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UNDISCLOSED, the State v. Gary Mitchum Reeves Episode 10 - The Story of Rome Georgia

September 11, 2017[0:23]SusanSimpsonBacklastyear,afterIspoketoGaryforthefirsttime,andafterI’dfirststartedlookingintothiscase,IthinkmyonlyrealgoalwastotryandfigureoutwhetherthethingsGarywastellingmewerethingsthathadactuallyhappened.Iwasn’tplanningtoinvestigatethecase,notreally,andfindingouthowGracehadactuallydiedseemedtooambitious,givenhowoldthecasewas.ButthestoriesGarywastellingmedidn’tsoundlikethekindofstoriesthatcouldbetrue,didn’tsoundlikethekindsofthingthathappenedinreallife,andyethe’dalsosaidhehadrecordstoverifymuchofwhathewastellingme.So,Iwantedtoatleastcheckthatout.Itcouldn’thurt,right?Andthethingofitwas,thereactuallywererecordsthatbackedupwhatGarywastellingme.AndasIstarteddoingmyowninvestigation,findingnewrecordsandnewwitnesses,theyalsobackedupwhathe’dtoldme.Ididn’talwaysagreewithGary’sinterpretationsofthefacts,orhistheoriesaboutwhathadhappened--actually,IthinkIdisagreedwithhimthere,moreoftenthannot.Butthebasicfactsofthecase,whathe’dtoldmehadhappened,thosethings,againandagain,checkedout--theyweretrue.Andbeforelong,thequestionIwastryingtoanswerhadshiftedfrom:didallofthisactuallyhappen?tohowcouldallofthishaveactuallyhappened?Because,howcouldBoSalmonhaveactuallydoneeverythingheseemstohavedone?Howdidheandthepeopleheranwithgetawaywithsomuchbeforehewasfinallystopped,in1981,afterbeingconvictedofthemurderofHenryRidleyJr?AndlikeI'vementionedbefore,Ithinkpartoftheansweristhewhole"redneckskillingrednecks"thing--thissortofinstitutionalaversion,whenthepeopleinvolvedwerethemselvesbadguys,orconsideredbadguys,becauseinthatcase,whybother?Butthat'sonlypartofthestory.Theotherpart,maybethebiggestpart,waspolicecorruption.AsIwouldseeagainandagainwhileinvestigatingthiscase,corruptioninlawenforcementagencieswasendemicinNorthwestGeorgiainthe‘60sand‘70s.And,nodoubt,manyotherplacesandmanyothertimesaswell.Buthere,incasesIwasseeing,it'snotliketheywereevenreallytryingtohideit.Anditwasn'tjustGeorgia,that'sforsure.GBIDirectorVernonKeenanhadbeenassignedupinNorthwestGeorgiabackinthosedays,andhetoldmeaboutasoutherntown,outsideofGeorgia,thathadhaditworsethanmostplacesdid.

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[2:45]VernonKeenanAnd,uh,hadacorruptsheriffandpolicedepartment.Thatwas...generallyifyouhad,ifyouhadacorruptagency,theotheronewouldbeokay.Butthey,theyhadthebadluckofhavin’bothof‘emcorrupt.

[2:58]SusanSimpsonDirectorKeenantoldmeaboutthestrugglestheGBIoftenhadinthethosedays,aboutdealingwithlocallawenforcementagenciesandtheproblemsthere.Sometimes,you'dtrytoinvestigatethecriminals,onlytofindoutthatthelocalpolicewereworkingwiththemhandinhand. [3:12]VernonKeenan

Andwedidthefirstauto-theftwiretapupinWhitfieldCounty,andactuallycaughtaDaltonPoliceofficeronthewiretap,tippingthemoffthatwehadaninvestigationgoing.Caughthimonthewiretap.SusanSimpsonIhavenoticedthatit’skindofacommonthemefortheGBIandthesecases.They’retheonescatchingthelocalpolicewhoare,uh,tippingoffthe,thetargets.VernonKeenanYeah.Itwasalways,therewasnooneelsetoinvestigatethepolice(laughs).Wehadgoodprosecutorsupthere,though.Thatwasuh,thatwasthesavinggrace.Theyhadgood,gooddistrictattorneys.Theweaklinkwaslawenforcement.

[3:53]SusanSimpsonWhenIsaypolicecorruptionispartofthestoryofGary'sconviction,Idon'tmeanbytheofficersthatweredirectlyinvolvedintheinvestigationofGrace'smurder.Thoseofficersdiddoaterriblejob,andtheymadeitsothatwe'llneverhaveanyoftheanswersthatthecrimescenemight'vebeenabletogiveus,butthatwasn'tthecorruptpart.Thatwascausedby,asDirectorKeenanputitinanearlierepisode,theabsenceofamuchneededprofessionalismamongmanylocallawenforcementagencies.Againandagainthroughoutthecasethough,itseemedliketherewereopportunitieswherelawenforcementcouldhavehaltedtheeventsthatwouldhappen--stopwhatwasunfolding,butagainandagaintheyfailedtodoso.AndIdon'tjustmeaninGrace'scase,butinallthecasesBoislinkedin.Because,investigatingthiscase,itoftenfeltlikeeverytimeIturnedoverarockI'dfindanewmurderthatBohadbeenconnectedtoinsomeway.Take,forinstance,theambushkillingofBillyKellyandJackPattoninaWhitfieldCountycemetery--andthatmurderwasneversolved.ButwhenIgottheGBIfilesitwasclearthattheGBI,atleast,hadthoughtthey'dknownwho’ddoneit:BoSalmon.

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Andthathadsurprisedme,becauseJackPattonhadbeenaprettyclosefriendofBo's.I'dfirstlearnedofJackduetosomecrimesthatheandBohaddonetogetherdowninFloydCounty.SoIwasn'tsurewhytheGBImight'vethoughtBowouldbeinvolvedinhismurder.IcontactedJack'sniece,Teresa,andluckilyenough,Teresaherselfhaddonesomeinvestigationintoheruncle'smurder,acoupledecadesback,andshestillhadhernotesandfilesfromthethingsshe'dlookedintobackthen.ShealsohadsomeoldfamilyphotosofJack,whichsheshowedmewhenImetwithherandsomeofJack'sotherrelativesupinDalton. [5:31]TeresaPattonCronon

Um,Jackwasinprisonatthattime,wasn’the?(Indecipherable)That’syoustanding,standinginfrontofJack?MalePattonFamilyMemberThat’sWhitfieldCounty,theoldprison.

[5:41]SusanSimpsonTeresatoldmeabouthowherfatherhadlearnedofhisbrother'sdeath.HownoonehadseenJacksincethenightbefore,sowhenrumorsstartedgoingabouttown,aboutsomebodiesfoundatthecemetery,Jack'sfamilygotworried. [5:55]TeresaPattonCronon

Wordhadgottothemthatthesebodieswerefound,andsotheywenttothecemeterytotrytofindoutifitwasJackand,andfoundoutitwas.

[6:06]SusanSimpsonTheinvestigationintothemurdersstalledoutaboutassoonasitbegan.Infact,Jack’sfamilygotthesensetheyneverreallytriedtosolveitatall. MalePattonFamilyMember Iguessbecauseofthe,therecordthatBennyandJackhad,youknowtheirbacks... FemalePattonFamilyMember Theyhadcriminalrecords

MalePattonFamilyMember Yeah.Andtheyjustdidn’treallycare.[6:25]SusanSimpsonTeresahadbeentooyoungwhenherunclediedtobethatinvolved,andsheneverreallyknewmuchaboutthecaseuntilshedecidedtodoherowninvestigationbackinthe1990’s.Unfortunately,sheranintothesameproblemthatnow,in

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2017,Iraninto:themurderofJackPattonandBillyKellyisanopencase,andthepolicefilesarenotavailable.Still,backthen,whenshespoketoadetectiveaboutthecase,hedidgivehersomecluesaboutwheretolook. [6:51]TeresaPattonCronon

I,IreallyneverdidhearanythinguntilIcameupandmetwithadetectiveandhepointedmeinthedirectionofBoSalmon.

[7:02]SusanSimpsonThedetectivethatshespoketodidn'tgetmuchmorespecificbeyondthat,butTeresacameawaythinkingthecopshadknownallalongwhowasprimarilyresponsibleforheruncle’smurder. [7:11]TeresaPatton

Wellinmynotessomewhere,um,Irememberthedetectivetoldmethathedidnotthinkthat,hethoughtthatBoSalmonwasinvolved,buthedidn’tthinkhewasactuallytriggermanbecausehewasmore“talk”than“do.”

[7:28]SusanSimpsonWhenI'dtalkedtoBennyKelly,thesonofBillyKelly,theothervictiminthiscase,hetoldmemoreorlessthesamething.WordaroundtownhadalwaysbeenthatBowasresponsible.Though,likethePattonfamily,he'dalsosuspectedthatthepolicehadknownalotmorethanthey'dleton.AndwhenIspoketheex-wifeofBillyKelly,shegotmoredetailedaboutwhatshe'dalwaysbelieved.SheandBillyhadseparatedbeforehisdeath,butthey’dremainedcloseandongoodterms,andsheverymuchwantedhismurdertobesolved.Still,shesaid,sheneverthoughtthat’dactuallyhappen--infact,she’dassumedtherewasadecentchancethatlawenforcementhadbeeninvolvementinthekillingthemselves,onewayoranother,andthereforewouldn'tbelikelytotryveryhardtoinvestigateit.ShetoldmehowwhenthepolicecameouttoherhousetotalktoheraboutBilly'sdeath,shehadn’twantedtoandshetoldthem,"Well,didy'allcoverupfortheoneswhodoneit,ordidyouhaveitdone?"Whichofcoursemadethepolicemad,andtheyleft.Butherconcernthatthepolicemighthavebeeninvolvedinsomewaywasn'tirrational.Becauseyes,someelementsoflawenforcementinWhitfieldCountywere,forsure,corruptatthattime.Thesheriffwouldlaterbechargedforcocaineandfirearmconspiraciesandservetimeinprison.Andit'sclearthatthatBoandhisgroupdidenjoysomekindofmutuallybeneficialarrangementwithlocallawenforcement.Infact,locallawenforcementofficershadindirectlyprovidedassistancetothemurderofHenryRidleyJunior.JWPattersonwasone

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ofthefriendsthatBotriedtorecruitforthemurder.However,hehadactuallyturnedinformant,andtoldtheGBIabouthowBoandTeddyBearhadbeenwarnedinadvancethatthepolicewouldberaidingtheirplacethatweekend.Whichwashandy,becauseBohadbeenstoringa30-30riflethereatTeddyBear’splace.Andthankstotheheadsupfromthepolice,Bowasabletomovetherifletoasafelocationsothepolicecouldn’tseizeit--andthatriflewouldlaterbeusedtokillHenry.[11:15]SusanSimpsonNorthwestGeorgiaisnolongerquitethewildwestitoncewas.AndI'moptimisticthatmanyofthefailuresinthecriminaljusticesystemthatwentoninGary'scaseandothercasesfromthattimeperiodwouldneverhappentoday.But,thesefailuresoflawenforcement,thecorruptionandmalfeasance--that'snotsomeoldtimeythingfromadeadandbygoneera.AndIdon'tthinkthingshavechangedquiteasmuchaswewouldliketothink.Iremembertalkinglastyeartoaretiredpoliceofficer,onewho'dbeeninvolved,inatangentialway,toboththeGaryMitchumReevescaseandtheJoeyWatkinscase,andI'daskedhimaboutsomeofthestoriesGaryhadtoldmeaboutpolicetippingoffthelocalcriminal.Hetoldme,simply,"Nothing'schangedthere."Andhewasright--justthisyear,aRomeofficerwasarrestedforthesameoldconspiracyasalways,tippingoffthedrugdealersaboutwhenaraidiscomingin.Ortotakeanotherexample:StanleySutton.HewastheleadinvestigatorinourSeason2case,from2000,buthewasalsoapoliceofficerbackinthe‘70s.AndsometimesitfeelslikeIcan'ttakeastepinFloydCountywithouthearinganotherstoryaboutStanleySutton.Aboutsomeoneelse'scarheputdopein,orsomeoneelsehethreatenedtoputawayforeveriftheydidn'timplicateafriendoftheirsinsomecrimeoranother. [12:30]GayleGodfrey

IwasonthegrandjurywhenStanleySuttonwasbringin’cases,andyoureallyhadtosiftoutthingsthatStanleysaidbecause,uh,hewastryin’tomakeanameforhisself.CharlesLedbetterThat’sallhedone.GayleGodfreyPuttin’peopleinjail.I’msuretherewerepeoplewhowenttoprisonthatshouldn’thaveunderStanley.SusanSimpsonIknowoneof‘em!

