1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:04,160 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Mind over Murder podcast. 2 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,679 Speaker 2: My name is Bill Thomas. I'm a writer, consulting, producer, 3 00:00:09,720 --> 00:00:12,839 and now podcaster. I am now trying to use my 4 00:00:12,919 --> 00:00:15,800 experience as the brother of a murder victim to help 5 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:18,600 other victims of violent crime. I'm working on a book 6 00:00:18,679 --> 00:00:21,440 on the unsolved Colonial Parkway murders, and I'm the co 7 00:00:21,519 --> 00:00:24,760 administrator of the Colonial Parkway Murders Facebook group together with 8 00:00:24,839 --> 00:00:25,519 Kristin Dilly. 9 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 3: My name is Kristin Dilly. I'm a writer, a researcher, 10 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:32,079 a teacher, and a victim's advocate, as well as the 11 00:00:32,119 --> 00:00:35,840 social media manager and co administrator for the Colonial Parkway 12 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,079 Murders Facebook page with my partner in crime, Bill Thomas. 13 00:00:42,439 --> 00:00:45,280 Welcome to Mind of a Murder. I'm Kristin Dilly and 14 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:49,039 I'm Bill Thomas. We are reporting a live ahead of 15 00:00:49,079 --> 00:00:53,200 winter snowstorm number two here in Virginia. We are expecting 16 00:00:53,280 --> 00:00:55,560 snow to start in mere moments. 17 00:00:56,079 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 2: Something's backwards here. I live in the Great Northeast. You 18 00:01:00,399 --> 00:01:05,159 live in Virginia. For some reason, Virginia is getting the 19 00:01:05,239 --> 00:01:09,959 snow and New England is getting bitter cold. We'll talk 20 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,719 about that in a second, but no snow. The storms 21 00:01:12,799 --> 00:01:16,319 keep cracking through the del Marva Peninsula. 22 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:21,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, your weather's down here, drunk in my yard. Please 23 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:22,120 come get it. 24 00:01:24,719 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 2: Come get this snowstorm and take it home with you. 25 00:01:27,719 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 3: It belongs where you are. It doesn't belong where I am. 26 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:36,000 They are projecting. I think the last look was four 27 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:37,120 to six inches. 28 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:38,799 Speaker 2: Oh my, that's a lot. 29 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 3: Yeah, which is a lot for us. It is not 30 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:45,799 as much as Snowmageddon from twenty eighteen. That was quite 31 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,319 a lot. We haven't had a big storm here for 32 00:01:49,480 --> 00:01:52,840 a while. I think it's been Our school division did 33 00:01:52,879 --> 00:01:56,640 a nice little count for us ahead of last week 34 00:01:57,000 --> 00:01:59,519 and said it had been one thousand x number of 35 00:01:59,599 --> 00:02:02,400 days since we'd had a snow day. That's so weak. 36 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:03,959 Speaker 2: That's three years. 37 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,159 Speaker 3: It's three full years. Yeah, so it has been a 38 00:02:07,159 --> 00:02:11,120 while since we've had a snowstorm of any significance. We 39 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,759 did not count on having two within a week, But 40 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,360 I didn't hate the fact that we only had a 41 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,439 three day week after winter break. I'm tired enough after 42 00:02:21,479 --> 00:02:23,479 a three day week. We didn't need a five day 43 00:02:23,560 --> 00:02:24,240 or It's okay. 44 00:02:25,159 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 2: Now we have listeners all over the country and all 45 00:02:27,599 --> 00:02:30,800 over the world. For those Virginians and they are a 46 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,400 fair number of them because of our coverage of the 47 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,639 Colonial Parkray murders and other issues. And Kristen, of course 48 00:02:36,719 --> 00:02:39,560 lives in Virginia. Understand what I'm about to say. I'm 49 00:02:39,680 --> 00:02:43,120 only teasing, which is to say that last time I checked, 50 00:02:43,159 --> 00:02:46,879 the Commonwealth of Virginia only had three snowplows. Is that 51 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:47,919 really true? 52 00:02:48,759 --> 00:02:52,319 Speaker 3: It feels that way sometimes. I will say. The folks 53 00:02:52,319 --> 00:02:55,560 at v DOT have done a superlative job here pre 54 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:59,000 treating the roads before every single event that we've had, 55 00:02:59,039 --> 00:03:01,759 and you can always like it looks very distinctive on 56 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,719 the roadway when they've pre treated the roads. 57 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:05,520 Speaker 2: What is retreat mean. 58 00:03:06,479 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 3: I think it is supposed to help the I think 59 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:11,039 it's supposed to help the snow melt off the road 60 00:03:11,039 --> 00:03:13,360 faster or something. I'm not sure. I just know that 61 00:03:13,439 --> 00:03:16,240 they go through with a brine and they pre treat 62 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,039 the roadway so that it won't stick nearly as badly. 63 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,240 It's honestly not a snowplow problem. I think it's just 64 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:24,439 that melts and then it freezes again and you get 65 00:03:24,439 --> 00:03:27,680 that whole black eye situation and nothing good comes of it. 66 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:31,439 Speaker 2: Years ago, I was visiting my older brother Richard. He 67 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,960 was in med school at Georgetown after he graduated from 68 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,759 the Naval Academy, and I had some time off from 69 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,240 the University of Massachusetts, so I was I'm visiting with him, 70 00:03:40,439 --> 00:03:45,039 and I remember driving along in DC, like near the 71 00:03:45,159 --> 00:03:48,960 Jefferson Memorial and there's no cars on the road. And 72 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:53,360 he had this really great little blue Fiat named Fiarello, 73 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,280 a front wheel drive, great in the snow, and I 74 00:03:56,319 --> 00:04:00,319 remember driving along, just bombing along on what to me 75 00:04:00,439 --> 00:04:03,360 felt like a light snowstorm. Being from New England. I'm 76 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,479 listening on the radio and they're talking about Washington, DC 77 00:04:06,759 --> 00:04:11,080 is paralyzed by a major snowstorm, and I'm like bopping 78 00:04:11,159 --> 00:04:14,759 along in the Fiat, going, this is a major snowstorm, 79 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:16,439 two or three inches of snow. 80 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, pretty much anything above an inch is going to 81 00:04:19,319 --> 00:04:22,600 paralyze most of the Commonwealth just because we're not used 82 00:04:22,639 --> 00:04:24,639 to it. We don't really know how to drive in it. 83 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,199 We do have about three snowplows. You're exactly right, and 84 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,079 it's just we have a lot of side roads that 85 00:04:31,120 --> 00:04:34,759 get all nasty and black, icy and congested, and it's 86 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:38,319 not good. So, yeah, we were Actually we have the 87 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:42,040 same discussion that every teacher has right before a snowstorm, 88 00:04:42,079 --> 00:04:44,279 which is how long is this going to get us 89 00:04:44,279 --> 00:04:46,879 out of school if any And it doesn't matter that 90 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,720 you've just come back from Christmas break, it doesn't matter. 