Crime Alert 05.15.24

The jury took two minutes from entering the courtroom to announce the verdict: Richard Allen, guilty on all charges. Allen was convicted of felony murder for Abby Williams and Libby German, as well as for knowingly and intentionally killing both girls. Judge Gull maintained order in the courtroom, where there were no outbursts, but outside on the streets of Delphi, shouts of "Guilty on all charges" echoed. As Kathy Allen, Richard Allen's wife, left the courthouse, she was heard saying, "This isn't over at all." The jury, composed of seven women and five men, heard 17 days of testimony, including dozens of witnesses, disturbing jailhouse videos of Richard Allen, and photos of Abby and Libby as they were found at the crime scene. They deliberated for 19 hours over parts of four days to reach a unanimous verdict. Richard Allen was found guilty of four counts: two counts of felony murder and two counts of knowingly and intentionally killing Abby Williams and Libby German. Joining Nancy Grace today: Philip Dubé  – Court-Appointed Counsel, Los Angeles County Public Defenders: Criminal & Constitutional Law; Forensics & Mental Health Advocacy Dr. Bethany Marshall – Psychoanalyst, Author – “Deal Breaker,”  featured in hit show: “Paris in Love” on Peacock;, Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLivSheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7 Bill Daly – Former FBI Investigator and Forensic Photography, Security Expert Joe Scott Morgan – Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, “Blood Beneath My Feet,” and Host: “Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan;”X: @JoScottForensic  Susan Hendricks – Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi’;” IG: @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oregon parents use a taser, among other weapons, to "punish" their children. Intoxicated Disney concert-goer won't stop spitting on cops! For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elisa Lam embarks on a solo trip to California. Despite her parents' protests, she reassures them with a promise to check in daily by phone. She posts on her Tumblr blog, "I have arrived in LaLa Land." She checks into the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, planning to stay in her shared hostel-style suite for four days and three nights. Elisa is scheduled to check out of the Cecil Hotel on January 31, but she never does. Her parents grow concerned when Elisa misses her promised daily check-ins. They contact the LAPD, and a search begins for the young university student. Dogs search her room and the hotel rooftop, but there is no sign of Elisa. Two weeks pass with no trace of Elisa Lam. The LAPD releases the last known video footage of her, hoping it will provide new leads. The video shows Elisa pressing multiple elevator buttons, gesturing to someone off-camera, and repeatedly peering down the hallway before retreating into a corner of the elevator. Nineteen days after Elisa Lam’s disappearance, law enforcement still has not found her. Meanwhile, guests at the Cecil Hotel report low water pressure and an unusual, dark taste in the water, which has taken on a muddy, blackish color. A maintenance worker checks the rooftop water tanks and finds one of the four 1,000-gallon tanks open, with Elisa’s body floating face-up inside.  Joining Nancy Grace today:  Kelly Hyman – Trial & Civil Attorney (Miami, FL); TV Legal Analyst; Author: “Build Back Better;” X: @kellyhyman1, TikTok: @kelly.hyman, Instagram: @Kelly_Hyman1  Matthew Mangino – Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County); Author: “The Executioner’s Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States;” X: @MatthewTMangino  Caryn L. Stark – Psychologist, Renowned TV and Radio Trauma Expert and Consultant; Instagram: carynpsych/FB: Caryn Stark Private PracticeRobert Crispin – Private Investigator, Former Federal Task Force Officer for United States Department of Justice, DEA and Miami Field Division, Former Homicide and Crimes Against Children Investigator, “Crispin Special Investigations” CrispinInvestigations.com, Facebook: Crispin Special Investigations, Inc Mike McCormick – Owner and Lead Investigator of M.C.M. Investigations (Los Angeles); Former LAPD Detective for over 25 years (worked Gangs for 5 years); Facebook: MCM Investigations Dr. Michelle DuPre – Forensic Pathologist and former Medical Examiner, Author: “Homicide Investigation Field Guide” & “Investigating Child Abuse Field Guide”, Ret. Police Detective Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Hadley Meares - Journalist, Historian, Writer, Tour Guide. Urban Traveler, See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's taken seven years, but the families of Abby Williams and Libby German sat in a courtroom today and heard Richard Allen declared guilty by a 12-person jury.  Allen was convicted on all four charges, two counts of murder and two counts of murder while kidnapping the girls. The jury listened to nearly three weeks of testimony and deliberated a total of 18 hours.  The bodies of teen girls were found near the Monon High Bridge in February 2017, in Delphi. Allen, a Delphi resident and local pharmacy tech was arrested five years after the murders.   Searchers found the two girls dead in a wooded area near the Monon High Bridge. Libby was unclothed and bloodied. Both girls had their throats slit. Allen, who confessed at least 60 times,  showed no emotion or reaction as the verdict was read. He was then cuffed and taken from the courtroom.  Allen’s wife, Kathy Allen, said “this isn’t over at all”  to 13 News as she left the courtroom. Sentencing will be at 9am ET on December 20. Joining Nancy Grace today:  Sheryl McCollum  – Forensics Expert & Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder; Host of Podcast: “Zone 7;” X: @149Zone7s  Susan Hendricks – Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi’;” IG: @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks Dave Mack - CrimeOnline Investigative reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man hides his father's body for years--afraid to lose dad's home. Foot chase comes to a cartoonish end.  For more crime and justice news go to crimeonline.