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[12:59]SusanSimpsonAndtoshowjusthowlittlesomethingshavechangedinRomeinthepast40years,here'sabitofasidestory,abouthowitisIcametofindGary'scaseinthefirstplace.I'vementionedbeforethatIstumbledonGary'scasewhileresearchingourSeason2case,andthattherewereoverlappingpeopleandthemesbetweenthetwocases,butIdidn'tsaywhattheoverlapwas.And,inanutshell,it'sthatBoSalmonisn'ttheonlymemberofhisfamilywhohasbeeninvolvedinthecontractkillingbusiness,oratleastclaimedtobeinvolvedinthecontractkillingbusiness.InSeason2,wecoveredtheJoeyWatkinscase.Joeywas19atthetimeofthecrime,andhewasconvictedofkillingIsaacDawkins,aformerclassmatewho'doncedatedthesamegirlJoeyhaddated.Supposedly,JoeyandhisfriendMarkhadbeeninalittlebluecar,drivingalongadividedhighway,whenthey'dfiredtwoshotsatIsaac'spickup,withoneshotgoingthroughthebackwindowofIsaac'struckandhittinghiminthebackrightsideofhishead.Butthere'dbeenastringofhighwayshootingsinRomethatsameyear,andalthoughnoneofthefourorfiveotheronesIcameacrosshadbeensolved,orevenreallyinvestigated,Iwascuriousaboutthem.AndthenonedayIwasglancingthroughanoldissueoftheRomeNewsTribunewhenIsawanarticlethatstoodouttome.SevenmonthsafterIsaac'sdeath,a25yearoldthatI'llcallJT,hadbeendrivinginsouthwestRomeareawhensomeonehadfiredtwoshotsathispickup,withoneshotgoingthroughthebackwindowofhistruck,andhittinghiminthebackrightsideofhishead.LuckilyforJT,itwasapparentlysomekindofreversemagicbulletthathithim,becausetheshotwasn'tfatal,anddidn'tactuallyinjurehimthatbadly.Butthesimilaritiesbetweenthetwoshootingswerestartling.Clare,fromtheGIP,decidedtopullthepolicerecordsforJT'scase,althoughitturnedouttherewasn'thardlyanythingtoitbeyondwhatwasalreadybeenreportedinthenewspaper.Therewasonenotationthatwasnewthough.Threemonthsaftertheshooting,someonehadaddedashortupdatetothereport:

1/12/2001FROMINCIDENTDATEUNTILOCT.4,2000,INFORMATIONTHAT[RESPONDINGOFFICER]RECEIVED,COTTONSALMONISTHESUSPECT.VICTIMISREFUSINGTOCOOPERATE.CASECLEARED.

[15:12]SusanSimpsonCottonSalmonisBoSalmon'snephew.Butatthetime,Ididn'tknowwhoBowas,anddidn'tknowofGary'scase.IwasalreadywellawareofwhoCottonSalmonwasthough.Andfindingoutthathe'dbeenthesuspectinashootingthatwasallbutidenticaltotheonethathadkilledIsaac,sevenmonthsbefore,thatwasstartlingforafewreasons.ThefirstisthatCotton'ssisterandnephewhadoncetalkedtoaPIhiredbyJoey'sfamilyandtriedtoconvincethePIthatamannamedJoeyBoydhaddonethemurder,eventhoughtheirstorycouldn'tbecorroboratedinanyway,andIstilldon't

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understandtheoriginsofitorwhytheyweretellingittohim.AndthesecondisthatCottonSalmonwasactuallyoneofthejailhousesnitchesintheJoeyWatkinscase.Infact,outofalltheverymanyjailhousesnitches,Cottonhadprobablybeenthemostaccurateofallofthemindescribingthemurder--heevenknewthemakeofthepistolthathadbeenusedtokillIsaac,supposedly,oratleastthattheGBI'sballisticsreportclaimswasused. [16:08]StanleySutton ..'kay,testing,testingone,two,three.Havin’alittleproblemswiththeum,tape

recorder,Ihadtochangebatteries-'kay,thisisInvestigatorStanleySutton.TodayIhadwentuptotheFloydCountyJailandintervieweduh,tookaguyoutbynameofRonaldWayneSalmon-he'sgotanicknameCotton-Ibeenknowinghim'boutthirtyyears.ButhewasincarceratedinthesamecellblockasMarkFree.ButIreceivedsomeinformationthatCottonSalmonhadsomeinformation'boutMarkFree,tellinghimaboutthekillingofIsaacDawkins·andknewagreatdetailandsoIpulledhimoutandtalkedtohimtodayandbasicallywhatCottontoldmethathespentfivemonthsinthecellpriortoMarkFreegoingtotrialuh,thisyear2002inFebruary.Thatuh,hebraggedtouh,Cottonthathewasahitman,thathehitmovingtargetsandthathewas9millimeterexpertsharpshooterandtoldhimallabouttheArmyandabouthowthathecoulduh,youknow,killpeopleandthat'swhathe'sgonnado,thathe'sgonnabeahitmanandhetoldCottonthatifhehadanybodythathewantedhitjusttolethimknowandhegavehimhisnumbersandeverythingwherehecanget-getintouchwithhimwhenhegotout.

[17:20]SusanSimpsonIwasneverabletofindanyevidencethatcouldlink,inanyway,CottonSalmontoIsaac'skilling,andIdon'tthinkhewasinvolvedthere.ButwhatIfindremarkableisjusthowcomfortableStanleySutton'srelationshipwaswithCotton.Becauseremember,SuttonhadtohaveknownatthetimeCottoncametohimwiththisstory,Cottonhimselfhadbeentheleadsuspect,theonlysuspect,inashootingthatcameahair'sbreadthawayfrombeingamurder.Butthepolicehadclosedthecased,apparentlywithoutmuchinvestigation,andthatwasthat.Then,whenCottoncameforwardtotellSuttonaboutMarkbeingahitman,responsibleforIsaac’smurder,Suttonconsideredhimareliablesource,noquestionsasked.SowhywouldtheFloydCountyPolicehavesoabruptlydiscontinuetheirinvestigationintoaverynearmurderthatCottonseemstohavebeeninvolvedin,andyettheyweresogung-hoinacceptinghisstoryaboutajailhouseconfession?Ican'thelpbutremembersomeofthethingsI'veheardinFloydCountyoverandoveragainaboutSutton.

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CharlesLedbetter Well,Stanleyprotectedsomeofhispeoplewhowouldtellhimstuff.[18:25]SusanSimpsonTotryandfigureoutwhyexactlytheinvestigationintoCottonSalmonhadbeendropped,ClarereachedouttoJT,thevictiminthecase. [18:32]ClareGilbert

Wecameacross,inthecourseofinvestigatinghiscase,anincidentwhereyournamewasmentioned,uh,whereyouwereshotinthebackoftheheadbyyour,aboveyourear.And,andsurvived.Um,ourclientisaccusedofdoingthesamethingtosomeone.Well,convictedofdoingthesamethingtosomeoneelse.Um,andsoIwasjustwonderingifyouwouldbewillingtotalkwithmeatallaboutwhathappenedinyourcase.

So,um,IguessthepolicethoughtthatCottonSalmondidit?Ok,so,they…thepolicereportsaidthatyouhaddecidednottoprosecute?Um..oh,soifyouhadfoundwhoitwasyouwouldhavewantedtoprosecute?

[19:52]SusanSimpsonJTwasreluctanttotalk,anddidn'twanttogivetoomanydetails,buthedidtellClareabouttheeventsthathadledtohimbeingshotinthebackofthehead. [20:00]ClareGilbert

Sohehada,hesayshehadatraileronhispropertythatwasfullofstuffthatgotstolen.Andaboutaweeklaterhesawitdrivingdowntheroad,someonedrivingitdowntheroad,um,inadark--thedriverhadadarktruck.Sohedidau-turn,didau-turn,gotinfrontofthetruck,triedtogetthetrucktostopandthat’swhenhegotshot.Hewaslookingintherearviewmirror.

[20:36]SusanSimpsonButasforwhetherCottonhadbeentheshooterthathe'dseenintherearviewmirror,thathecouldn'tsay. [20:41]ClareGilbert Yeah,butit’sprettyclearhedidn’twanttoimplicatehim. RabiaChaudry Yeah ClareGilbert Forwhateverreason.

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RabiaChaudry AllIknowis,everytimeCottonSalmon’snamecomesup,peoplegetscared. ClareGilbert Yeah(laughs) SusanSimpson Alittlebit. RabiaChaudry

Right?Imeanthat’swhatI’venoticedinliketwodays.Anytimecomesup-uh,Idon’twantnoneo’that...

[21:00]SusanSimpsonLastyear,IplayedCottonSalmon'sstatementtoMarkforthefirsttime.Markhadknown,ofcourse,thatStanleySuttonhadusedalotofsnitchesinthecaseagainsthim,peoplewho’dclaimedthatheorJoeyhadconfessedinjail,butMarkhadneverknownthatCottonSalmonwasoneofthem. [21:14]SusanSimpson Haveyoueverheardthatbefore?

MarkFreeIneverheardthat.Firstofall,Cotton--talkin’boutahit?CottonSalmoncometomeabout“wannaputahitonsomebody?”AtalakeinAlabama,oneoftheguyskilledoneoftheHell’sAngelsbrotherorsomethin’likethatand,yaknow…SusanSimpsonSoCottondidapproachyouaboutahit?(laughs)MarkFreeYeah,hedid.IsaidI’mnotahitman.(Susanlaughs)Isaid,Idon’tdothatkindofstuff.

[21:36]SusanSimpsonMaybeCotton'sofferwaslegit,butIdon'tbuyit.IhavetoimaginethatifCottonreallyneededtohireahitman,someskinnykidhemetinFloydCountyjail,thatwouldbeanawfullylongwaydownhislistoftopchoices.But,CottonwaspersistentinhiseffortstorecruitMark.

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[21:50]MarkFreeAndhegavemedetailsandeverythingabouttheman,thetattoos,andthisandthat.Ikepttellinghim,Isaid,I’mnotintothatkindofstuff.Isaid,Idon’tdothat.