91 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,519 You still want your snow day if you know that 92 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,959 there's going to be a snowstorm. So we were all 93 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:56,680 having the discussion today. 94 00:04:57,079 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 2: And for you younger listeners, listen carefully. This means that 95 00:05:01,199 --> 00:05:05,120 teachers actually look forward to snow days. 96 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,720 Speaker 3: We do, We totally do. There was some discussion about 97 00:05:08,759 --> 00:05:10,800 maybe we were going to no longer have snow days 98 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:13,920 now that we have virtual learning as an option, and 99 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,480 I'm sorry, give people a snow day every once in 100 00:05:16,519 --> 00:05:18,600 a while. Nobody wants to go to school via zoom. 101 00:05:19,199 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: And then in the meantime up here, it's been like 102 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,600 in the single digits at night. And so the other 103 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,839 morning I got up and it was eleven degrees but 104 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:33,720 with a fifty mile an hour wind. The feels like temperature, 105 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,800 which is a very big thing now, was like minus 106 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:40,839 fourteen or something crazy like that. It's been really cold. 107 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,519 Speaker 3: I will, honestly, I will take the cold over the 108 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:47,759 firestorm that is raging through Los Angeles right now. And 109 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:52,160 we want to extend our heartfelt sympathies and love to 110 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:54,639 those of our true crime colleagues who are in the 111 00:05:54,639 --> 00:05:57,959 Los Angeles area. And we do have many of them, Yeah, 112 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:01,480 a lot, an alarming number actually, And so for the 113 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:04,040 last couple of days, I've been reaching out and trying 114 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,480 to keep tabs on people who evacuated, who's still there, 115 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,480 who's okay? Who is not? My life partner's sister lives 116 00:06:11,519 --> 00:06:15,160 in Calabasas, and so we're trying to make sure she evacuating, 117 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:18,480 is she okay? What's going on? So for our listeners 118 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,399 and our true crime colleagues who were in Los Angeles, 119 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:25,600 we love you, we support you. Stay safe, let us 120 00:06:25,639 --> 00:06:27,839 know if we can do anything to help you. And 121 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:30,240 as much as we're complaining about our snow, we will 122 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:33,199 take it over. What is happening out there in La 123 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:35,680 Bill and you lived out there, Was there ever a 124 00:06:36,319 --> 00:06:39,079 really terrible wildfire event that you can remember? 125 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,519 Speaker 2: There was several times, And as a matter of fact, 126 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:48,600 when we left West Hollywood in twenty eighteen, I remember 127 00:06:48,639 --> 00:06:51,920 we were selling our condo and we had an open 128 00:06:51,959 --> 00:06:54,160 house where people come by to check out your place. 129 00:06:54,519 --> 00:06:58,199 I remember there was smoke throughout Los Angeles from these 130 00:06:58,240 --> 00:07:02,279 major wildfires, but nothing like what we're seeing in these storms, 131 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:04,839 these firestorms with one hundred mile an hour winds. It's 132 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:08,399 just crazy and are I'm not big on thoughts and prayers, 133 00:07:08,439 --> 00:07:09,920 but I think this is one of those times where 134 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,360 our thoughts and prayers really are with the people of 135 00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:16,120 southern California. Some of those neighborhoods, like in the Pacific 136 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:19,040 palis Ages, just looked like a bomb has gone off 137 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,279 and every home in the street is burned to the ground. 138 00:07:21,319 --> 00:07:22,199 It's just awful. 139 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:25,319 Speaker 3: My life partner because he's been checking on his sister, 140 00:07:25,399 --> 00:07:27,959 he's been keeping up with the updated fire map, and 141 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:30,720 he was looking through and looking at some of the 142 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,800 areas where he lived because he grew up in Los Angeles, 143 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,240 or he would have me correct that statement and say 144 00:07:36,279 --> 00:07:38,600 he grew up in the valley. I'm told that there's. 145 00:07:38,399 --> 00:07:40,639 Speaker 2: A difference on the other side of the hill. But 146 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:44,759 we know a number of people, and Pamela's art gallery 147 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:47,800 where she knew a whole bunch of women. It's called 148 00:07:47,839 --> 00:07:50,160 Ten Women. It's actually last time I checked, I think 149 00:07:50,319 --> 00:07:52,879 there were twenty three women, but it was started by 150 00:07:52,879 --> 00:07:55,959 ten women. Several of those people have been evacuated. I 151 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:59,079 don't know that anyone's property has been destroyed, but we 152 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,360 do know other people people whose property has been destroyed. 153 00:08:02,399 --> 00:08:06,360 A lot of people are displaced, and man, the whole 154 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,360 thing is just terrifying. And we know some people that 155 00:08:08,399 --> 00:08:12,360 have left, not necessarily permanently, but they have families, and 156 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,519 particularly if you have young kids or pets, you've got 157 00:08:15,519 --> 00:08:19,319 to really be careful. One shocking video clip I saw 158 00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:22,879 the other day there were dozens and dozens of cars 159 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:27,879 that had gotten stuck in traffic. The firefighters came through 160 00:08:27,879 --> 00:08:29,560 and said, you have to get out of your car 161 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,960 and you have to abandon your vehicle, and so these 162 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:36,080 people were forced to flee on foot. Dozens and dozens 163 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:39,639 of cars were just sitting in the road. Firefighters have 164 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:43,960 to get through with their equipment, so these massive bulldozers 165 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:48,240 were just pushing these cars, some of which were beautiful cars. 166 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,440 They just had to push them out of the way 167 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,080 so that the fire trucks and other equipment could get through. 