Over the summer break of ‘93, Charles Higginbotham joined the ranks of teenage killers when he committed a calculated first-degree murder. Now behind bars, serving life without parole, 49-year-old Charles reflects on the day that sealed his fate. This is a story of two troubled youths and childhood friends who did everything together, even execute a murder. In this episode, we'll discuss the ethics of sentencing an 18-year-old to life without parole, and we'll bring to light some dark secrets at...
Sep 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 103
Twenty years ago, Gerald Johnson killed an innocent bystander during a high-speed chase through Kansas City. Since the day of his crime, Gerald has openly admitted to killing Ida Taylor. However, he insists that justice has not been fairly served. Gerald claims that prosecutors fabricated the fact that Gerald was carrying a weapon to secure a harsher sentence of felony murder. Twenty years later, Gerald is now on a mission to prove that prosecutors manipulated the evidence, suppressed testimony,...
Sep 06, 2024•25 min•Ep. 99
Twenty years ago, Gerald Johnson killed an innocent bystander during a high-speed chase through Kansas City. Since the day of his crime, Gerald has openly admitted to killing Ida Taylor. However, he insists that justice has not been fairly served. Gerald claims that prosecutors fabricated the fact that Gerald was carrying a weapon to secure a harsher sentence of felony murder. Twenty years later, Gerald is now on a mission to prove that prosecutors manipulated the evidence, suppressed testimony,...
Sep 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 98
Twenty years ago, Gerald Johnson killed an innocent bystander during a high-speed chase through Kansas City. Since the day of his crime, Gerald has openly admitted to killing Ida Taylor. However, he insists that justice has not been fairly served. Gerald claims that prosecutors fabricated the fact that Gerald was carrying a weapon to secure a harsher sentence of felony murder. Twenty years later, Gerald is now on a mission to prove that prosecutors manipulated the evidence, suppressed testimony,...
Sep 02, 2024•32 min•Ep. 97
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we cover a chilling murder case on the outskirts of St. Joseph. Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015, an elderly couple was shot dead in their home, killed by their teenage grandson, Joseph Johnson. The ensuing investigation dug up unsettling details about what had gone on behind the closed doors of the family home. This week, Joseph Johnson tells his never-heard-before story. For the first time publicly, Joseph explains why he killed his grandparents at...
Aug 30, 2024•25 min•Ep. 96
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we cover a chilling murder case on the outskirts of St. Joseph. Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015, an elderly couple was shot dead in their home, killed by their teenage grandson, Joseph Johnson. The ensuing investigation dug up unsettling details about what had gone on behind the closed doors of the family home. This week, Joseph Johnson tells his never-heard-before story. For the first time publicly, Joseph explains why he killed his grandparents at...
Aug 28, 2024•18 min•Ep. 95
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we cover a chilling murder case on the outskirts of St. Joseph. Over the Fourth of July weekend in 2015, an elderly couple was shot dead in their home, killed by their teenage grandson, Joseph Johnson. The ensuing investigation dug up unsettling details about what had gone on behind the closed doors of the family home. This week, Joseph Johnson tells his never-heard-before story. For the first time publicly, Joseph explains why he killed his grandparents at...
Aug 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 94
This week, we’re joined by Jacob Hearne, convicted of killing a close family member at 19 years old. At 21, a self-confessed video game nerd with thick glasses and pale skin, Jacob doesn’t fit the mold of a would-be killer. However, Jacob is responsible for the brutal deaths of two individuals, both of which took place in his teen years. Today, Jacob spares no detail in recounting his crimes. And as Jacob confesses to his 2022 murder for the first time publicly, we hear firsthand how an ordinary...
Aug 23, 2024•27 min•Ep. 93
This week, we’re joined by Jacob Hearne, convicted of killing a close family member at 19 years old. At 21, a self-confessed video game nerd with thick glasses and pale skin, Jacob doesn’t fit the mold of a would-be killer. However, Jacob is responsible for the brutal deaths of two individuals, both of which took place in his teen years. Today, Jacob spares no detail in recounting his crimes. And as Jacob confesses to his 2022 murder for the first time publicly, we hear firsthand how an ordinary...
Aug 21, 2024•27 min•Ep. 92
This week, we’re joined by Jacob Hearne, convicted of killing a close family member at 19 years old. At 21, a self-confessed video game nerd with thick glasses and pale skin, Jacob doesn’t fit the mold of a would-be killer. However, Jacob is responsible for the brutal deaths of two individuals, both of which took place in his teen years. Today, Jacob spares no detail in recounting his crimes. And as Jacob confesses to his 2022 murder for the first time publicly, we hear firsthand how an ordinary...
Aug 19, 2024•18 min•Ep. 91
Today we are interviewing Lucky Stancliff, from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Lucky's journey through the criminal justice system began with a first-degree murder conviction that you think would be the reason why we are speaking to him today. But he really did live up to his name and ended up on the outside after serving 19 years in jail. In this episode we'll talk about the reasons that led him to where he is now, behind bars. We'll explore how a tough upbringing marked by hard treatment, tragedy and...
Aug 09, 2024•13 min•Ep. 87
Today we are interviewing Lucky Stancliff, from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Lucky's journey through the criminal justice system began with a first-degree murder conviction that you think would be the reason why we are speaking to him today. But he really did live up to his name and ended up on the outside after serving 19 years in jail. In this episode we'll talk about the reasons that led him to where he is now, behind bars. We'll explore how a tough upbringing marked by hard treatment, tragedy and...