[22:02]SusanSimpsonMyguess?CottonneverhadanyintenttohireMarkhasahitman.HewastryingtogetMarktosaysomethingincriminating,todosomethingthatwouldgivehimsomekindofdirt,sothathecouldreportittoStanleySutton,thepoliceofficerthathe'dbeenknowingforabout30years.[23:46]SusanSimpsonSoasforGary’scase,asforhowallthiswasabletohappen,that’sthebestI’vegot.AbouthowBowasabletocarryonforsolong,whyittooksolongforanyonetocare.It’sthesepatternsofselectiveenforcementofthelaw,ofspecialprivilegesgiventocertaincriminals,anda“lettheredneckskilltherednecks”mentality,aswellasa“it’sokaytogettherightguyforthewrongcrime”mentality--allofthatleduptowhatwesawinFloydCounty,andinMurrayandWhitfieldcounties.AllofthatwashowsomeonelikeBoSalmonwasabletoexist.Butthere’sstillanotherquestiontobeaddressedhereaswell,ofcourse.Andthat’swhatactuallyhappenedtoGracethatnightonAugust13,1974.Unlessanduntilmorewitnessescomeforward,therearesomequestionsherethatwejustwon’tbeabletoanswer.Wewon’tbeabletoknowwhathappened,notexactly.ButIdothinkI’vegotaprettygoodidea.AnditallgoesbacktowhyexactlyGarygotparoledin1981.Fromthestart,Gary’sstorytherejustseemedincomplete.Yeah,it'spossiblehewasparoled7yearsintoalifesentencefornormal,everydayreasons,despitethefactheshowednoremorseforhiscrime,becausehewasstillclaiminginnocence.Butshortlybeforehewasparoled,Garywastoldsomethingthatseemspotentiallyrelevant:thattheGBIhadaninformantwhosaidGaryhadn'tevenbeentherewhenGracewaskilled.And,ifIcouldfindthatinformant,assumingtheyexisted,maybeIcouldlearnmoreaboutwhyGaryhadbeenreleasedfromprison.AndaboutwhohadreallykilledGrace.SoIspentthenextcouplemonthstrackingdownGBIrecords,andIgotabreak.TherewereseveralinformantsintheGBIfiles.AndtwoofthemwereinformantsthatcameforwardsayingtheyhadknowledgenotjustontheHenryRidleyJr.murder,butaboutothermurdersBohaddoneaswell.

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ConfidentialInformant167didn'thaveaname,andgenderneutralpronounswereused,soIstilldon’tevenknowifit’sawomanoraman.Buttheotherinformant,#166,heridentitywasnotwaswellhidden.ShewasactuallyBeverlyEnsley--thewomanwho’dtestifiedagainstBoatbothofhistrials,bothforarsonandmurder.Only,Beverlywasn'therrealname--thatwasjustanaliasshe’dadopted.HerrealnamewasLana.AndshewasthereasontheFBI,theFederalBureauofInvestigationasopposedtotheGeorgiaBureauofInvestigation,hadbeeninvolvedintheBoSalmoncaseinthefirstplace.Shehadbeenabankrobber,whichisapparentlywhathaddrawnthefed'sattention,anditalsoseemedthatshe'dworkedoutsomekindofdealwhichiswhyshedidtestifyagainstBoattrialtwice.Onceforarson,forthefirebombingofTheOffice,andonceathismurdertrialforthekillingHenryRidleyJr.Butthenalsoathirdtime,againstBo'sco-defendantsinthemurder,TeddyBearMulkeyandEarlGreen.Ididn'tknowmuchabouther,though,beyondwhat’sinthetranscriptsofhertestimonyatthetrials,butIwasfinallyabletotrackherdownandgiveheracall.Iwasn'tsureifshe'dwannatalktome--asyoumightexpect,youdon'talwaysgetafriendlyresponsewhenyoucallupsomeoneoutofthebluetoaskabouttheirinvolvementinamurderfrom40yearsago.Butsometimesyoudo.WhenItoldLanathatIwasinvestigatingtheHenryRidleyJr.murder,andthatIwascallingherbecauseI'dfoundhernameinthecourtandGBIfiles,shebegantellingmeabouttheeventsthatleduptothat,everythingthathappenedbackthen.InevergotachancetotellherabouttheothercasesIwaslookinginto,orabouthowI'doriginallystartedlookingatacasethathappenedbackinFloydCounty.Andthen,shebroughtthecaseupherself.Rightas,fromthesoundofit,shewasdrivingthroughatunnel,andIcouldn'tbesurethatI'dheardwhatIthoughtIhad. [27:26]LanaEnsley

Wellwhat,oneoftheladies,ifyoucall(indecipherable)wasa,shewastheonethatBolivedwith,Charlotte.SusanSimpsonCharlotte?LanaEnsley(Indecipherable)Charlotte.Charlotte--Bohadkilledhermother….(indecipherable)

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SusanSimpsonSorry,you’recut...you’rea,you’rea...sorry,thephonejusta,droppedoutforasecond.What’dyousay?LanaEnsleyIsaidBoSalmon,hehadkilledCharlotte’smotheryearsago.SohewasgoinwithherinRome,Georgia.Andherhusband,boyfriendorwhateveritwas,gotsentoffforthat.AndItriedtotellthosepeoplebackthen,that’snotwhodidthat.Theydidthat.Andtheysaidwell,howcanyousaythat.AndIsaidbecausehetoldmethathewentin,hewentinthereandhepouredliquorandstuffalloverhisselfandgotonthecouchandtheycouldn’t,theysaidtheycouldn’tevenmovehim,andIsaidbecausehedidn’twantyoutomovehim.Butheshotthemanthroughthewindow,throughthekitchenwindow.Orshotthewoman,nottheman.Andthe,thehusbandgotsentoffforit,theboyfriendorwhatever.Butsohedidstufflikethat.Theywerewicked,theyweremean.Theywouldkillyou.SusanSimpsonSoheshotCharlotte’smother?

LanaEnsleyHekilledCharlotte’smother,yes.Andthehusbandgotblamedforit.SusanSimpsonDoyouknowwhyhekilledher?LanaEnsleyWellhewentoutwithher,hewasdatingher,Imean,youknowbehindtheback,youknowandshedidn’twanttoleavethatguy,andsohekilledher.Hewalkedaroundthehouseandshotherthroughthewindow.Kitchenwindow

[28:57]SusanSimpsonIhadamillionquestionsforLana.Fivemillion.Butshe'dhadanappointmenttomakeandhadtogetoffthecall,thoughshepromisedtocallmelater.Thateveningshedidcallback,andthistime,shewasslightlymorereticentthanbefore.She'dnoticedmyphonenumberwasaGeorgianumber,eventhoughI'dtoldherIlivedinWashington,DC--andthatgotherwondering.WasIreallyinDC?OrwasIfromGeorgia?.Afterall,shehadpeopleinGeorgiawhomightstillholdagrudgeagainsther.Sosheasked,WhowasIagain,andwhydidIwanttoknowaboutherroleinthetrialsforTheOfficeburningandforthemurderofHenryRidleyJr?

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[29:36]SusanSimpson Hello? LanaEnsley Hithere! SusanSimpson Hi!Thanksforcallingmeback!Isnowagoodtimetochat? LanaEnsley Yeah!Now,youhaveaGeorgianumber… SusanSimpson Ido,I’mfromGeorgia.IliveupinDCnow,butIkepttheoldcellphone. LanaEnsley

Ohokay,Iknewthat’saGeorgianumber.Uh,(laughs),sowhat,I’vegottaaskyouaquestion,whatgotyoustartedthinkin’aboutHenry?SusanSimpsonSo,it’safewthings.WhatIdo,Idosortofaninternetradioshowonlegaljusticeissues.LanaEnsleyUhhuh.SusanSimpsonAnd,but,Idon’tonlydothis,butoneofthemainthingsIfocusoniswrongfulconvictions.Um,andthere’samandowninFloydCountywhowasconvictedofamurderofhiswife,thathesayshedidn’tdo.LanaEnsleyHe’sdeadisn’the,Bo?SusanSimpsonYeah,heis.Butthemanconvictedofthemurderisnot,andthatwasthemurderofCharlotteSalmon’smother.LanaEnsleyHonestly,hedidn’tdothat,hedidn’tdothat.

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SusanSimpsonHowdoyouknowthat?LanaEnsley(chuckles)‘CauseBotoldme.Imean,youknow,Iworkedwiththesepeople,whenIsayIworkedwiththesepeople,youknowwhatImean,ImeanI’vedonethingsforthesepeople…SusanSimpsonWellthat’swork?LanaEnsleyWellyes,anditpaidyoualotofmoney.Andthenyougotalotofproblems.ButIdoknowthat,uh,Mr.Salmontoldme,Mr.Bo,he,wewereridin’alongoneday,andhe,weweretalk-Isaid,howdoI,look.I’mnotgoin’foranythingtokillsomeone.I’mnotgonnadoanyofthatstuff,that’snotwhatIdo,andifthat’swhat,youknow,I’mnevergettin’involvedinanythinglikethat.Souh,hesaidthatit’seasy,it’s,I’vedoneitbefore,andIsaid,“Wellwhatareyoutalkin’about?Whatdoyoumean?Who?What?DoIknow?”Andhesaid“No.”AndhetoldmethestoryofRome,Georgiathathewasgoin’withhermom.Anduh,hermomdidnotwanttoleavethatguy.Andsohewalkedaroundandheshottheguythroughthekitchenwindow.Heshothim.No,Imeanthewoman.Andthenheraninthere,hesaid,“AndIpouredthewholebottleofliquoronmyself,laidonthecouch,andpretendedIwaspassedout.”Andhesaid,so,andhehad--youknow,that’sjustthewayitwas--theguydidnotdothat!Isaid,allthoseyearsago,totheATF,theFBI,themandidnotdothat!Andyouknow,Bogaveallthefacts,andhowhediditandeverything,andIbelievehetoldthetruth!Idonotbelievethemandidit!

[32:09]SusanSimpsonItwaskindofhardtoprocesseverythingLanatoldme,becauseitwasjustsounexpected.Butonethinginparticularstoodouttome:theonlypersonthatLanacould'vegottenthisinformationfromwasBoSalmonhimself.Shedidn'thaveanyfirsthandknowledgeaboutthemurderofCharlotte'smother,andshehadn'tevenmetBountilacoupleyearsafterithappened.Andshedidn'tknowanyoneelseinvolvedinthecaseexceptforCharlotte,whosheknewthroughBo.SoeverythingLanawastellingme,thatwassomethingBooncetoldher.Shedidn'tknow,andcouldn’thaveknown,anythingelseaboutthecaseasidefromwhathadcomefromhim--infact,she'dassumedthatthisman,whoeveritwas,whowasconvictedofthemurderof

15

Charlotte'smother,thathewasstillinprison.Becausethelawenforcementofficersshe'dspokento,theyhadtoldhertheycouldn’treallydoanything,itwasbeyondtheircontrol.Butshe'dalwayswonderedwhathadhappenedtothatman,andshewasgladtohearwhenItoldherthathehadn'tspenttherestofhislifeinprisonafterall.[33:26]SusanSimpsonLanastilllivesinthesouth,upintheAppalachianmountains,whereshe'shelpingraisegrandkidsandworkingonhergarden.SheleftWhitfieldCounty,yearsago,afterBo'strials,andsheneverlookedback.Ifitwasn'tforafriendshevisitstherefromtimetotime,Idon’tthinkshe'devergotoGeorgia.Toomanybadmemories.And,asluckwouldhaveit,whenImetwithLana,therewasaprettyfiercestormcomingin,so,fairwarning,soundqualityisnotalwaysthebest.