168 00:08:53,519 --> 00:08:55,519 The whole thing is really frightening, and I think we're 169 00:08:55,720 --> 00:08:58,080 far from seeing the end of it, and I just 170 00:08:58,080 --> 00:08:59,960 want to let everyone know we're thinking of them. 171 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:03,159 Speaker 3: Boy, we've got a lot coming up in the next 172 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:05,360 few weeks for us, and so we wanted to fill 173 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,919 you guys in on some of what is going on here. 174 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:11,159 In terms of live events, we do have a couple 175 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:12,960 of them this year, and we hope to have more. 176 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:16,919 So the first of those is going to be a 177 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:20,639 wonderful event that's being put on by the Prince William 178 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,519 Public Libraries. This is going to be held at the 179 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:29,200 Montclair Library in Montclair, Virginia. This is a wonderful idea 180 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:32,440 that was presented to us August, which feels like forever ago, 181 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:36,080 suddenly somehow it is here. And so this is called 182 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:40,840 by the book a true Crime mini con, rather than 183 00:09:40,919 --> 00:09:44,679 being largely crime con. It's very intimate gathering at the 184 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:49,360 Montclair Library. It is for people who love true crime. 185 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 2: Saturday, January twenty fifth. It's a day long event. It 186 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,480 runs from ten am to three pm. I think this 187 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:01,679 is going to be very interesting. It's no charge, no 188 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:07,720 RSVP is required. It's in this beautiful library in Montclair, Virginia. 189 00:10:08,039 --> 00:10:09,960 I think this is going to be a phenomenal event. 190 00:10:10,039 --> 00:10:12,879 And if you've seen one of our other live events, 191 00:10:13,279 --> 00:10:17,279 we will not be repeating the presentations that we've made 192 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,320 at some of our previous live events. They've asked us 193 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:21,879 to focus on advocacy. 194 00:10:22,639 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 3: Obviously, like part of the information that you need to 195 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:27,639 know for anybody who gets to know us is our 196 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,039 involvement with the Colonial Parkway murders case, so we will 197 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:32,600 be covering that a little bit, but we are going 198 00:10:32,639 --> 00:10:35,360 to be talking a lot about advocacy and what people 199 00:10:35,399 --> 00:10:39,559 can do to move their cases forward if they have 200 00:10:39,639 --> 00:10:42,080 been affected by crime, but also what you can do 201 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:45,720 if so many of our listeners you've never been affected 202 00:10:45,759 --> 00:10:48,120 by crime, but you still want to help. We're going 203 00:10:48,159 --> 00:10:52,639 to talk a lot about advocacy. We are running our 204 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:56,639 session from one thirty to two thirty pm in the 205 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:00,440 community room, and we're going to be doing a live podcast. 206 00:11:01,039 --> 00:11:03,879 We are very excited to be doing this, which will 207 00:11:03,919 --> 00:11:08,120 be our third live event at a library. We're certainly 208 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:10,679 hoping that there will be others. So if you live 209 00:11:10,759 --> 00:11:14,440 somewhere in Virginia and you would like your library to 210 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:17,840 have us come and do a live podcasting session, please 211 00:11:17,879 --> 00:11:20,559 suggest it to them and tell them to reach out 212 00:11:20,639 --> 00:11:23,159 to us. We are happy to do a little bit 213 00:11:23,159 --> 00:11:26,600 of traveling across the lovely Commonwealth of Virginia here and 214 00:11:26,759 --> 00:11:28,679 visit people where they would like us to visit. 215 00:11:29,399 --> 00:11:32,399 Speaker 2: Heck, we don't have to do it only in Virginia either, 216 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:36,559 even though they only have three snowplows. I think we 217 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:37,879 could travel even further. 218 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:42,279 Speaker 3: You live next to a beautiful library, mister Thomas, in 219 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:45,559 the gorgeous village of Norfolk, Connecticut. I feel like we 220 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,159 probably ought to come to a live event at your 221 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:50,039 library before we do anything else. 222 00:11:50,279 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 2: That's true. If you're willing to travel, we'd love to 223 00:11:52,639 --> 00:11:54,679 have you. You can stay here at the Maple House. 224 00:11:55,480 --> 00:12:00,759 Speaker 3: So the other sessions at this true Crime Mini in 225 00:12:00,799 --> 00:12:05,120 addition to ours, there is going to be a presentation 226 00:12:05,279 --> 00:12:08,960 from the Prince William Police Department from ten oh five 227 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:13,399 to ten fifty. From eleven to one, they're doing the 228 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:17,440 very important Ident to Child with the Prince William County 229 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,919 Sheriff's Department, and that is where they will produce a 230 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:25,799 plastic ID card with your child's photo and measurements, which 231 00:12:25,840 --> 00:12:28,559 of course could be very helpful to law enforcement if 232 00:12:28,639 --> 00:12:31,799 anything God forbid ever happens to your child then they 233 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:36,440 go missing. So this is a really excellent way to 234 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:40,279 ensure the safety of your children. From eleven to eleven 235 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:43,399 forty five. I'm looking forward to this session very much. 236 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:49,440 There's going to be an ATF Canine Training Facility demonstration. 237 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:51,519 I was about to call it a performance, but I 238 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,360 don't think these dogs are performative. They're actually working. They're 239 00:12:54,399 --> 00:12:56,039 doing good things. 240 00:12:55,879 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 2: And I love the work of the ATF. But the 241 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:00,360 thing I was most excited about when I was reading 242 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,440 about this is reading the description, I was like, are 243 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,039 the dogs going to be there? Are the dogs going 244 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:05,799 to be there? And they are going to be. 245 00:13:05,799 --> 00:13:09,480 Speaker 3: There, Yes, they're going to be There's going to be 246 00:13:09,519 --> 00:13:13,600 a canine dog name Annie, and Annie is going to 247 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:17,159 uppear with their handler and they're going to talk all 248 00:13:17,159 --> 00:13:20,480 about their work at the ATF, which I love. So 249 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,759 if you not only love true crime but you also 250 00:13:23,759 --> 00:13:26,000 love dogs, come hang out for a little bit. I'm 251 00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:27,679 sure you'll get to do some photo ops with. 252 00:13:27,639 --> 00:13:30,159 Speaker 2: Annie and you and I have been to other events 253 00:13:30,159 --> 00:13:33,039 where they've had police dogs, and then I've also been 254 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,080 to event since spoken where they have search dogs and 255 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,360 these dogs are so amazing. I'm a big dog person. 