The First Degree Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek, Billy Jensen

This week, the girls and the ginger return with a public brainstorm session. Each of us have to pitch a meeting for a television sitcom where we’re the main character. Alexis Nexus, Very Jeri, and Jac Vanek stars in My Way or the Highway. Anybody have a contact at Netflix? On the stand this week: truck nuts, Panera Bread, condiments sitting out at a restaurant, and TSA precheck! Then! A worstie cons a cheater!

On November 4, 2021, a 17-year-old high school senior is shot in the head at a residence in Yadkinville, North Carolina. It’s a gut-wrenching loss not just for the young woman’s family and friends, but her entire small community who are in mourning for the high achieving student. The shooter is immediately identified in an incident that appears to be a tragic accident. But as more information emerges about their history, the true picture of their prior behavior starts to paint an ugly picture. With these new details, the victim’s family hopes for a swift and just outcome, proportionate to the crime, not anticipating what was to come. In episode 265, Jac and Alexis detail the horrifying murder of Norah Rayne Smitherman at the hands of her friend Jace Allen, and how, when the full picture is not taken into account, those left behind are only left to suffer more anguish.

This week, the girls and the ginger are back, and we’re revisiting our childhoods. Specifically all the things we thought were going to be a much bigger problem in life. Quicksand, banana peels, DARE! On the stand this week: hanging shirts facing the same direction, felt hangers, doing things in direct sunlight, and variations of classic snacks! And then a worstie firstie by proxy!

On July 11, 2002, a 45-year-old man is gunned down in the doorway of his home in Bridgeport, Ohio. As far as local law enforcement is concerned, it’s a tragic home invasion gone wrong and nothing more. But all is not as it seems. And for a small town, identifying the perpetrator and their motive is not as straightforward as it should be. As the weeks, months, and years pass, conflicting and conflated accounts, and outright lies put forward by witnesses cloud the truth. The killer remains on the loose, their identity obscured. However years later, the fight to unravel the truth and bring the victim’s assailant to account is not only renewed, but far from over. In episode 264, Jac and Alexis detail the baffling unsolved murder of John Cornelius McGhee, and the strength and courage of his daughter Madison who refuses to give up on finding justice for her father over 20 years later.

This week the girls and the ginger are back! One thing we will not be talking about is how we wake up and tackle each and every day! Spoiler alert! It doesn’t matter! You do you! We WILL be taking more listener submitted questions though! Also, on the stand: sponges, dosages, mixed snacks, and street tacos served on flour tortillas! Then! A worstie with a story we’ve dubbed the toilet paper caper!

Late at night on Saturday, July 12th of 2008, 31-year-old Jacob Daniel Ethridge travelsto a section of Adams Avenue in Ogden, Utah, for the purpose of hiring a sex worker. There, Jacob meets 25-year-old Rosanna “Rosy” Marie Cruz. Jacob hires Rosy, accompanies her to an abandoned apartment building, and shoots her through the neck. Approximately 30 minutes later, as Jacob goes toward his vehicle to return home, Jacob meets 43-year-old Teresa Rene Tingey. Just as he had with Rosy, Jacob hires Teresa, travels with her to an isolated location, and executes her. When Jacob returns to his home in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 13th, he wakes his father and explains what he’s done. Together, the two men go to the police station where Jacob confesses. In episode 263, Jac and Alexis explore how a dangerous combination of anger issues, alcoholism, and psychotropic drugs could have contributed to one man making the decision to randomly murder two innocent women.