[33:52]shortclipLanatalking,fewdistinguishablewords,withwindystorminthebackground.

[33:57]SusanSimpsonBackinthelate70's,LanahadbeenlivinginDalton.That'showshemetBoSalmonandtherestofthefolkshehungaroundwith. [34:04]LanaEnsley

Iworkedatuh,asmallbar,startin’off,calledThePub,Ithinkthatwasthename(laughs).Butuh,mybrothershotpoolatthatSportsmantavern.Andthat’showImetBo,anduh,JackPatton,anduhTeddyBear,RandallWilliams,youknow,JohnnyVaughn,alotofpeople.Andyoujustknewthem,youkindof,youknow,knewthemoutofwork,yougottoknowthem,youwerelookin’forcertainkindofpeople,Iwas,lookin’foracertainkindofpeopletohelpmedosomethin’...

[34:48]SusanSimpsonLanadidn'thangaroundintheSportmanherself.ThatwasBo'sfavoritebarmaybe,butitwasn'treallyaplaceyou’dgotorelax. [34:54]LanaEnsley

Idon’tthinkanyplaceI’veeversawwasquiteliketheSportsman.Itwaslike,roughandrugged,youbetterknowwhatyou’redoin’whenyougetinthere.Um,Irememberthisoneguy,hewasagoodguy,heworked,hecameintheretohaveabeeronemorning,anduh,therewasthisgalfromLouisiananamedSheree,andshewaswiththisoneguy.Andheandtheguythatworkedgotinafuss,Sheree’sboyfriend,andCharlesCarrollIthinkwasthatguy’sname,andhegotupandbeatthecrapoutofSheree’sboyfriend.AndShereegavetheguyabutcherknife,and

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whenCharlesgotuponthestool,I’msureitwasCharlesCarroll,thenthatguystabbedhimthroughthebackwithabutcherknifeandkilledhim.SusanSimpsonInthebar.LanaEnsleyInthebar.There’swhatchagot.

[35:43]SusanSimpsonButlivinginDaltoncouldbehard.Andnotjustbecauseoftheviolence.Financially,itwasastruggleaswell,andLanawasasinglemotheraswell,andraisingfourchildrenonabartender'ssalary,thatwasn'tgonnacutit.Lookingbacknow,shehasalotofregretsaboutthelifeshegotintoinDalton.Therisks,andtheconsequences,hadbeenfargreaterthanshe'dimaginedatthestart.Andbesides,itwasjustthewrongwaytoliveyourlife.Butatthetime,ithadallseemedtomakesense.

[36:10]LanaEnsleyYouknow,Imean,werobbedbanks.That’swhatwedid.Thatwas,youknow,whatmythingwas...SusanSimpsonCanIaskhowyoudidit?LanaEnsleyWell,youknow,itwasknown,itwasano-nonsensebunchofstuff.Youbetterknowwhatyouweredoing.Todayyouwouldn’tdothat,becauseyouknowandIknow,everything’scomputerized,everything’smoreupbeat,ontheball,policearedifferent.They’resmarter.

[36:42]SusanSimpsonButbackintheday,backbeforemoderntechnology,Lana'smethodsworkedwellenough.Andshecouldn'tseeanyreasonthatbeingawomanshouldstopherfromgettingintothefield. [36:50]LanaEnsley

Itwasjustlike,menweretheonesthatgottodothingstomakemoney.Andthenyoujustthink,whydoesthemangetalwaysconsidered?Whyaretheythepeople?

[37:10]SusanSimpsonShewasonlyinterestedinseriousjobs--notthatpenny-antestuff,assheputit,thatBoandhiscrewlikedtodo.Lanafiguredifyouweregoingtodoa

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crime,thenmakesurethatnoonegetshurt,andmakesurethepaydayisworthit.Sowhatshewasinterestedin,whatshewantedtodo,werethehighprofilejobs. [37:26]LanaEnsley

Ifyou’regonnago,ifyouwannagomakemoney,gomakemoney,butbeableto,youknow...how’mIgonnasaythis,beabletodoyourpartwithacalmhead,don’tbedrunk,don’tbedrugged,knowwhatyou’redoingandknowwhoyou’redoin’itwith.Soyourwholethingdependsonwhoyou’redoin’itwith.

[37:53]SusanSimpsonWhichiswhy,althoughshe'dbecomefriendswithBoSalmon,hewasnotsomeonesheworkedwithprofessionally,notforthebigstuff.Sometimesshewoulddopenny-antestuff,andthey’dworktogetherforthat.ButBowasaliability--hewasn'tsomeoneyoucouldtrusttodoanykindofseriousdealswith.WhenBotestifiedinhisowndefensethough,athismurdertrial,he'dgivenaslightlydifferentexplanationforwhyhewasneverinvolvedinthebankrobberies. [38:19]SusanSimpson

Youwouldn’thavebeenabletoheartestimony,‘causeyouwereawitnesstoo,butBotestifiedatoneofthetrialsthat,hewassayingthatyouonlytestifiedagainsthimbecauseyouweremadathimbecauseyou’daskedhimtohelpwithabankrobberyandhesaidno.LanaEnsley(laughing)That’salie!SusanSimpsonIthoughtitwaswhenIreadthat(laughs).LanaEnsleyWewouldneverhavetook,listen,wewouldneverhavetakenhim!Nooooo.SusanSimpsonOhsohewasnogood?LanaEnsleyHeshotdrugs.Bolied.Wewouldnever,Iwouldn't(inaudible),whywouldyouwanttotakeachanceofgoin'todosomethin'withsomebodyandmaybehewouldleaveyoulayin'andtakeallthemoney?

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It’sacrazylife,Susan,andpeoplecansay,“Wellwhatwasshedoin’there?Whatwereanyof‘emdoin’around--”wellit’sjustalifestyle.Whenyougetinvolvedinalifestylelikethat…thingsseemnormaltoyouthat’snotnormalandwhenotherpeoplelookonpeoplelikeme,allthosepeople,andsayeveryoneshouldhavebeenrunintoprison.Wellmaybeweshouldhave.Maybeweshouldhave.Um…likeIsaid,itwasjustwildcrazy,longagoandfarawaydaysthat…wasabunchofitfun?Sureitwas,‘til,likeIsaid,peoplegothurt.

[39:42]SusanSimpsonOvertime,whileworkingatthebar,LanahadgottentoknowBoandTeddyBear,andtheyspentalotoftimetogether.ShewasprobablyclosertoTeddyBearoverall,andcertainlythoughtbetterofhimoverall,butsheandBowouldhangouttoo.Heevenhadanicknameforher--thoughIthinkhischoiceofnicknamesaysalotmoreaboutBothanitdoesaboutLana.

[40:00]LanaEnsleyHetoldme,hesaid,because,everybodysaidyou’rebeautiful,hesaid“ugly,”andhecalledmeUgg,shortforugly(laughs).

[40:09]SusanSimpsonLanalikedBowellenough,though,'friends'isn'tatermshewouldusetodescribehim.Oranyonethatshehungoutwithatthattime,really. [40:16]LanaEnsley Well,notinthatkindoflifestyle,youknow,younever,nofriends,really.[40:21]SusanSimpsonAndBo'sdrugusemeantthateventhoughtheycouldbefriends,doingseriousjobswithhimwasnotanoption.

[40:27]LanaEnsleyWell,likeIsaidhe’snotoneIwouldhaveusedinagrandplan,because,uh,youknowifyougottastopanddosomedrugs,youdon’tneedtobedoin’toomuch.

[40:37]SusanSimpsonBofanciedhimselfapoolshark,thatwasonewayhemademoney,andaccordingtoGary,hewasquitegood.That'spartofwhyGaryhadinvestedinthepooltableinGrace'sbeerjoint--itbroughtincustomers,andBocouldplayandmakemoney.ButinDalton,Bo’sreputationasapoolplayerwasdecidedlymoremixed.AndaccordingtoLana,Bodidhavesuccessinpooltournaments.It'sjustthathissuccessshouldn'tnecessarilybeattributedtohisskillsasapoolplayer.

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[41:03]LanaEnsleyWhenImetBo,Irealizedhewasinvolvedinalotofstuff.Heconsideredhisselftobeamajorpoolshooter,buthedidputalotofstuffinalotofpeople’sdrinks.Toum,towinmoneyinpooltournaments,youknow…

SusanSimpsonSohewoulddrugthecompetition?

LanaEnsleyHewould,Imean,amongotherthings,yeah.

[41:27]SusanSimpsonItwasn'tjustwhenplayingpoolthough,thatBohadahabitofusingdrugsasawayofgettinganadvantageoverotherpeople.LanatoldmeaboutoneincidentwithBo,atimewhenhe'dofferedherdrugs,andtoher,ithadbeenasignalthatsomethingwasverywrong. [41:42]LanaEnsley

SomeonehadtoldmethatIneededtobereallycarefulbecausetherewasRandallthatwantedmekilled,andum,IwonderedifBowastheonehewasgonnaask…anyway,mycrazymind…Igotrightinthecarandsaid,youknow,let’sgo,we’llgogetsomethin’toeat.Thenhedidn’twanttogogetanythingtoeatandhestartedfixin’memyshotofmorphine.Isaid,“What’reyoudoin’?”Hesaidwhathewasgon’do,andhedidhis,andhestartedfixin’anotheroneandIsaid,“What’reyoudoin’,takin’anotherone?”Andhesaid,“No,I’mfixin’thisforyou.”AndIsaid,“YouknowIdon’tdodrugs.You’renotfixin’itforme.”IsaidIdon’tgetintocraplikethat.Butseeinhismindhethought,maybeshewillandit’llbeeasythisway.Butuh,andIhada.357stuckdownbythecardoor,butheknewIhaditdownoverthere,thatIalwayshaditthere.Anduh,itwasareal,itwasinthefalloftheyear,latefall,themoonwasout,itwasacoolnight.Anduh,hesaid“Pulloverrighthere.”Anduh,hegotoutandstoodandIseenhishandgodowntohisbeltlinewherehehadagunthereandhesaid,“Getout,andlet’slookatthemoon.”Isaid,“Bo,getinthecar.Youneedtogetinthecar,andI’vegottogo,I’vegottogopickmykidsup.”And,youknow,(sighs),itwas,Imeanhecouldhavetried,butI’msureIwassittin’inapositiontokillhimbeforehecouldeverthink,becauseIwouldhavejust,ofcourseIwouldhavehadtoshoot.Andhetoldmegoin’backoverthere,andIsaid,“What’reyoudoing,what’reyouthinkin’about?”andhesaid,“Youdon’tunderstand,there’salotofmoneyridin’outhere.”SoIdon’tknowwhothemoneywasridingfrom,but,anyway,thankgodinheavenitdidn’thappen.Anduh,wedidn’thavetodotheol’westernthing.

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[43:39]SusanSimpsonLanadoesn'tknowforsurewhatBo'splanswerethatnight,orwhatmoneyhewastalkingabout.Butshe’sprettysureifshehadgottenoutofthecarthatnight,thingswouldn’thavegonewellforher.AndshealsoknewaboutothermurdersBohaddone.Someofthem,anyway.ThestuffBohadtoldher.Likethecemeterymurders,whereJackPattonandBillyKellywereambushedandkilledin1978. [44:02]LanaEnsley

Hesaidtheygot,Billygotwhatwascomin’tohim.Isaidthatwaskindofbad,aboutthem,andhejustkinda,hewassmokin’acigaretteandhejustkindahadthiscrazylaugh.Andhejustsaid,“Ugg,hegotwhatwascomin’tohim.”SusanSimpsonButhedidn’tmentionJackgettingwhat…

LanaEnsleyNo,hedidnot.HenevermentionedJack.ButtheywouldhavehadtokillJackbecauseJackwouldhavecomebacktoit.