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's one of our top stories this week. Sean "Diddy" Combs marked his 55th birthday behind bars at the MDC, receiving a call from his children and enjoying a "breakfast cake" as his first meal of the day, followed by a choice of pizza, salad, or pasta for dinner. Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shayna Hubers calls 911 from Ryan Poston's condo in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and tells dispatch "I killed my boyfriend in self-defense". Hubers tells police Ryan Poston had been beating her all day long, tossing her around like a rag doll, and when he pulled out his gun, she grabbed it and shot him in the face. Police read Shayna Hubers her "Miranda" rights, and Hubers asks for a lawyer.  Even though Shayna Hubers has just been told she "has the right to remain silent" she lacks the ability, and tells investigators that she shot him twice in the face, then, as he was twitching, she said she thought he was going to die anyway or his face would be really deformed so she shot him 4 more times to make sure he was dead. Shayna Hubers tells police "I gave him the nose job he always wanted."  Joseph Scott Morgan explains how the crime scene and Ryan Poston's clothes tell a different story than the one Shayna Hubers is telling and Dave Mack digs into the background of an 18-month relationship that ended in the murder of a man who seemed to be everyone's favorite person.     Transcribe Highlights 00:03.40 Introduction - Rhinoplasty 04:55.81 Hammers, Chisels, and black eyes 09:27.14 Hubers gave boyfriend the "nose job he always wanted 14:58.88 Shayna Hubers and Jody Arias 20:15.42 What happened when Ryan Poston was murdered 25:04.98 True case of domestic abuse 30:20.01 Difference in bullet size 35:01.84 Stippling present on Ryan Poston 39:38.81 Hubers claims of abuse unfounded 44:21.70 Blood on shirt and pants indicates Poston seated 48:14.50 ConclusionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's one of our top stories this week.  The  defense in the Richard Allen murder trial surprised the judge and the prosecution resting its case, calling only about half the witnesses planned.  Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nineteen some odd months after the fatal San Francisco stabbing of tech exec Bob Lee, his accused killer's trial is underway. Tech entrepreneur and consultant Nima Momeni's sister, who is at the center of the case has testified.  During the prosecution's case, the lead police investigator lead jurors through the twists and turns of the two-day drug binge Lee was on with Khazar Momeni. Nima Momeni reportedly believed his sister was also attacked by Lee.   Bob Lee made a name for himself in the tech world, as a founder of Cash App. The 43-year-old exec recently move to Florida but was in San Francisco for business. Around 2:30 a.m. Lee calls police saying he had been stabbed. Surveillance footage captures Lee getting out of a car with another man. Quickly, the man drives away and Lee stumbles along Main Street in San Francisco's Rincon Hill neighborhood.  When police reach Lee, he has been stabbed three times, including two wounds in his upper left chest.   The man driving the car that sped away is identified as 38-year-old Nima Momeni, also a tech executive.  Texts from Momeni's married sister sent to Lee,  show a connection between the two. Nima Momeni reportedly confronted, Lee implying "improper behavior"  Momeni was arrested after a nine-day manhunt.   Joining Nancy Grace Today: Jarrett Ferentino- Homicide Prosecutor in Pennsylvania, Facebook & Instagram: Jarrett Ferentino Dr. John Delatorre (D La Torrey) - Licensed Psychologist and Mediator (specializing in forensic psychology), Psychological Consultant to Project Absentis: a nonprofit organization that searches for missing persons; Twitter, IG, and TikTok: @drjohndelatorre Irv Brandt - Senior Inspector, US Marshals Service International Investigations Branch, Chief Inspector, DOJ Office of International Affairs; Author: “SOLO SHOT: CURSE OF THE BLUE STONE," and FLYING SOLO: Top of the World"  AVAILABLE ON AMAZON; Top of the World" Twitter: @JackSoloAuthor  Dr. Maneesha Pandey- Chief Forensic Pathologist for Forensic Pathologists LLC in Ohio, Board-certified forensic pathologist Ben Levitan- Telecommunications Expert, Columnist Jen Smith- Chief Reporter for DailyMail.com; Twitter: @Jen_e_smith  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man accused of molesting and killing Madeline Soto shortly after her 13th birthday will go to trial next fall. Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of Madeline’s mother, Jennifer Soto, faces charges of first-degree murder and 60 other offenses, including sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child pornography. Hundreds of evidence photos offer a detailed view of the Kissimmee condo where Madeline lived with her mother and several roommates. The townhome, located in the gated Venetian Bay Villages community, belongs to Jennifer Soto’s father. Soto and Madeline occupied the first floor, while two roommates lived in upstairs bedrooms. At one point, Stephan Sterns rented the third upstairs bedroom, which was otherwise unoccupied. As the investigation continues, a newly released interview shows that law enforcement has provided Jennifer Soto with “derivative immunity,” a legal protection ensuring her statements cannot be used against her in future prosecution. Soto gave the interview under an investigative subpoena and provided new details about her on-and-off relationship with Stephan Sterns and the hours leading up to her realization that Madeline was missing Joining Nancy Grace today:  Ray Guidice -  Defense Attorney, Host: "Your Day in Court" Dr. Marlena Ryba  - Forensic Psychologist and Research Consultant at Dr. Long and Associates; LINKEDIN: marlenamryba; Alli Neal – Co-Founder, Executive Director, Revved Up Kids (fighting to protect kids from sexual abuse and exploitation); Twitter: @RevvedUpKids Tom Smith - Former NYPD Detective, Co-Host of the GOLD SHIELDS Podcast,;FB & Instagram: @thegoldshieldshow Dr. Todd Barr – Board-Certified Anatomic/Clinical/Forensic Pathologist (Ohio); Featured in, “Thin Places: Essays From In Between,” by Jordan Kisner Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter WFTV-9   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.