Issue 237, October 2, 2024

Looking Back: New Evidence Emerges in Menendez Brothers Case, Potential Conviction Vacation

October 02, 2024

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

Can you use deadly force in self-defense if you provoke a confrontation?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

PODCAST: True Crime Garage | Obsessed with Serial Killers

Is there an obsession with serial killers in America and beyond? While fascination exists, serial murderers are rare. This week, Dr. Scott Bonn, a criminologist, joins us to explore their complexities.

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What’s Happening Now

LOOKING BACK: New Evidence Emerges in Menendez Brothers Case, Potential Conviction Vacation

The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of killing their parents and sentenced to life in prison.

They claimed they acted in self-defense due to years of abuse from their parents.

New evidence in their case has emerged, including a letter and a witness alleging further abuse by the father.

A judge is currently reviewing the evidence, with the possibility of vacating their convictions.

If successful, the DA's office will decide whether to retry the case.

The brothers hope for justice and relief from the doubts surrounding their story.

⚠️ Safety Tip of the Day: Practice Situational Awareness.

Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar areas. Pay attention to people and activities around you, which can help you spot potential threats early. Being aware allows you to react quickly if a situation turns dangerous, enhancing your safety and helping you avoid confrontations.

Cold Case Highlights

Cold Case Murder Of Six-Year-Old Boy Solved Nearly 40 Years Later

The cold case murder of six-year-old Jeremy Stoner has been solved after nearly 40 years thanks to DNA advancements.

Fred Cain III was arrested and will face murder charges for the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of the young boy.

District Attorney Krishna Abrams expressed gratitude for dedicated cold case investigators and their commitment to solving such cases.

The Lady of the Dunes Case: Fifty-Year Mystery Solved with Identification of Victim and Murderer

The long-standing mystery of the "Lady of the Dunes" case has finally been solved after nearly 50 years, with authorities identifying 37-year-old Ruth Marie Terry as the victim.

Police have determined that Terry was killed by her husband, Guy Rockwell Muldavin, who married her just months before her death in 1974.

Muldavin, who also had a history of disappeared ex-wives and stepdaughters, died in 2002.

The case remained unsolved for years until genetic genealogy led to Terry's identification in October 2022.

With this breakthrough, one of Massachusetts' oldest cold cases has been closed.

PODCAST: 48 Hours | Post Mortem | The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard

Join 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant and producer Chuck Stevenson for an in-depth discussion on Kendy Howard's murder. They explore her husband Dan’s cover-up, his troubling history as a state trooper, and reveal an unaired 9-1-1 call used in court.

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🔍^{Trivia Answer}
No. If you provoke a confrontation, you may lose the right to claim self-defense.

In many jurisdictions, if a person instigates or provokes a conflict, they may be considered to have forfeited their right to claim self-defense, especially if they escalate the situation. This principle discourages individuals from provoking violence and then using self-defense as a justification.