[44:26]SusanSimpsonLanaknewthatBohadbelievedthatCharlottehadhadarelationshipwithBillyKelly,andwouldn’tbreakitoff.AsLanatookit,thatiswhyBohadhimkilled.AndLanaknewothersinvolvedinthecase.Bohadn'tgonetothecemeteryalone,andtheytoldLanamoreorlessthesamestoryshe'dgottenfromBo.ThatitwasBillyKellyhe'dwantedtokill,notJackPatton.JackhadbeenBo'sfriend,buthisdeathwassortofanecessaryaccident,butnotreallyintended.

[44:53]LanaEnsleyWell,hewasn’tplanned.Itwasn’taplannedthingforJacktobethere.Buttheyknew,theyweresetupwhentheypulledintothegraveyard.Andum,theycouldhaveneverhaveletJackgobecauseJackwouldhavecomebackandkilledthemboth.

SusanSimpson

Jackran.

LanaEnsleyJacktriedtogetaway,yeah,whenhesawwhatwasgoin’on.

[45:12]SusanSimpsonItoldLanaaboutCharlotte'sstatement,theoneshe'dgiventotheGBIaboutthemurders,andwhenshedescribedwhatBohadtoldhersupposedlyandhowthemurdershadhappened.TherewereafewpartsofCharlotte'sstorythatmadeLana's

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eyebrowsrise,butthebasicoutlineofit,shethoughtthatwasright,oratleastitwasmoreorlessthesamestoryshe'dheardallthoseyearsago.

[45:30]LanaEnsleyAndshecansitthereandsay,wellit’smainlyoverme.Well,nottheJackthingwasn’t.Hewasjustthere.Idon’ttheyexpectedhimtobe.Anyway,pointbeingis,peoplearedeadanduh,there’snevergoingtobeanykindofinvestigationforallthat,thatwasadonedeal,Bo’sdead,andhewouldhavebeenthemainplayerinthat.

[45:57]SusanSimpsonLanahadremainedfriendswithBoafterthecemeterymurders.Andwhenexplainingthispartofherlifenow,tome,shekeptdescribinghow,yes,now,inhindsight,obviously,fromtheperspectiveofanormalhumanbeing,that'ssomethingthatcanbehardtofathom.Butbackthen,inthelifeshewasliving,theywereallliving,inthatmindsetshe'dhadatthetime,that'sjusthowthingshadbeen.

[46:18]LanaEnsleyItwasjustlikethispersonyouhadtobecomeinyourheadtosurvive.

[46:24]SusanSimpsonButthemurdersofJackPattonandBillyKellywereonething.Butthen,in1980,HenryRidleyJr.wasmurdered.Andthatwasadifferentthingentirely.

[46:32]LanaEnsleyWasIsurprisedwhenhekilledBillyandJack?No.SurprisedthathekilledJack.Butum,Iguessthathadtobe.Um,reallysurprisedthathewouldhavedonethethingwithHenryRidley.Nooneshouldthinkthatway.

[46:49]SusanSimpsonBothTeddyBearandBohadbeeninvolvedinHenry'smurder,whichhadhorrifiedher,butevenafterithappened,shestillregardedTeddyBearabitdifferentlyfromBo.

[46:58]LanaEnsleyButIthinkwithBo,itwasdifferentthanBear.Itwasathing,itwasathrill,itwasa…liketrappin’ananimalinaheadlight,youknow,Ithinkhegotathrilloutofplottin’,plannin’,andhurtin’people.

[47:20]SusanSimpsonThere'soneincidentfromafterHenry’sdeaththatstandsoutinLana'smemory,althoughLanastillcan’tquitemakesenseofit.

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[47:27]LanaEnsleyAfterHenrygotkilled,afterthey(raisesvoice)MURDEREDHenryRidley,someonehadagoatatthebarbecue,theyweregonnabarbecueagoat.AndBosays,no.I’mkeepinthatgoat.You’renotgon’hurtthatgoat.Sohegotthegoatforhiskids,itwasokaytokilllittleHenrybutitwasnotokaytobarbecuethegoat.SusanSimpsonHetookthegoattothevet.LanaEnsleyYes.Hemadeapetoutofit.

[47:56]SusanSimpsonLana'sstorygavemeananswertoonesmallquestionanyway,thatI'dhad.IntheGBIfiles,itdescribeshow,inthemiddleofcoveringupforHenry'smurder,BoandCharlottehadmadeasidetriptotakeagoattothevet,whichhadseemedoddandrandomtome.ButIatleastknownowwherethatgoatcamefrom.Itwasn'tjustLanawho'dbeenupsetbyHenry'sdeaththough.EvenformostofBo'sgroup,evenbytheirextremelyloosestandards,formanyofthem,thekillingofHenrywasabridgetoofar.Oratleastnothingtheywantedanyinvolvementwith.BasicallyallofthemhadknownthatBowaspartofthatmurderthough,becauseasfarasIcantell,there'shardlyanyoneBoknewwhohedidn'ttrytorecruittohelpwithit.

[48:36]LanaEnsleyEven,theguyPistolWhitener,nowhewasacharacter.Butum,evenhebackedofffromthekid.

SusanSimpsonOh,sohedid,hewasnot…

LanaEnsleyBohadtalkedtohim,justlikehedidotherpeople,youknow,andyougottathink,thatwasrathersilly,togo…

SusanSimpsonWellyeah,whydidBodothis?

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LanaEnsleyWhydidhegoaroundandsay,“Doyouwannahelpmedothis,”Imean,that’snotevenscratchin’thesurfaceonhim.Doyouwannadothisandthat,andalotofpeoplewouldsayno.Butwewouldallknowwhathewaswantin’todo.

SusanSimpsonWhywouldhedothat?

LanaEnsleyMm,that’sjustwhohewasIguess.

SusanSimpsonHejustwentaroundandaskedforhelpformurders…

LanaEnsleyWell,Imean,I’msuretheywereallguilty,sincethat’swhyPistolWhitener,ifIrecallcorrectly,hehadwenttoprisonforkillin’hiswife.

[49:25]SusanSimpsonBohadn'ttriedtorecruitLana’shelp,notforthatcrime.ButshehadbeeninformedofHenry'sdeathinadvance,somethingshestillgrappleswithtoday.

[49:34]LanaEnsleyWell,sometimeswhenyougobackonmemorylane,it’slike,shouldn’tyouhavesaidsomethingtosomebodysomewhere.AndIthinkno,becauseIwouldhavebeenkilled.Youknow.

SusanSimpsonMhm.

LanaEnsleyIwasathrillseeker,butIwasn’tthatcrazy.

[49:51]SusanSimpsonBythetimeLanawasinvolved,bythetimesheknewanything,BohadalreadytriedtokillHenrythreeorfourtimes,andfailedthreeorfourtimes.Andthenonenight,Bo,TeddyBear,andHenrypulleduptothehouseshewasstayingin,andTeddyBearcametothedoor.

[50:05]LanaEnsleyWhenBearsaid--Ihadborrowedthegunfrom,BoorBearone,forsomethin’,thatIneededitfor,nottokillanybody,butum,Ihadkepttheshells.Ihadn’tgavehim

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backtheshells.Andthatnighthecamebyandheneededtheshellsback,andIsaid,“Whatyouguysgonnado?”Andhesaid,“We’regoin’uptothemountain,we’regonnagodeerhuntin’.”Andthispersonthatwasatmyhouse,Irememberhimsittin’thereandhewaswatchin’meandwatchin’myreactiontoall--andIsaid,um,andhetoldmehesaid,whentheyhadleftthedriveway,hesaidum,“Youknowwherethey’regoin’,don’tyou?”AndIsaid,“Deerhuntin’?”andhesays“No,they’retakin’thatboyandthey’regonnakillhim.”Isaid“Ohmygosh,ohmygosh.Whatcanwedo?”andhesaid,“Whatisittoyou?It’snoneofyourbusiness,whatdoyoumean‘whatcanyoudo’?”AndIrememberhimsittin’there,hewasstarin’atme,andhewaswatchin’me,becauseheandIdidalotofhighprofilestufftogether,andIthought,he’sgoingtowatchmeandseehowI’mgoingtoreacttoallthis.

[51:13]SusanSimpsonInreality,IthinkLanawasright.Thatbythetimesheknewwhatwasgoingon,therejustwasn'tmuchofanythingshecouldhavedone,notasthingswerethenin1980.ItremindedmeinsomewaysofthestoryGarytoldme,aboutthetimeheandhisfriendDinkhaddeliveredarifletoJudgeScoggin,andDinkhadtoldhimofwhatwouldhappennext.TherewaslittlethateitherLanaorGarycould'vedonetochangefutureevents.Likelynothingtheycould'vedone.AndinthecaseofHenry,peoplehadtriedtointervenealready,triedtomakeHenryunderstandwhatwashappening.Itjusthadn'tworked.

[51:46]LanaEnsleyWherewereyougonnago?What,whowereyougonnatell?Wereyougonnatellthekillercops?WereyougonnatellJackDavisthesheriffthatranthedrugs?Youknow?Hewasthebiggestdrugdealerdownthere.Whatwereyougonnasay,“They’retryingtotakesomebodyupthereandkillhim?”Butyouknow,itjust,wasnotpossible.AndwouldhehavebelieveditifIhadgothimupandsaid,“Look,stopbein’anidiot,they’regonnatrytokillyou.”

SusanSimpsonHewaswarned…

LanaEnsleyHewasverywarned.

[52:14]SusanSimpsonIntheend,therewasnothingthatLanacoulddothatnight,thatBoandBearandHenrycametoherdoor.Buttherewasonethingshecoulddoafterwards.Shecouldturnstate’sevidence.

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Itwasn'tHenry'sdeathalonethatmadeLanacomeforward,notthatbyitself.Henry'sdeathhelpedpushherovertheedge,buteverythingchangedforherwhenafederalagentshoweduponherdoorsteponedaynotlongafterHenry'sdeath. [52:48]LanaEnsley

TheATFagentcamewithsubpoenatogotocourtandIsaidno.Andhesaid,youbetterlistentome,WalterHoldenmadeadealthatsaidIdrovethecarwheretheytook...wheretheyjumpedoutandblewnightclubup.

[53:04]SusanSimpsonWalter“Squeaky”Holden.AsfarasIcantell,SqueakywasthelinchpinthatsetalltheprosecutionsagainstBoinmotion,andhe'dsavedhisownskinindoingso,andgotagooddealforit.Ofcourse,Squeakybyhimself,washardlyenoughtogetthejobdone.Hejustwasn'tallthatcredible.Butwhathecoulddowasgivetheinvestigatorsleverageoverotherwitnesses,morecrediblewitnesses--otherpeoplewhocouldtestifyagainstBoatthearsonandmurdertrials.AndoneofthepeoplehecouldgivethemwasLana. [53:34]LanaEnsley

Hesaid,we’regonnahaveasome...there’ssomeFBIagentsgonnacomeandtalktoyou.Yougonnagetachoice.You’regonnaeithertellthetruthoryou’regoingto,uh--we’regonnaremoveyourchildrenandyou’regoin’toprison.So,when...notwantingmykidstobeputintofostercare,ifIhadnothadchildreninvolveditwouldhavebeenadifferentstory.ImightnothavebeenthePTAmom,but,um,ifIdidn’tworka9to5,Istilltriedto,youknow,tomakesuretheyhadclothes,wenttoschool,andthenormalthings.Ididn'twantthosekidstakenintotheDepartmentofSocialServices.SoIsaidokay.AndthenIthoughtaboutitandIthought,whydoIcareanyway?TheykilledHenryRidley.