256 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:43,960 To see these dogs go through their paces is just 257 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:47,240 so cool and the dogs are just amazing. And of 258 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:49,559 course you can't bother them when they're working, but they 259 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:53,240 usually then will allow people to interact with the dogs, 260 00:13:53,399 --> 00:13:56,440 and I just think it's the coolest thing. Most of 261 00:13:56,480 --> 00:13:59,519 the time you're talking about German shepherds and other breeds 262 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:03,000 like that. One of the events I went to had bloodhounds, 263 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:07,039 who are the funniest looking dogs, but man, they are 264 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:10,200 so unbelievably talented, and they use them to search for 265 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:14,919 missing people. Sometimes that can be hard work for handlers 266 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:18,919 and dogs. I so admire both the handlers and their 267 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,240 canine companions. I am just crazy about this stuff. 268 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's going to be a lot of fun. And then, 269 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,480 just ahead of our event from twelve to one in 270 00:14:28,519 --> 00:14:33,360 the community room, our guest Bruce Goldfarbe is going to 271 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:38,919 be speaking about his award winning books eighteen Tiny Deaths 272 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:43,480 and OCM. And Bruce does have a book coming out 273 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,559 a little bit later this year, and I'm hoping that 274 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:47,919 he'll give us a little maybe sneak peak of that, 275 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:51,519 a chapter two, something along those lines. But if you 276 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:55,440 enjoyed Bruce's appearance with us last year on the podcast, 277 00:14:55,919 --> 00:14:59,480 please do show up and show him some support. His 278 00:14:59,559 --> 00:15:02,480 session runs from twelve to one, and then stay for 279 00:15:02,559 --> 00:15:04,480 our session from one thirty to two thirty. 280 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 2: And one of the cool things about having Bruce Goldfarb 281 00:15:07,799 --> 00:15:10,480 there to talk about his writing for The Baltimore Sun, 282 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:14,480 the Washington Post, USA Today, and many other magazines and 283 00:15:14,519 --> 00:15:17,399 then his books as well, is like a lot of 284 00:15:17,519 --> 00:15:21,279 people that we know, we have an electronic relationship with 285 00:15:21,399 --> 00:15:24,320 these people because we are in different parts of the country. 286 00:15:24,679 --> 00:15:27,120 We do these interviews on Mind over Murder, which I 287 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:29,600 think we both really enjoy and our listeners seem to 288 00:15:29,639 --> 00:15:33,080 as well. But you actually don't physically meet the person 289 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:37,120 all that often, so we've never met Bruce Goldfarb in person. 290 00:15:37,159 --> 00:15:39,679 This will be really fun to hear him speak about 291 00:15:39,759 --> 00:15:43,600 his writing career and all amazing projects he's been involved 292 00:15:43,639 --> 00:15:45,519 in and get a chance to meet him in person. 293 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:48,639 Speaker 3: Yeah, very excited. So this is going to be a 294 00:15:48,679 --> 00:15:53,200 wonderful event. We encourage you to show up support all 295 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,720 of the people who are going to be there, whether 296 00:15:55,799 --> 00:15:59,639 that is in canine form or human form. That We 297 00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:03,080 will have plenty of handouts, we'll have plenty of stickers, 298 00:16:03,279 --> 00:16:06,240 we will take selfies, we'll do autographs, we'll do whatever, 299 00:16:06,639 --> 00:16:08,480 but please do come hang out with us for a 300 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:10,960 little bit. We would love to meet you, whether you 301 00:16:11,039 --> 00:16:13,440 are a listener who's shown up to our other live events, 302 00:16:13,519 --> 00:16:15,559 or whether this is your first time. So please do 303 00:16:15,799 --> 00:16:18,039 come hang out with us on January twenty fifth at 304 00:16:18,039 --> 00:16:23,360 the Montclair Library. No RSVP is needed, no registration, no cost, 305 00:16:23,559 --> 00:16:25,799 Just come hang out with us for a couple of hours. 306 00:16:25,799 --> 00:16:26,759 We will love to see you. 307 00:16:27,159 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 2: Will include all of the information about the January twenty 308 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:35,279 fifth event in our show notes. And one of the 309 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,360 references you just made indicates you've gotten a little more 310 00:16:38,399 --> 00:16:40,679 comfortable with being asked for your autograph. 311 00:16:40,919 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm okay with it. That's fine. I've actually never 312 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:47,559 had a problem with that. I really don't like taking selfies. 313 00:16:47,879 --> 00:16:50,320 That's my biggest issue is photos. I hate having my 314 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:53,480 photo taken. So I'm fine with autographs. I'll do autographs 315 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,960 all day long, but I hate having my photo done. 316 00:16:56,039 --> 00:16:57,080 It's just the worst. 317 00:16:57,480 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: I don't like having my picture taken either. But a 318 00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:02,600 lot of times, particularly at crime Con and other events, 319 00:17:02,919 --> 00:17:05,440 people will say can they take a picture with us? 320 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:07,559 So you have to say yes, and. 321 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:10,319 Speaker 3: I'm fine with I'm fine with doing a selfie if 322 00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:13,359 I can control how I look in the selfie. It's 323 00:17:13,359 --> 00:17:15,519 when other people are like, can I stand back and 324 00:17:15,559 --> 00:17:18,720 take your photo now? Because I don't look the same 325 00:17:18,759 --> 00:17:20,680 in a regular photo as I look at a selfie. 326 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:22,119 I know how to make myself look good in a 327 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:24,680 selfie a regular photo, can't chance it? 328 00:17:24,799 --> 00:17:28,640 Speaker 2: Don't now I'm hearing the C word. Control seems to 329 00:17:28,759 --> 00:17:30,720 be a bit of an issue, buddy. 330 00:17:30,759 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 3: You know I'm a control freak, have been for years 331 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:36,640 type a personality. I too have a diagnosis of obsessive 332 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:37,519 compulsive disorder. 333 00:17:37,759 --> 00:17:40,519 Speaker 2: Do you get an ID card with that too? Or 334 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:41,920 is that not part of the mix? 335 00:17:42,079 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 3: I feel like I need a badge just to wear. 336 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,960 I don't mean to be this way. I just am 337 00:17:51,039 --> 00:17:55,680 like it's and it's helpful in some cases, but honestly, 338 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:57,839 it's such a hindrance in others. But yes, I want 339 00:17:57,839 --> 00:17:58,440 a badge. 340 00:17:58,880 --> 00:18:00,920 Speaker 2: Maybe we should talk to the nice people from the 341 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:04,240 Prince William County Sheriff's Department. They're going to be doing 342 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:06,680 ID cards for kids. Maybe they can do one for you. 343 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,440 Speaker 3: I think that would be great. Interestingly, though, I do 344 00:18:10,599 --> 00:18:12,920 know because I grew up in I grew up in 345 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:14,720 the eighties and that was when the rise of the 346 00:18:14,759 --> 00:18:17,920 identic head movement was. I know that I have my 347 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,759 fingerprints on file, not just as an educator, but also 348 00:18:20,839 --> 00:18:23,039 as a kid through my school. I know that's something 349 00:18:23,039 --> 00:18:26,039 that happened. Have you ever had your fingerprints taken? 