorization to file successive state and federal writs, demonstrating what the Fifth Circuit described in 2009 as “disrespect for this court and for Swearingen's life.”  Swearingen and his advocates have also repeatedly misrepresented the weight of their post-conviction claims and evidence and have ignored the adverse findings of  state and federal courts that have reviewed those claims.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 8:30 p.m. for a review of the case against Swearingen, the multiple post-conviction claims advanced after his conviction and sentence were affirmed in 2003 and the misrepresentations made by Swearingen and his advocates in the media.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.  

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 3, we’ll conclude our look at Edwards with a discussion of the murders he allegedly committed between 1990 and his arrest in 2009 and we’ll look at the detective’s allegations of wrongful conviction and that Edwards framed others for the crimes he committed. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.  

At the last show we were witness to the return of Otis Crowley. A man who was once known to fans as "Suicide" and one who was under the tutelage of "The Suicide King" Ray Ray. So imagine the surprise to everyone in the arena when the homecoming was ruined and Crowley turned his back on Ray. We will provide an update on this very volatile situation heading into the show this Saturday. Also we seen "The Psychotic Savior" Cataclysm challenge "The Main Event" Curtis Dawn at the last show. And during this epic clash we seen "The Nocturnal Flame" Leo Keegan get involved and stake his claim at a shot at Dawn. And speaking of championships we seen larceny of the Evolution Championship Belt. As during the Asa Morta/DeMike matchup the "Original Misfit" Josh Cross came out and stole the title belt! We will discuss the actions of Cross and what this means for the title moving forward. Also in a rematch from Fight For Freedom 2019 we seen Justin Venson and "The Big Man" K Toomer challenge new champs Gaston and Garion. And that term is used very lightly as there wasn't as much a matchup that occured. As a good old fashioned butt whooping. Leaving the champions motionless on the canvas and the challengers with sweet revenge. In the chairs match we seen the action spill all over the building and "The Essence of Rattitude" was able to finally vanquish X-Kaliber. And speaking of Beckett his night wasn't over as shockingly he has aligned himself with the newly minted "Finely Gifted Athlete" Will Cage. What does this partnership mean for the rest of the ASWF locker room? And of course we cannot forget the debut of the aforementioned "Suicide" Otis Crowley. As he was in Fatal Four Way action against Insane Shane, Troy Twain, and Maxx Stone. Join us this week as we break down all this and more on ASWF Aftermath!     

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and soon included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 2, we’ll talk about the murders Edwards allegedly committed between 1954 and 1989. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.