[54:20]SusanSimpsonWhenLanatalkedtotheGBI,aspartoftheinvestigationintoBo'svariouscrimes,aswellasthingsthatLanaherselfbeeninvolvedinwithoutBo,oneofthethingsLanatoldthemaboutwasaboutamurderthatBohadtoldherhe'ddoneinFloydCounty.Oneday,whenthey’dbeenridingalong,Bohadtriedtorecruitherasahitman,andtoldherastoryaboutjusthoweasyitwastogetawaywithmurder. [54:43]LanaEnsley

WhenImetBo,afterImethimandknownhimforawhile,andwhenhesaid“whatisyourgame?”andIsaid,“wellwhatisyourgame?”andhesaid,hewas...Iwasdriving,hewassitting,andhesaid,“killingpeopleismygame,Ug.”AndIsaid,“ohberidiculous!”Andhesaid,“noI'mveryserious.”Hesaid,uh,“wecoulddoagoodbusinesstogether,youandI.”AndIsaid,“wellitdependsonwhatkind.”Andhe

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said,“what'dIjustsay?”AndIsaid,“youaresosilly!”Andhesaid,“lemmetellyouhoweasythisis.”AndthenhetoldmeaboutaladynamedGrace.Thatheshotherthroughthekitchenwindow.Andthenhepouredabottleofliquoroverhisselfandraninandlaydownlikehewaspassedout.Andhesaid,andtheycamein,andhesaid,“theyknewIcouldn'thavedoneit,because,whynot--I'mpassedout.”

[55:33]SusanSimpsonLanadidn'tknowmuchaboutBo'smotiveinthemurder.Orrather,fromwhatsheunderstood,themotivewasaboutassimpleandstraight-forwardasitgets--asimplenarrativeofaloverscorned.

[55:44]LanaEnsley Ah,hemadearemarkonetimethathewantedthemotherbutgotthedaughter. Shehadsomething,sheownedalittlebeerjointorsomethinglikethat. SusanSimpson Shedid. LanaEnsley

Ican’tquite…yes,yes.Anduh,Bowasintherehelpingoutandallthatstuff.That’showhegotinvolvedinthe,andyouknowhewantedherandshedidn’twanthim.Whenitcomedowntoit,shewantedtheotherman.Andhekilledher.

[56:07]SusanSimpsonBonevermentionedGary'sname,oranydetailsabouthim,really.Allhe'dsaidwasthatGracehadbeenwithanotherman,andthatmanhadbeentheonetogodownforhermurder. [56:16]LanaEnsley

Hejustsaidanoldboydowntheregot…Isaid,wellwhogot...who...surelythepolicehadtogetsomeoneforkillingthatwoman?Andhesaid,welltheydid.Andhethoughtthatwasrealfunny,andhesaidbutitwasn'tme.AndIsaid,wellwhathappenedtothepersonwho...didtheyget..?Andhesaid,theywenttoprison,that’swhathappenedtothem.AndIalwayswonderedifhe'dliedandyouknowandonceIhadanopportunitytouh,askthispersonthatwasaGBIagent,Iaskhim,Isaid:Isthistrue?Isthis,couldthispossiblybetrue,becauseIhadmethimdownthere,andIsaid,wouldyou,couldyoufindoutifthereisaninnocentmansomewhereinjailforthismurder?Andthenhetoldme,hesaid--yes,thereis.Thereis.

[57:03]SusanSimpsonAfterIspoketoLana,shelistenedtothepodcast,andforthefirsttimeheardsomeofthedetailsaboutwhathadactuallygonedowninFloydCounty,and

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howGaryhadbeenconvicted.Butfromtheveryfirstepisode,therewasonethingLanadidn'tget.WhenGarywokeupinthatjailcellwithnomemoryofwhathadhappenedand,whydidhenotknowinstantlyexactlywhathadoccurred?

[57:22]LanaEnsley WhenIheardyourpodcast,thereabout,theguycan'tremember.AndIaskedyou,

whycan'theremembertoknow,ifheknewBo,whatBodid?Bo'sdrugofchoicewasaQuaaludeormorphine.SusanSimpsonSo,ifGarywouldhaveknownBowell,he'dhaveknownthat’swhatBodid?LanaEnsleyYeah,hewouldhave.I'msurehewouldhave.

[57:41]SusanSimpsonGaryhadn'tknownBowell,though.Hadn'tknownabouthismethodsofgettinganadvantageoverothers.SoforBo,gettingawaywithmurderinthiscase,hadbeenassimpleashetoldLana. [57:51]LanaEnsley Theycomein,theyhadtopickhimupanddraghimoff.Hesaid,byhesaidIwas

awareofthewholething.Andhesaid,nowdoyouseehoweasyitis?Isaidthat'sawfulsomeone'ssittingsomewhere.Hethoughtitwasfunny.He'dlaughhisoldcrazylaughandsay,that'slife,Ug,that'slife.

[58:05]SusanSimpsonAsfarasLanacouldtell,herstoryaboutGrace'smurderwasforgottenbytheauthoritiesjustassoonasshe'dtoldit.Thatwasn'tacasetheywereworkingon,andthatwasn'tsomethingtheycouldhelpherwith.Andthat'sjusthowlifewas.Andthenlater,afterthetrials,afterBoandBearandEarlGreenwereconvicted,LanaleftGeorgia.Shekindofhadto--becausetherewereothercasesshe'dbeeninvolvedwith,othercasesshe’dhelpedon,andthoseinvolvedpeoplewhoweretrulydangerous. [58:33]SusanSimpson Youwereinwitnessprotection,right? LanaEnsley Itriedthat.Itriedthat,Ijustwantedtoseewhatitwaslike.

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SusanSimpson Itwasn’tforyou?[Bothlaugh] LanaEnsley No. SusanSimpson Well,whathappenswhentheyputyouinwitnessprotection? LanaEnsley Oh,well,well.Theysay,sellyourcar,youknow,let’sgetya-we’regonnatakeyou

andwe’regonnadoallthisstuff-and,justformyown,youknow,onemoretime,let’sgetonalittleadventurehere,andseewhatallthisisabout,um,butitwasn’tfromthatmess,youknow.Thatwasnotwhatit-

SusanSimpson Oh,thiswasfromtheothermess? LanaEnsley Oh,yeah,thiswasnotanythingtodowiththosebozos.[59:10]SusanSimpsonShechoseanewname.Toni.WithanI.Because,asshetoldme,whythehecknot?But,underthewitnessprotectionprogram,shegotassignedtoastateinthenortheast,afarcryfromtheAppalachianMountainsthatshe'dgrownupinandspentmostofherlifearound.AndwhenitcametochoosingbetweentheDixieMafiawhowantedtokillherandlivingaroundYankees,thechoicewasobvious.Sheleftwitnessprotectionandwenthome.Andtriedtostartanewlifethere. [59:35]LanaEnsley

Youhavetouh,cometothispointinyourlifewhereyouum,cometorealize…thingsjustneedtobeasnormalinpeople’slives,astheycanbe.Justdothe9to5thing.Justdothefamilything,youknow?Justtrytobenormal.

SusanSimpson Sowhathappenedtoyouafterthetrial?AfterthetrialforBoanduh,EarlGreene

andthem? LanaEnsley Well,Icamebackhomeandtriedtobenormal.[Laughs]

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[1:00:15]SusanSimpsonI'mnotsosurethattheGBIdidn'tdoanythingaboutthestoryLanahadtoldthem.TheGBIseemedverymuchinterestedinwhatshe’dsaid.Or,atleast,AgentBillDodd,theleadinvestigatordid.Charlottetoldmehe'dquestionedheraboutit,backin1981,he’dbroughtupthecaseandaskedherifBo’dbeeninvolved,andshe’dtoldhimno,thathewasofftrack-thattherightmanwasalreadybehindbarsforit.ButDodd'sfilesdon'treflectanythingabouttheFloydCountycase.Perhapshehasfileselsewhere,undersomeGBIcasenumberthatIhaven'tfoundyet.Andifso,I'dliketobeabletofinditoneday.Maybethere’sanswersthere.Becausehere'sthething.LanawasaninformantwhotoldtheGBIaboutGrace'smurder,butshewasnottheinformantthatIwasoriginallylookingfor.She'snotthewitnessthatGarywastoldaboutbackin1981,whenOfficerJerryBoydpulledhimintohisofficeandtoldhimthattheGBIsaidtheyhadaninformantthatsaidhewasn’teventherewhenGracewaskilled.LananoclueaboutwhereGarywasorwasnotatthetimeofthemurder,,thathadn'tbeenapartofanystoriesthatBotoldher.Whichmeansthereisanotherinformantoutthere,somewhere.Actually,weknowforafactthereis,becausethere'satleastoneotherinformantthattheGBIgotinfofrom,BillDodd'sfilessayasmuch--inadditiontoLanaEnsley,CI166,therewasalsoCI167.AndI'veyettobeabletodiscoverwhoCI1-167reallyis.Theymaybedead,ormaybeoneofthewitnesseswhodecidednottospeaktome,ormaybeit’ssomeoneitneverevenoccurredtomecouldhavebeenoneoftheGBI'sconfidentialinformants.Fornow,though,Lana'sstoryiswhatwehave.Andthere'splentythereI'mstillstrugglingtounderstand.IamconvincedthatBotoldLanathethingsshedescribes.WhatIamlesscertainofiswhetherBowastellingherthewholetruth.AndLana'sstorystillcan'ttelluseverythingaboutwhathappenedthatnight,becauseIdon'tthinkBodidn’ttellLanaeverything.Sheonlyknowsthepartssheheard,andshehadn’tevenreallycaredtoheareventhatatthetime.But,partsofthestorythatBotoldLanaaredefinitelytrue.LikethepartaboutBoseemingpassedoutwhenthepolicegothere.That’sexactlywhatthepoliceandBeverlyhadobservedafterthemurder,andwhytheyweresoconfidentthatBohadn’tbeeninvolvedinGrace'sdeath.But,accordingtoLana,ithadallbeenaprettytransparentact,really.He’ddumpedliquoronhimselfandpretendedtobepassedout,andeveryoneelsejustassumedhereallywas.

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OtherpartsofLana'sstorywerecompletelyoutofleftfieldforme,though.LikethepartaboutBoandGracehavingarelationship.ThatIhadn'tseensuggestedbefore--GaryhadnevermentionedthathehadanycluethatBoandGracehadanythingbutaplatonicrelationship.Ihadfloatedtheideatohimbefore,onceortwice,asoneofathousandrandomideasIwastryingout,buthe'dsaidno,he'dseennothingtosuggestthat.Andit'snotjustthathe'dfailedtonotice--iftherehadbeensomethinggoingon,hesaid,hethinkshewouldhavenoticed.

[1:03:21]GaryReevesIdidn’tseeanyflirtingwiththemonthat.She-I’veseenGraceflirtaround,youknow?ButIneverdidnoticeanythingthereSusanSimpsonSo,youwouldhavenoticedflirting?Youdidn’tnoticeflirtingwithBo?GaryReevesIwouldhavenoticedthis,butIneversawher-Ineversawthat-herwithBo.