350 00:18:26,759 --> 00:18:29,960 Speaker 2: No, I don't think so. The FBI actually talk to 351 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:32,279 us at one point. Now, I have had my DNA 352 00:18:32,519 --> 00:18:36,039 taken via oral swab in the Colonial Parkway murders, and 353 00:18:36,079 --> 00:18:39,480 the FBI did talk to us about fingerprinting us at 354 00:18:39,519 --> 00:18:42,279 one point because they had one hundred and fifty plus 355 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:46,640 latent prints in the Colonial Parkway murders crime scene. But 356 00:18:46,839 --> 00:18:50,000 they never went down that road. So I'm hesitating because 357 00:18:50,000 --> 00:18:52,240 I feel like I have done it, but I don't 358 00:18:52,319 --> 00:18:56,559 remember what for. It wasn't for this case or anything 359 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:56,920 like that. 360 00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,839 Speaker 3: So Bill, I'm curious, And actually some listeners have asked 361 00:19:00,839 --> 00:19:06,000 this too. Does the military fingerprint its active members. 362 00:19:06,599 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 2: I'll bet my father was. And this is pre DNA 363 00:19:10,279 --> 00:19:14,599 from what we've read in twenty twenty five, military personnel's 364 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:18,839 DNA is taken. Heaven forbid, you're ever killed in action, 365 00:19:19,039 --> 00:19:22,400 they want to make sure that they can identify your remains. 366 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:25,599 I don't know if people realize this. When you hear 367 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:29,079 about dog tags, which are the small metal tags that 368 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:33,359 military personnel where the reason those dog tags were created. 369 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,319 And again this is way before DNA was to identify remains. 370 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 3: My fingerprints are on file in both Virginia where I 371 00:19:41,519 --> 00:19:43,920 teach now and Arizona, where I taught previously. 372 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 2: That was before you were asked to leave the state. 373 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,640 Speaker 3: Correct, I'm right as to leave the state. 374 00:19:50,759 --> 00:19:54,400 Speaker 2: You said, you get kicked out of Arizona. 375 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:59,359 Speaker 3: Yes, I got kicked out of Arizona entirely. They said, 376 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,480 you know what, You're too Southern, get the heck out 377 00:20:02,519 --> 00:20:05,359 of here. Yeah, that's exactly what it was. 378 00:20:05,839 --> 00:20:09,039 Speaker 2: I reckonize this is a podcast and there isn't a 379 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:11,680 visual component to it, but I wish I could share 380 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,400 the shocked look that crossed your phone. 381 00:20:16,920 --> 00:20:21,680 Speaker 3: You're going to make people think things about me, Oh 382 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:26,440 why not? That are completely and entirely baseless. Yeah. I 383 00:20:26,480 --> 00:20:28,359 love the idea of getting kicked out of the entire 384 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:29,519 state of Arizona. 385 00:20:29,599 --> 00:20:32,160 Speaker 2: And with Arizona being as colorful as it is, you'd 386 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,519 really have to try hard to get kicked out of Arizona. 387 00:20:34,799 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 3: Yeah. No, Arizona is a wonderful place, but I'm glad 388 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,880 I'm not there anymore. It's fun to go visit, and 389 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,880 I haven't visited in quite a while. So my golf 390 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:45,920 for spring break this year is actually to get to 391 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:49,519 go to Arizona. Have not been back for quite a while. 392 00:20:49,599 --> 00:20:52,920 I missed the heat. I really missed the heat. When 393 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:54,960 we're about to get four to six inches of snow, 394 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,079 I really missed the heat. 395 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 2: Are you allowed to go back? 396 00:20:58,759 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 3: I am allowed to go back. Yes, will grant me 397 00:21:01,039 --> 00:21:02,319 visitation privileges? 398 00:21:02,519 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 2: Sure you haven't been blackballed by that? Stated? 399 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,559 Speaker 3: Interestingly enough, though, because of a person that I knew 400 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:13,279 in Phoenix and my association with them, I have actually 401 00:21:13,319 --> 00:21:16,640 been to visit a prison, and I bet you can't 402 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:19,079 add that to your resume, can you. No? 403 00:21:19,400 --> 00:21:25,680 Speaker 2: Actually, years ago when Fred at Well, the now deceased 404 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:30,759 and I would say colorful character from the Colonial Parker murders, 405 00:21:31,039 --> 00:21:35,119 to say the least, when he was in prison in 406 00:21:35,279 --> 00:21:39,880 Virginia actually blame Pardo and I had talked seriously about 407 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:43,440 going out to visit him in prison. We didn't end 408 00:21:43,559 --> 00:21:46,680 up doing that because my work schedule with sag After 409 00:21:46,799 --> 00:21:49,480 and Los Angeles was just too crazy busy, and I 410 00:21:49,559 --> 00:21:53,200 was in LA of course, so we never had that opportunity, 411 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:58,160 much to our regret because sure Fred unexpectedly passed a 412 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,519 couple of years later. Joyce Call Canada and I have 413 00:22:01,559 --> 00:22:03,880 talked about this many times. She knew Fred at Will 414 00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,359 very well. We always thought he had something more to 415 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:08,440 tell us about the Colonial Parkray murders. 416 00:22:09,079 --> 00:22:11,599 Speaker 3: Now it's so interesting Now I actually want to know 417 00:22:11,759 --> 00:22:14,640 how many people who listen to the pod have ever 418 00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:19,039 either been fingerprinted, given their DNA or have gone to 419 00:22:19,079 --> 00:22:22,079 visit a prison. I bet, I bet the answers would 420 00:22:22,079 --> 00:22:23,119 be interesting. 421 00:22:22,839 --> 00:22:25,319 Speaker 2: And of course now we have to modify your answer 422 00:22:25,359 --> 00:22:29,039 a little bit. I have also done ancestry dot com, 423 00:22:29,079 --> 00:22:31,640 where you do the oral swab and send it in, 424 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,440 and of course you're not doing that for law enforcement purposes, 425 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:38,519 although we do urge people if they're participating in the 426 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,720 DNA collection sites that do allow for law enforcement search, 427 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:46,319 we do urge them to check that box and allow 428 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:49,640 for that, because that's certainly helped solve a number of cases. 429 00:22:50,559 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, I have held off on doing the ancestry thing. 430 00:22:53,759 --> 00:22:56,200 Both you and I have had family members who have 431 00:22:56,359 --> 00:23:01,160 had rather unexpected surprises as a result of their ancestry 432 00:23:01,759 --> 00:23:04,839 DNA testing. So as a result of that, I have 433 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:06,799 just decided, you know, what I'm not going to do that. 434 00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:09,559 I'm not in the mood for any bombshells that may 435 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:13,359 or may not be lurking in my family's closet. I 436 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:16,279 have too much else on my plate. I am willfully 437 00:23:16,599 --> 00:23:21,279 deciding I will be ignoring ancestry for the foreseeable future. 