[1:03:45]SusanSimpsonI'mlessthancompletelyconvincedbythis.TherearethingsGracehidfromhim,secretsshe'dkept,thathehadn'thadaclueabout.HerhistorywithBocould'vebeenoneofthem.AndIdoknowthatBoandGracekneweachotherfrombefore.FrombeforeBowenttoprisonforattemptedmurder,backinthe60’s.GraceandGarydidn’tgettogetheruntilabout1968,andbythen,Bowasalreadylockedup.But,beforethen,inthemid60’s,theearly60’s-theykneweachother.Theywerefriends,ormaybemorethanfriends.AndafterBogotoutofprisonagain,in1974,he’dstartedarelationshipwithGrace’sdaughter,Charlotte,andthathadbotheredGarysome.Charlottewasn’thiskid,hehadnoauthorityoverhimasaparent,butithadobviouslybeenabadsituation.AndGarycouldn'tunderstandwhyGracewasokaywithit. [1:04:32]GaryReeves WhenIfirststartedplanningIrealizedI’dmadeabadmistakewasthatDaytona

trip.Iknewthenthatthiswasnotgood.WhenshestartedtellingBoSalmonhowproudshewouldbetohavehimasason-in-lawandIrememberthinking,youhavelostit.Ofcourse,shewasdrunk,andshewasprobablywasribbingme,atthat.

[1:05:01]SusanSimpsonIthinkBowasprobablybeingtruthfulwhenhetoldLanathathe'dhadarelationshipwithGrace,andthathe'dwantedherbutshewouldn'tleaveGary.I'mnotsure,though,aboutwhetherhisstoryaboutthemotive,aboutwhyhe'ddoneit,andwhyhe’ddoneitthen,I’mnotconvincedthatpartwasthewholetruth.

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[1:05:28]SusanSimpsonOnthedayGracedied,Garyhadalreadymadeuphismindtoleave.Hewastiredofthechaos,tiredofwhatlifeinRomewaslike.Andthebeerjointwasn'tworkingouteither--Gracehadgottenintosomefinancialandlegaltroubleswiththeguythatwasessentiallythelandlord,anditwasnotgoingtoendwell.GarywasdonewithRome.AndifGracehadn'tbeenkilledthatnight,Garywould'vebeengonethenextday,ormaybetheoneafter,headedbacktoAtlantaprobably,withhissonSean,andtrytogethisoldjobback,orfoundanewone.Buthisplanhadn’tbeensimplytodisappearinthenight.GraceknewGarywantedout,andthathewasgoingtoleave. [1:06:07]GaryReeves Gracehad-wasinamess.

SusanSimpson Thebarwasgoingdownonewayoranother,prettymuch.

GaryReevesThebarwasgone.Itwas-thebarwashistory.Itoldherlook,youwannagetawayfromthis?Let’s-I’llfigureoutsomeway.We’llcomeupwiththemoney,youknow.Whateveryouowetheguy.Look,let’sgotothemountains,getawayfromhereforawhile.‘Cause,Iwas-Ididtrytogethertoleavewithme.SusanSimpsonAndshedidn’tsayno?GaryReevesShedidn’tsayno.No.

[1:06:43]SusanSimpsonShedidn'tsayyes,either.Shewasn'treadytogo.Butthingswerestillupintheair,andthepossibility,atleast,wasthere..AndthisremindsmeofoneofthethingsBeverlytoldme,abouthowonthenightGracewasshot,there'dbeensomekindofconflictthatday,somethingtodowithCharlotteandBoleavingorsomething,andIwonderif,justmaybe,Beverlyhadthestorybackwards.Itwasn'tCharlotteandBothatwereleaving--itwasGraceandGary.Andthat'swhatsetBooff.Thatwouldmeanitwasacrimeofpassion,almost--plottedafewhoursinadvance,maybe,butnotmethodicallyplanneddaysinadvance,andifBowasthatangry,ifhewas

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setoffbysomething,wouldn'tGaryhavenoticedsomethingorshouldn’ttherehavebeensomekindofsigh?Actually,hemayhavebeen.ThatdaybeforeGracewasshot,Bohadwreckedacar,andthentriedtostartafightwithGary. [1:07:40]GaryReeves IwishIcouldrememberwordforword.Ican’tremember…Ittookmebysurprise

thatfirstofall,hesurvivedthewreck,andclimbedoutofthearcussingandraisingHell,like,likeIcausedthewreck.Itwasallmyfault,youknow?But,thatwasastrange…thinkin’backonit..Itwasweirdbecausewehadhadnowordswhatsoever-ever-itwasstrictlybusinessstuffwithhimandRichardandme.

[1:08:15]SusanSimpsonGarydoesn’trecallexactlywhatitwasBowasyellingabout,andhedoesn’trecallGracebeingmentioned.OnethinghedoesrememberBoSayingis“I’mnotafraidofyouoryourguns.”Garyhadrecentlyboughtanimitationmachinegun.Notarealmachinegun,butareplicathatkindoflookedlikeone,andBoknewaboutit.They’devengoneandpracticeshottogether.AndasfarasGarycouldtell,that’swhatBowasreferencing.But,Gary’snotreallysurewhatanyofthatmeans.Thewreckwasalwayspartofthestoryaboutwhathappenedthatday,buthe’snevergivenitmuchimportance-it’sjustsomethingthathappened.IbecameinterestedinitbecauseofthepossibleimplicationsithadforhowGracegothomefromthebeerjointthatnight-sinceCharlottehadtodriveBohomefrom-inGrace'scar,duetothewreck,itmeantGracedidn'thaveacarofherown.AftertalkingtoLana,though,Ibegantowonderifthecarwreckwassignificantforanotherreason.And,ifperhapsI'ddismissedthisstoryasmeaninglesssimplybecauseIdidn'tknowhowtomakesenseofitatthetime.We'llneverknownowwhatexactlywasgoingthroughBo'sheadwhenhecrawledoutofthatwreckedcarandstartedraisingCainandfussingatGary,butitdoeslendalittlesupport,atleast,totheideathatBocould'vehadsomekindofpersonalmotivethatday,forhurtingGary.AndthatbringsustothelastbigthingfromLana'sstory.Thepartthat,atleasttome,wasthebiggestWTFoutofeverythingLanahadtosay.BecauseBotoldherthathe'dcommittedthemurderinawaythatI'dneverconsidered,neverentertainedthepossibilityofithappening.HetoldherthatGracehadbeenshotnotbysomeoneinthekitchen,butbysomeonestandingoutsideandfiringthroughthekitchenwindow.

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SummersinGeorgiaarehotandmuggyandtherewasnoairconditioningintheMapleStreethouse.So,thewindowitselfwould'vealmostcertainlybeenopen.Theideathatashotcamethroughthewindow…it'spossible,anyway.Orrather,it'spossiblethatashotcamethroughthewindow.Whatisnotpossibleisthatallofthemdid.Withoutarecordofthecrimescene,withoutphotos,withoutanautopsy,there'sonlysomuchwecanknowforsure.Butwhat'sasnearcertainasitcanbeisthattherewere4or5or6shotsthathitGrace,andatleast5or6shotsinall.AndatleastoneshotwaspresumablyfireddownafterGracehadalreadyfallen,andwentthroughhertostrikethefloor.Still,couldoneoftheshotshavebeenfiredthroughthewindow?Idon'tknow.Ihavestaredatphotosandhousediagramsandgooglemapsandtriedtomakesenseofitall,butattheendoftheday,IhavetoconcludethatIcan'tconcludeonewayoranother.Withoutarecordofthecrimescene,ofthebullets…basicdetails-prettymuchanythingcouldbepossiblehere.But,oneoftheshotsthatnightfailedtohititstarget--itstruckthebacksplashofthekitchencounterinstead.And,intriguingly,butmaybemisleadingly,thatstraygunshothitdirectlyacrossfromthekitchenwindow.Thenagain,maybethat'sjustacoincidence.Thereisonecommondetail,though,betweenBeverly’sstoriesandGary'sstoriesthatmayofferacluehere.WhenGarydescribeshismemoriesoftheshooting,hisstoryisoftenaswildandflexibleasBeverly's-allkindsofpossibilitiesareentertained,inasortofdreamlikereconstructionofevents.Butonedetailisalwaysthesame.Garygoestothekitchenandgetssomeice--theydidn'thaveafreezer,sothey'dbringicehomefromthebarandputitthesinktouse--andit'salwaysjustashegetstothesink-getstotheice,thathehearsagunshotandallhellbreaksloose.It’sjustoneshothehears,heneverremembershearingmore,andalwaysit'satthesink.Beverlytellsthatpartofthestoryinasimilarway.Whenthatfirstshotringsout,Garyisalwaysatthesink.

[1:12:13]GaryReeves Welldidyouseemeshoother? BeverlyReynolds

Dowhat?

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GaryReevesDidyouseemeshoother?

BeverlyReynoldsWell,that'sallIrememberisseeingyoustandingatthatkitchensink.

GaryReeves

Soyoudidn’tseemeshoot?Youdidn’tseemefireagun- BeverlyReynolds

IdidnotsaylikeIsaidincourt.Ineverseenyourgunshoot-andItoldyouIwouldbewillingtogounderfuckinghypnosis.Iwouldgoundertruthserum.IfIknewthetruth.BecauseGary,allIremember-swearingbeforeyouandGod-isyoustandingatthatsink.That’sallIremember.[Voicecracking]

[1:12:57]SusanSimpsonBeverly'sstoriesaboutthenextfourorfiveshotsarealloftheplace,there'snotmuchconsistencytothem.But,thereisoneversionofthestoryshe’stoldseveraltimes,althoughitmadeattorneysveryfrustratedeverytimeshetellsit. [1:13:15]Attorney Younowsaythere’showlongbetweenthefirstshotandtheotherfive? BeverlyReynolds About10minutesbeforeIgottothedoor. Attorney Youmeanitwasten-itwasthatlong,honey? BeverlyReynolds Yeah Attorney Now,now…You,now,tenminutesisa-nowI’mnottryingto-

BeverlyReynolds It’salongtime Attorney I’mnottryingtobackyouup,butImeanfromthetimeyouheardthefirstshotuntil

theother5,itwastenminutesthatelapsed?

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BeverlyReynolds

Ilaydownonthatbedfrom5to10.BeforeIgotuptothedoor. Attorney Why?Whydidyouwaitsolong? BeverlyReynolds

Idon’tknow.Iwasscared.[1:13:44]SusanSimpsonBut,themostbelievablepartofBeverly’sstory,atleasttome,wasthatshewastooscaredtomovewhentheshootinghappened.AndIthink,maybe,possibly,sheheard2differentshootingswhilehidingthere.Thefirstshot,whenGarywasatthewindow,that’slikesheandGaryalwaysdescribe.Butitwasn’tuntilfiveortenminuteslater,thatashadowcameintothekitchen.Andfourorfivemoreshotswerefired,andifGracehadn’tbeendeadalready,shewasdeadbytheendofthat.Only,itwasn'tashadow,becauseshadowsdon'tleavebloodyfootprints.Andshadowsdon'tcarryawaygunsthatareneverfound.Andshadowsdon'thavethesameprofileasRichardHolcomb.PerhapsBeverly'sstoriesabouttheshadowaremadeuptoo,butIthinktheycouldbetrue.Theshadowthathadthegeneralheightandbuildofmanwhocould'veeitherbeenGaryorRichard--maybethathappened,andmaybeBeverlyguessedwrong.BecauseeventhoughBomayhavetoldLanathathewasbehindthemurder,thathecarrieditoff,thatdoesn'tmeanthatpart’sthewholetruth.WhatIdoknowisthatineverysinglecrimeBohascommittedatanypointinhislifethatIhavearecordfor,Bodidn'tdothecrimealone.Healwayshadanaccomplice.Always.Evenwhenhavinganaccomplicewasaterribleideathatdidnothingtohelpouttheplan,he'dinvitefriendsalong.And,ifMysteryManandRayAlmondaretellingthetruth,RichardwastellingpeoplethatBohadinvitedhimalongforthiscrimetoo.Andallofthisisjustaguess,butit'sthebestwayIhavetomakesenseofeverythingIknow.I'mstillhopingtofindmoreevidence,morewitnesseswhomightrememberthings,andmaybetheycanhelpfillingapshere.But,fornow,thisiswhatIhave,andIthinkmyguessisalotclosertowhatreallyhappenedthanistheversionofeventsthestatetoldatGary’strial.AllofwhichwouldmeanBeverlyliedatGary'strialwhenshetestified..Whateverthetruthisthere,ofallthepeoplethatcontributedtoGary’sconviction,sheistheonlyonethatevertriedtomakeitright.Evenwhenitcameatgreatpersonalexpensetoherself.

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[1:15:54]BeverlyReynolds ButIwantyoutoknow,whenandifallthiscomestoahead,ok?Ihopethatyou

forgivemytestimony,'causeIreallybelievedthatyoukilledmymama.Ididthat.

GaryReeves Well,Beverly-

BeverlyReynolds Ihadmydoubts,I'vetoldmyhusband,Itoldmymother.Ilivedthefactthatyou

killedmymama.ButIalwaysdoubtedyoukilledmymama.GaryReevesWell,youaskedmetoforgiveyouonApril8,1975,forwhatyoudidonthewitnessstandagainstme,andIforgaveyouthen.AndIforgiveyounow.Youknow,I'veforgivenyouyearsago.

[1:16:58]SusanSimpsonOneoftheironiesofthiscaseisthatBeverlymaybetheonepersonwhocanbestunderstandwhatGaryhasgonethroughandwhatithascosthim.Becauseshe'sgonethroughitherself.Afterherconfession,Gary,hisfamily,andthepeopleworkingonhiscasetheyallthoughtBeverlyhadkilledGrace.Andattimes,herownfamilyfeltthesame.Andduetothefalseswearingcharge,Beverlyalsoendedupservingtimeinprisonforhermother'smurder. [1:17:22]SusanSimpson Ireallythinkherpainisasrealasyours.Shedoesn'tknowwhathappenedand

wishesshedid. GaryReeves

Idotoo.Andwhatbothersme,um,likeyousaidhowyoufeltinthatinterviewwithher,andmegoingbacktothesetapes,andalltheseyears,I’ve-IhearmyselfonsomeofthesetapesandIthought,Godalmighty.IwishI’dneverhavesaidthat.IwishIhadn’thavebeenso--tunnelvisionforher.Ialwaysfeltliketheotherpeoplewereinvolvedinit.Ididn’tknowhow,butaftersheconfessedtoit,that'swhatIhad.That’swhatIkeptbelieving.Butthislastyear,sinceyou’vegotinvolved,andyoutoldmewhatyoubelieved,andthenmere-listeningtothesetapes,andhearing--thatgirlwaspitiful,sorry,brokenhearted.AndI-Ifeltlikeajerk.MyGod.WhathaveIdone.I'vebeenaccusingherasmuchas,I-asthelawhasbeenaccusingme,I'vebeenbadasthemonher.

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[1:18:32]SusanSimpsonAsforCharlotte,Istilldon'tknowwhattomakeofherstories.Ithinkmostofthemmayjustbemeaninglessnoise,thingscobbledtogetherfromtranscriptsandstatementsofotherpeople,tofitanarrativeshewantstotell.TalkingtoCharlottedidn'tgivemeanyusefulanswers,becausealmostallthestoriesI'dheardwerestoriesI’dheardbefore--it'sjust,theyweretoldbysomeoneelseatthetime,usuallyBeverly.AndasfarasCharlotteisconcerned,everythingintheGBI'sfilesaboutherisamadeupstory,thattheGBImadeupfor-Godknowswhy.Butshehasnothingmoretocontributethere.ButLanaknewCharlottepersonally,andsheknewhowthingswerebetweenCharlotteandBo.SoIdogiveweighttoherviewonthedynamicsbetweenthem,andaboutwhyCharlottemighthavebeenwillingtolieaboutwhathappenedonthenighthermotherdied. [1:19:17]LanaEnsley AndIknowCharlottewasterrifiedofhim.AndI’msurepeoplelookonCharlotte

andthinkyou’reasorryperson.Ilookoncharlotteandthink,heknewthathecouldcontrolher.Heknewthathecouldgethertosayanddoanythingheaskedhertodo.

SusanSimpson Shewasalotyoungerthanhewas. LanaEnsley

Ohmygosh,hewasakid.Yes.[1:19:37]SusanSimpsonAsforBohimself…hisstorymostlyendsafterhisconvictionin1981.Hewasneverparoledfromhislifesentence,andhespenttherestofhisdaysinprison.BoandCharlottehadthreechildrentogether,allofthemveryyoungwhenBowentaway,andafterthatthechildren’sliveswereturnedupsidedown.Itwasn'tuntiltheygrewup,andbecameadultsthemselves,thattheyevergotachancetoknowtheirfather,andhavearelationshipwithhim.Bohaddoneterriblethingsinhispast,heacknowledgedthattothem,andexpressedregretforwhathe'ddone.Buttohiskids,hewasnotthesamepersonwhohadgonetoprisonallthoseyearsago.Theywerewithhiminthehospitalwhenhedied,in2005.ThelasttimeGarysawBowasinNovemberof1977.Itwasathisfinalpost-convictionhearing,downinCarrollCounty.Bowasatthecourt,becausehe'dactuallytestifiedatthathearing,thoughhedidn'tsaymuchonthestand--mostlyjustlaughedabouthowhe'dbeensodrunkhecouldn'trecallanythingaboutwhathadhappened.But,foralotofreasons,thathearinghadbeenprettybrutalonGary--thejudgehadmockedhisfatherandthreatenedtolockhissisterup,andthenissuedaswiftrulingfrom

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thebenchdenyinghispetition.Oncecourtwasover,afterGaryhadlosthismotion,hewentoutintothehallway.AndhesawBo. [1:20:51]GaryReeves Wehadcomeoutinthehall,andhadlost.Andhecomeout,andhesaid,thewheels

ofjusticeturnslow.SusanSimpsonBotoldyouthat?GaryReevesBosaidthatoutinthehallattheCarrollcountycourthouse..Thewheelsofjusticeturnslow.Mysistertalkedaboutthatforalongtime.Shealwaysrememberedthat.

[1:21:15]SusanSimpsonInitially,I'dassumedthatthisexchangehadbeenBo'swayofmockingGary,oftauntinghimonlosingwhatwasalmostcertainlyhislastlegalchallengetohisconviction.ButGarytoldme,no,ithadn'tbeenthatwayatall.

[1:21:27]GaryReeves Itwasmorelikeitwasuh-hecouldunderstand,y'know?Hewasn'ttauntingme,I

don'tthink,andhewasn’tmocking-orwhatever.Itwasmorelike,'Heyman,wheelsofjusticeturnslow,'andkindamaybedisappointedforme,isthewayI-bestIremember--andI’mtellinya,theconditionIwasinwiththatjudge,ifithadbeenamockery,orputtingitlike,'Okaywellyoustillain'tgonnagetoutofhere,'I'dhaveprobablystruck.Butitwasn’tpresentedthat-hedidn'tsayitthatway.

[1:22:13]SusanSimpsonIthinkthatislikelytheclosestthingtoanacknowledgmentofhisinnocencethatGarywillevergetfromanyonewhowasinvolvedinhiscase.ButGary’sstorydidn’tendthere,andit’snotovertoday.Legally,GaryisstillguiltyofGrace'smurder.Georgiadoeshavethepower,though,toissuehimapardonongroundsofinnocence.It'saslimchance,butit'sachance,andGaryisnevergivinguponhisdreamof,oneday,finallyclearinghisnameofamurderhedidn'tcommit. [1:22:38]GaryReeves

Iknowthestoryisending,butI-itain’tending.Iwastalkingwithafriendoneday,andIsaidtohim,I’velived26yearswiththisthingonmyhead.I’velived43yearscarryingit.IfIcouldgetexonerated,youknow,Iwonderhowmany-howmuchtimeI’vegotleft.IknowIdon’thaveasmanyyearsleftasI’velivedwithit,buthesaidsomethingtome,andhesaid,ifit’sONEDAY,it’dbeworthit.Sothatlongshot,that

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you’restilltalkingabout,andit’salongshotwithapardonoftheparoleboard.But,I’velivedlongshotsallmylife.

[1:23:33]SusanSimpsonAndthat'sthelastepisodeofUndisclosed,theStatev.GaryMitchumReeves.ButstaytunedforthisThursday'saddendum--JonCryerisback,andhewillinterviewmeandMitchum,andyouwon'twanttomissit.Asalways,transcripts,casedocs,andphotosareavailableonourwebsite,atundisclosed-podcast.com,andifyou'dliketotalkaboutthecasewithotherlisteners,checkusoutonFB,Twitter,Instagram,andReddit.ThisserieshasbeenabiggerundertakingthanIthinkIrealizedwhenIstarted,andcouldneverhavebeendonewithoutthehelpI'vereceivedalongtheway.FirstcredithastogotoChristieWilliams,myhusbandandin-housetechsupport,forhisunfailingsupportandpatienceoverthecourseoftheproject.He'satrooper.AveryspecialthanksalsogoesouttoDawnandJosephEvans--becausewithouttheirhelp,thispodcastwouldhavebeenamuchshorter,andmuchmoreincompletestory.ThanksalsogoestoAlexisNemeth,whovolunteeredtohelpwithsomeoutofstateresearch,anddidafantasticjobdiggingupnewinformationrelatedtothiscase…which,unfortunately,didnotgetcoveredontheshow,butwasnolessappreciatedforit.Iamalsogratefultoourintern,NajahBhatty,whospentendlesshoursdecipheringdifficultsectionsofaudio.And,ifyou'veusedtheepisodetranscriptstodeciphersomeoftheaccents,youcanthankEricaFladell,BritaBliss,DawnLoges,andSkylarParkfortheireffortstoprovideatranscriptforeveryepisodeinthisseries.Andfinally,oursoundeditorisRebeccaLavoie,oftheCrimeWritersOnpodcast--ifyouliketruecrimepodcastsandyou'renotlisteningtoCrimeWritersOn,you'redoingitwrong.NextMonday,we’llbebackwithanewepisode,aboutanewcase,inanewcity.Actually,we'llbebackwithanewseriesofcases,fromthesamenewcity.Becausewrongfulconvictionsdon'thappeninavacuum.Theyaren'taccidents.Whentherightconditionsareinplace,whenthewrongpeopleareinthewrongpositionsofauthority,andwhenthesystemhasdecidednottolooktoocloselyathowthesausageisbeingmade,wrongfulconvictionshappenagainandagain.Andeveninabigcity,sometimesthesamenamesstarttoappear.Againandagain.