438 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:24,880 Speaker 2: We found out fascinating things about our family too. 439 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:27,119 Speaker 3: Yes, I know you did, because I was there for 440 00:23:27,160 --> 00:23:31,039 that whole saga, so I remember. But yeah, I think 441 00:23:31,079 --> 00:23:34,680 it's a wonderful tool. But I think don't do it 442 00:23:34,799 --> 00:23:37,160 unless you're prepared for the fact that there might be 443 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:40,039 skeletons in your family's closet that you don't want to 444 00:23:40,079 --> 00:23:43,480 get into. And that has happened to people that we 445 00:23:43,559 --> 00:23:47,160 both know. I have not done ancestry, but I have 446 00:23:47,279 --> 00:23:50,960 had my DNA taken, I've had my fingerprints taken, and 447 00:23:51,039 --> 00:23:53,279 I have been to visit a prison. We're just checking 448 00:23:53,319 --> 00:23:57,559 things off on the law enforcement Bingo game here. Actually, 449 00:23:57,559 --> 00:24:00,359 that would be great to have at our booth at 450 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:04,480 Crime con Law Enforcement Bingo or like True Crime and 451 00:24:04,599 --> 00:24:06,200 Justice Bingo. I think I'm going to whip up a 452 00:24:06,240 --> 00:24:06,880 Bingo card. 453 00:24:07,519 --> 00:24:09,559 Speaker 2: Okay, I will do it. 454 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:10,799 Speaker 3: I think it'll be great fun. 455 00:24:11,680 --> 00:24:14,440 Speaker 2: You're listening to Mind over Murder. We'll be right back 456 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:25,960 after this word from our sponsors, We're back here at 457 00:24:26,039 --> 00:24:32,200 mindover Murder. Among the sites that allow for DNA search 458 00:24:32,279 --> 00:24:36,559 by law enforcement include family Tweet, DNA, and jedmatch, and 459 00:24:36,839 --> 00:24:40,799 our friends at Athram have a smaller DNA searching device 460 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:43,640 as well. But that is something that we do encourage 461 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:46,200 people to do, and I have done that as well 462 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:50,200 so that my DNA is available for helping to solve crime. 463 00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 3: I know you had a big story out of my 464 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:57,759 neck of the woods, but I've been busy grading student essays, 465 00:24:57,960 --> 00:24:59,839 so I wasn't able to follow it as well as 466 00:24:59,839 --> 00:25:01,759 you can can that. I know you wanted to report 467 00:25:01,799 --> 00:25:04,640 out to us. I will let you get into the 468 00:25:04,680 --> 00:25:07,400 specifics of it, but I've just been calling it the 469 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:11,680 Big Explosives Guy story, and clearly that title doesn't do 470 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:13,559 it justice. So why don't you fill us in on 471 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:18,319 Big Explosives Guy? Yeah, because it is rather alarming. I 472 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:20,359 just haven't had a chance to come up to speed 473 00:25:20,400 --> 00:25:20,680 on it. 474 00:25:21,400 --> 00:25:24,519 Speaker 2: This got a little bit lost with the holidays, with 475 00:25:24,720 --> 00:25:27,400 Christmas and Hanukkah and New Year's and all that kind 476 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:31,680 of stuff. A man named Brad Stafford. I guess you'd 477 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:38,359 say it Spofford. Spaford from Smithfield, Virginia, was arrested on 478 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:43,960 December seventeenth, twenty twenty four. The Smithfield Times and will 479 00:25:43,960 --> 00:25:46,599 include some links in our show notes, has been covering 480 00:25:46,640 --> 00:25:50,440 this case. It's been covered in a variety of different publications, 481 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:53,680 but I actually thought the Smithfield Times local reporting was 482 00:25:53,759 --> 00:25:58,519 quite good. It's a very strange case. Mister Spafford was 483 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:03,319 arrested and so far, officially he's only been charged with 484 00:26:03,839 --> 00:26:07,759 one offense, which is having a sawt off shotgun, which 485 00:26:07,799 --> 00:26:12,079 is illegal in Virginia. Much more importantly than the shotgun 486 00:26:12,599 --> 00:26:18,039 is the FBI says that he had more explosives in 487 00:26:18,079 --> 00:26:22,160 his possession. This is of one individual than anyone else 488 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:24,759 they've ever arrested. He had at least one hundred and 489 00:26:24,759 --> 00:26:30,720 fifty pipe bombs and high explosives in his freezer, oh 490 00:26:30,759 --> 00:26:36,200 my lord, next to food, clearly marked as high explosives. 491 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:38,039 But one of the things I read about was this 492 00:26:38,079 --> 00:26:42,400 particular homemade brew that he had created is highly volatile 493 00:26:42,440 --> 00:26:47,960 and actually changes in temperature can set it off. This man, 494 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:52,160 mister Stafford's thirty six years old, currently being held at 495 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:57,039 the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Virginia. His lawyers 496 00:26:57,039 --> 00:27:00,240 are petitioning to get him released. I don't think that's 497 00:27:00,319 --> 00:27:04,799 really a great idea, because apparently this guy holds very 498 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:10,839 extremist views. He actually blew off three of the fingers 499 00:27:10,920 --> 00:27:16,319 on his right hand several years ago. On July fourth, Wow, 500 00:27:17,519 --> 00:27:22,200 they found high explosives in his home as well as 501 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:25,839 in an outlying building which sounds like a garage or 502 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:28,319 a barn of some sort. This is all on a 503 00:27:28,359 --> 00:27:32,039 twenty acre property in Isle of Wight County. Now this 504 00:27:32,119 --> 00:27:37,240 guy sounds extremely dangerous. They said some of the devices 505 00:27:37,279 --> 00:27:43,440 were non lethal training devices, but many were live explosives. Apparently, 506 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:47,319 he had some interaction with a neighbor over a several 507 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,039 year period. As they got to know each other better, 508 00:27:50,039 --> 00:27:54,240 they had a friendly relationship. That neighbor, who ended up 509 00:27:54,279 --> 00:27:58,519 being a source for this investigation, began to understand that 510 00:27:58,680 --> 00:28:03,759 this guy had extreme right wing political views. He was 511 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:08,960 using photographs of President Joe Biden for target practice. He 512 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:15,880 made really unfortunate remarks about the president and vice president. Eventually, 513 00:28:16,079 --> 00:28:21,039 this neighbor contacted authorities and said, you've got to find 514 00:28:21,039 --> 00:28:23,359 out what's going on with this guy. Of course, he'd 515 00:28:23,359 --> 00:28:26,279 blown off three fingers of his hand on July fourth, 516 00:28:26,279 --> 00:28:31,640 twenty twenty one. They began to suspect that over the 517 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:36,039 last several years he was much more into the creation 518 00:28:36,599 --> 00:28:40,400 of homemade explosives. He apparently was working with a goal 519 00:28:40,559 --> 00:28:44,200 of making his own ammunition. He was trying to get 520 00:28:44,279 --> 00:28:49,400 up to ten thousand rounds of high powered ammunition. It's 521 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:55,319 a very strange story, and I understand that the FEDS 522 00:28:55,599 --> 00:28:59,960 are very resistant to letting this guy out of jail. 523 00:29:00,279 --> 00:29:04,319 Speaker 3: They should be. Yeah, he sounds like the next Timothy McVeigh. 524 00:29:04,799 --> 00:29:09,559 Speaker 2: He's I think this guy's extremely dangerous, and I think 525 00:29:09,640 --> 00:29:12,920 the charges are going to be ramped up significantly in 526 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:16,440 the coming weeks based on the the just the sheer 527 00:29:16,559 --> 00:29:21,039 volume of explosives. Neighbors reported. There were a number of 528 00:29:21,160 --> 00:29:25,799 explosions after the bomb squad, and this would have involved Smithfield, 529 00:29:26,440 --> 00:29:31,039 the FBI, and a number of other agencies. They detonated 530 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:35,720 most of the explosives except for nine bombs that they 531 00:29:35,839 --> 00:29:38,720 kept for evidence, but obviously they didn't want to hang 532 00:29:38,799 --> 00:29:41,799 on to at least one hundred and fifty pipe bombs 533 00:29:41,839 --> 00:29:46,119 and other high explosives because it's just too dangerous to 534 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:50,319 hang on to that kind of volume. The DOJ and 535 00:29:50,519 --> 00:29:55,400 the FBI are fighting the release of mister Spafford and 536 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:58,759 trying to prevent him from being released. It's funny his 537 00:29:59,079 --> 00:30:03,000 attorneys and doing their job, but they try to minimize 538 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:05,839 all of this. Is not just somebody having fun on 539 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:10,160 the fourth of July. This is really pretty outrageous and 540 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:12,039 extremely dangerous. 541 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:16,039 Speaker 3: Judge Lawrence Leonard agreed on December thirtieth to release thirty 542 00:30:16,079 --> 00:30:18,400 six year old Brad Kenneth Stafford, who'd been held at 543 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,799 the Western Tidewater Regional Jail sinceays December seventeenth. The rest 544 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:26,440 into the custody of his mother conditioned on his wearing 545 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:30,640 an electronic monitoring device and surrendering his passport. He will 546 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:33,559 be restricted to his mother's house when not traveling to 547 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:36,799 and from work, medical services, meeting to his attorneys, or 548 00:30:36,799 --> 00:30:40,799 religious services. I'm sorry, this guy shouldn't be out at all. 549 00:30:41,960 --> 00:30:44,400 I this guy should not be out at What in 550 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:47,240 the world was this judge thinking. 551 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,759 Speaker 2: I don't know. I was shocked initially when there was 552 00:30:50,839 --> 00:30:54,680 talk about releasing him, and this informant was not named 553 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:57,839 in the articles that we've read. The informant said that 554 00:30:57,920 --> 00:31:02,559 he had become friendly with Stafford in October twenty twenty four. 555 00:31:02,920 --> 00:31:07,039 He said that he had many one hundred pound boxes 556 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:11,759 of explosives, and he was making his own ammunition and 557 00:31:11,839 --> 00:31:16,640 had a goal of creating ten thousand rounds of ammunition. 558 00:31:16,880 --> 00:31:20,079 And in an interesting side note, he was also doing 559 00:31:20,160 --> 00:31:23,759 target practice at a shooting range where he was pursuing 560 00:31:23,799 --> 00:31:28,359 his three to four hundred yard sniper qualification. And this 561 00:31:28,400 --> 00:31:32,279 is a guy that's talking about assassinating political figures. And 562 00:31:32,319 --> 00:31:35,200 of course we know we've had some close calls this 563 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:39,720 past year in that regard. He even had a homemade 564 00:31:40,119 --> 00:31:44,599 recipe for C four, again a military, great high explosive 565 00:31:44,839 --> 00:31:48,720 not to be manufactured without a proper license. The whole 566 00:31:48,759 --> 00:31:52,720 thing is very curious, and the idea of just releasing 567 00:31:52,759 --> 00:31:55,359 this guy to his mother just seems absurd to me. 568 00:31:56,440 --> 00:31:59,759 Speaker 3: It says. Leonard cited among his reasons for granting Stafford 569 00:31:59,759 --> 00:32:03,880 box that the only offense charged to date was his 570 00:32:04,039 --> 00:32:08,839 alleged possession of the short barrel rifle. Okay, but he 571 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:11,720 also had a whole ton of explosives and homemade C four. 572 00:32:11,759 --> 00:32:13,920 I'm sorry, I would think you would have to take 573 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:17,079 that into consideration. But I'm not a lawyer or a 574 00:32:17,160 --> 00:32:20,119 judge or a legal expert of any kind. Perhaps you 575 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:22,440 don't have to take that into consideration. I would think 576 00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:23,759 that you would, but that's just me. 577 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:26,480 Speaker 2: I think the holidays and that sort of thing may 578 00:32:26,480 --> 00:32:29,279 have held things up because I think the FBI and 579 00:32:29,319 --> 00:32:32,039 the ATF and the other agencies need to upgrade these 580 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:36,440 charges to cover all of these other explosives, because I 581 00:32:36,559 --> 00:32:40,200 cannot see letting this guy out of jail pre trial. 582 00:32:40,319 --> 00:32:42,400 This is really a dangerous individual. 583 00:32:43,119 --> 00:32:45,400 Speaker 3: You're right, it really did just get swallowed up in 584 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:48,599 the news cycle as a result of the holidays, because 585 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:50,720 I honestly, I hadn't even heard about it until you 586 00:32:50,799 --> 00:32:52,720 mentioned to me, do you hear about this guy in 587 00:32:52,799 --> 00:32:54,960 Isle of Wight? I was like no, and you were 588 00:32:54,960 --> 00:32:57,400 like the guy with the explosive. Nope, hadn't heard about 589 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:58,480 big explosions guy. 590 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,680 Speaker 2: Now that I've on back and look for more stories, 591 00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:06,039 I found a bunch of additional coverage, But just before Christmas, 592 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:09,519 on December seventeenth, I couldn't find very much at all 593 00:33:09,640 --> 00:33:13,519 except for the Smithfield Times. Now there's been a number 594 00:33:13,599 --> 00:33:16,799 of other articles, many of which reference back to the 595 00:33:16,839 --> 00:33:22,400 Smithfield Times article, which we appreciate. A reporter named Stephen 596 00:33:22,799 --> 00:33:26,880 Feleski was the initial guy who covered this case for 597 00:33:27,039 --> 00:33:30,519 the Smithfield Times. Very interesting story and very disturbing. 598 00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 3: To wrap up our episode, why don't you tell us 599 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:37,720 about your recent press hit that you did with some 600 00:33:37,799 --> 00:33:40,799 of our local media, because that is something that I 601 00:33:40,839 --> 00:33:43,240 know you're particularly pleased to have been a part of. 602 00:33:44,279 --> 00:33:46,480 Speaker 2: I was asked the other day to do a story 603 00:33:46,519 --> 00:33:50,440 which will link in the show notes for WTKR. You 604 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:54,759 may remember the WTKR, which is CBS News three in 605 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:58,640 the Hampton Roads area. They had wanted to do a 606 00:33:58,680 --> 00:34:02,839 story about the one year anniversary of the January eighth, 607 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:08,000 twenty twenty four press conference that announced the solve in 608 00:34:08,079 --> 00:34:12,119 the Robin Edwards David Nobling case, which then also linked 609 00:34:12,280 --> 00:34:16,559 Teresa Lynn Spa Howell, who was murdered in nineteen eighty nine. 610 00:34:17,519 --> 00:34:22,239 In being interviewed by the reporter Brendan Ponton, I've expressed 611 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:25,599 some of the family's frustration. A year has gone by, 612 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,880 we're getting more foot dragging with the FBI and the 613 00:34:28,920 --> 00:34:32,159 Virginia State Police, and we find ourselves at a very 614 00:34:32,199 --> 00:34:37,840 frustrating crossroad. We were promised advanced forensic testing results in 615 00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:41,840 the Call Hailey disappearance, that's Keith Colling Cassandra Haley, who 616 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:46,159 disappeared in April nineteen eighty eight. We would due advance 617 00:34:46,199 --> 00:34:51,159 forensic results in October. We did get some preliminary and 618 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:57,639 positive signs there might be some forward motion in identifying 619 00:34:58,119 --> 00:35:02,119 sources of DNA, which could include Alan Wade Wilmer Senior 620 00:35:02,199 --> 00:35:06,480 and other suspects. And then we were promised that they 621 00:35:06,519 --> 00:35:09,119 were going to be doing an amplification technique on this 622 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:12,440 DNA that they had discovered. This is all newly discovered 623 00:35:12,719 --> 00:35:16,960 DNA evidence. We're told that six more weeks would be 624 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:20,159 required to do this amplification technique and that should have 625 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:25,159 resulted in test results on or about December sixth, twenty 626 00:35:25,239 --> 00:35:28,119 twenty four. And here we find ourselves it's a month 627 00:35:28,199 --> 00:35:32,199 later and we still haven't heard anything. To further compound 628 00:35:32,199 --> 00:35:37,039 our frustration, we were promised additional results in the Thomas 629 00:35:37,159 --> 00:35:40,559 Dowski matter, that's the murder of my sister Kathy Thomas 630 00:35:40,559 --> 00:35:44,280 and her girlfriend Rebecca Dowski in November twenty twenty four. 631 00:35:45,079 --> 00:35:48,280 We have received no word whatsoever, and we just find 632 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:52,679 ourselves really frustrated we feel like the FBI and the 633 00:35:52,760 --> 00:35:55,719 Virginia State Police have gone radio silent on us again, 634 00:35:55,800 --> 00:36:00,079 where we're just not hearing any news. We're not receiving 635 00:36:00,159 --> 00:36:03,920 updates which we were promised earlier this past fall, and 636 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:10,079 it's just an incredibly frustrating experience. And now our longtime 637 00:36:10,119 --> 00:36:15,719 case agent has just retired, we're receiving no information whatsoever 638 00:36:15,840 --> 00:36:20,800 about who's taking over what's happening. After thirty eight years, 639 00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:25,360 it just gets old to constantly having to be badgering 640 00:36:25,519 --> 00:36:30,000 the FBI for more information. In Thomas Dawski, Cal Haley 641 00:36:30,159 --> 00:36:34,000 and I know the Virginia State Police families feel somewhat 642 00:36:34,039 --> 00:36:38,199 the same. We're thrilled that we had results in Robin Edwards, 643 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:42,760 David Nobling, and Terry Howell, but to be promised additional 644 00:36:43,079 --> 00:36:47,519 potential revelations from DNA testing and to receive nothing, it's 645 00:36:47,639 --> 00:36:49,159 just incredibly frustrating. 646 00:36:50,159 --> 00:36:52,679 Speaker 3: It must be, and I wish I knew the right 647 00:36:52,679 --> 00:36:57,920 words to say to empathize the way that you all 648 00:36:57,960 --> 00:37:01,239 deserve hearing that you're I'm so sorry for me and 649 00:37:01,280 --> 00:37:04,519 other people. I'm sure that doesn't help matters. I wish 650 00:37:04,599 --> 00:37:07,559 that they would do their due diligence. And treat you 651 00:37:07,599 --> 00:37:09,639 all with the kind of respect that you deserve as 652 00:37:09,639 --> 00:37:13,679 the family members of murder victims. We can only hope 653 00:37:13,719 --> 00:37:18,199 that something new and positive maybe on the horizon. That's 654 00:37:18,320 --> 00:37:20,559 the only thing that we can hope for. I think 655 00:37:20,760 --> 00:37:23,559 I'm going to try to be optimistic and hope that 656 00:37:23,599 --> 00:37:27,280 something is coming. But as I've learned from I think 657 00:37:27,280 --> 00:37:30,800 we'd established last episode that we've been working together ten 658 00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:34,760 years now, as I've learned within that very short span 659 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:37,119 of time, it can be hard to be optimistic about 660 00:37:37,119 --> 00:37:37,639 this case. 661 00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:41,000 Speaker 2: We're going to be demanding a meeting with the FBI 662 00:37:41,199 --> 00:37:45,440 in the first quarter of twenty twenty five. The last 663 00:37:45,519 --> 00:37:50,119 time the Colonial Parkway murders families met as a group 664 00:37:50,239 --> 00:37:53,239 with the FBI and the Virginia State Police is fifteen 665 00:37:53,320 --> 00:37:57,360 years ago. We met in January twenty ten. My father 666 00:37:57,519 --> 00:38:02,320 was still alive back then, and we just find ourselves 667 00:38:02,559 --> 00:38:04,920 very frustrating crossroads, and we're just going to have to 668 00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:09,639 keep pushing. The families are incredibly unhappy with the lack 669 00:38:09,679 --> 00:38:13,480 of communication and what feels like the lack of forward momentum. 670 00:38:13,559 --> 00:38:15,719 It's hard to tell there could be something happening that 671 00:38:15,760 --> 00:38:19,320 we might hear about this coming week, but right now 672 00:38:19,559 --> 00:38:24,000 we're hearing nothing, and that just it's just maddening. Yeah. 673 00:38:24,360 --> 00:38:28,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, As always, if we hear something, we will well 674 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:31,000 keep quiet about it until we can tell you. But 675 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:35,320 just keep hoping and praying for good outcomes for twenty 676 00:38:35,360 --> 00:38:37,639 twenty five, that's really all that we can hope for. 677 00:38:38,480 --> 00:38:40,840 But we do look forward to seeing everybody at our 678 00:38:40,920 --> 00:38:44,719 live event on January twenty fifth at the Montclair Library. 679 00:38:44,760 --> 00:38:48,159 Please show up for however much time you would like 680 00:38:48,199 --> 00:38:51,039 to spend with us. We are happy to see you. 681 00:38:51,119 --> 00:38:54,239 We're happy to hang out with you. We'll even take 682 00:38:54,239 --> 00:38:56,679 selfies with you if that's what you'd like. Just make 683 00:38:56,719 --> 00:38:59,280 sure we all look good in the process, and we 684 00:38:59,360 --> 00:39:04,880 do welcome your thoughts, your ideas for future cases. You'd 685 00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:07,800 like us to cover anything that you want to throw 686 00:39:07,800 --> 00:39:10,280 out there. Please do engage with us on social media. 687 00:39:10,679 --> 00:39:14,159 Please make sure you buy our merch and subscribe on 688 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:17,920 all of the appropriate podcast platforms. Leave us positive five 689 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:20,559 star reviews. You guys know what to do. You've been 690 00:39:20,559 --> 00:39:23,199 doing it with us for five years now. Six I'm 691 00:39:23,199 --> 00:39:23,840 losing track. 692 00:39:25,519 --> 00:39:28,679 Speaker 2: I think we just started our sixth year Mind Over Murder. 693 00:39:29,199 --> 00:39:32,280 Speaker 3: Feels like we really only just started this mere minutes ago. 694 00:39:33,519 --> 00:39:35,480 That is going to do it for this episode of 695 00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:39,440 mind Over Murder. Thank you so much for listening. We'll 696 00:39:39,440 --> 00:39:40,280 see you next time. 697 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:53,559 Speaker 1: Mind Over Murder is a production of Absolute Zero and 698 00:39:53,639 --> 00:39:55,079 Another Dog Productions. 699 00:39:55,639 --> 00:39:58,960 Speaker 2: Our executive producers are Bill Thomas and Kristin Dilley. 700 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:01,719 Speaker 1: Our logo a It is by Pamela Arnois. 701 00:40:02,360 --> 00:40:04,400 Speaker 2: Our theme music is by Kevin mcleoud. 702 00:40:04,960 --> 00:40:08,880 Speaker 1: Mind Over Murder is distributed in partnership with crawl Space Media. 703 00:40:09,639 --> 00:40:12,800 Speaker 2: You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 704 00:40:13,000 --> 00:40:15,599 Speaker 1: You can also follow our page on the Colonial Parkway 705 00:40:15,679 --> 00:40:17,480 Murders on Facebook. 706 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:20,320 Speaker 2: And finally, you can follow Bill Thomas on Twitter at 707 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:21,960 Bill Thomas five six. 708 00:40:22,440 --> 00:40:25,519 Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to mind Over Murder.