Aug 07, 2024•14 min•Ep. 86
Today we are interviewing Lucky Stancliff, from Mount Vernon, Missouri. Lucky's journey through the criminal justice system began with a first-degree murder conviction that you think would be the reason why we are speaking to him today. But he really did live up to his name and ended up on the outside after serving 19 years in jail. In this episode we'll talk about the reasons that led him to where he is now, behind bars. We'll explore how a tough upbringing marked by hard treatment, tragedy and...
Aug 05, 2024•13 min•Ep. 85
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we sit down with Sean Reynolds, a man who killed a stranger in a 2008 break-in gone wrong. Little did he know that man was well-loved Kansas City resident Jeff Rogers. Sean’s case is unique from others we’ve had on this podcast in that it took investigators 10 years to track him down, while Sean believed he’d gotten away with murder. But it was Jeff Roger’s family who tracked him down. More information about the case: Kansas Most Wanted - Governor's Reward ...
Aug 02, 2024•13 min•Ep. 84
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we sit down with Sean Reynolds, a man who killed a stranger in a 2008 break-in gone wrong. Little did he know that man was well-loved Kansas City resident Jeff Rogers. Sean’s case is unique from others we’ve had on this podcast in that it took investigators 10 years to track him down, while Sean believed he’d gotten away with murder. But it was Jeff Roger’s family who tracked him down. More information about the case: Kansas Most Wanted - Governor's Reward ...
Jul 31, 2024•15 min•Ep. 83
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we sit down with Sean Reynolds, a man who killed a stranger in a 2008 break-in gone wrong. Little did he know that man was well-loved Kansas City resident Jeff Rogers. Sean’s case is unique from others we’ve had on this podcast in that it took investigators 10 years to track him down, while Sean believed he’d gotten away with murder. But it was Jeff Roger’s family who tracked him down. More information about the case: Kansas Most Wanted - Governor's Reward ...
Jul 29, 2024•12 min•Ep. 82
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Ray Johnson, a man convicted of a 2016 murder outside a gritty Kansas City bar. Despite his guilty verdict, Ray has avidly maintained his innocence and fought for his conviction to be overturned. This week, we hear Ray’s side of the story. We’ll hear about the notorious Bob’s-N-Motion Bar, interrogate the evidence that convicted Ray, and question whether the right man is paying for this crime. Did Ray kill a stranger in an open street in cold blo...
Jul 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 81
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Ray Johnson, a man convicted of a 2016 murder outside a gritty Kansas City bar. Despite his guilty verdict, Ray has avidly maintained his innocence and fought for his conviction to be overturned. This week, we hear Ray’s side of the story. We’ll hear about the notorious Bob’s-N-Motion Bar, interrogate the evidence that convicted Ray, and question whether the right man is paying for this crime. Did Ray kill a stranger in an open street in cold blo...
Jul 24, 2024•15 min•Ep. 80
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Ray Johnson, a man convicted of a 2016 murder outside a gritty Kansas City bar. Despite his guilty verdict, Ray has avidly maintained his innocence and fought for his conviction to be overturned. This week, we hear Ray’s side of the story. We’ll hear about the notorious Bob’s-N-Motion Bar, interrogate the evidence that convicted Ray, and question whether the right man is paying for this crime. Did Ray kill a stranger in an open street in cold blo...
Jul 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 79
This week on Voices of a Killer, we bring you the harrowing crime of Trystan Westrip. In 2016, pensioner Mary Shisler was enjoying her retirement in the Strafford outskirts – until 16-year-old Trystan darkened her door. What followed was a senseless murder that scandalized a tight-knit community and convicted Trystan to jail for life. More information about this case: Article about Trystan’s Sentencing | Republic man gets life sentence after committing murder at 16 | Springfield News-Leader Arti...
Jul 19, 2024•24 min•Ep. 78
This week on Voices of a Killer, we bring you the harrowing crime of Trystan Westrip. In 2016, pensioner Mary Shisler was enjoying her retirement in the Strafford outskirts – until 16-year-old Trystan darkened her door. What followed was a senseless murder that scandalized a tight-knit community and convicted Trystan to jail for life. More information about this case: Article about Trystan’s Sentencing | Republic man gets life sentence after committing murder at 16 | Springfield News-Leader Arti...
Jul 17, 2024•26 min•Ep. 77
This week on Voices of a Killer, we bring you the harrowing crime of Trystan Westrip. In 2016, pensioner Mary Shisler was enjoying her retirement in the Strafford outskirts – until 16-year-old Trystan darkened her door. What followed was a senseless murder that scandalized a tight-knit community and convicted Trystan to jail for life. More information about this case: Article about Trystan’s Sentencing | Republic man gets life sentence after committing murder at 16 | Springfield News-Leader Arti...
Jul 15, 2024•30 min•Ep. 76
On this episode of Voices of a Killer, we revisit the case of Pamela Fregia from Episode 7. Today we are joined by Pamela's daughter, Hannah. Now, I get a lot of messages through social media about our episodes and this one really stood out to me. Hannah has a tragic and traumatic connection to this case as she actually witnessed the crime that her mother committed. More information about this case: News about charges | Woman charged in killing of missing Lecompte woman, baby | Daily Advertiser ...
Jul 12, 2024•21 min•Ep. 75
On this episode of Voices of a Killer, we revisit the case of Pamela Fregia from Episode 7. Today we are joined by Pamela's daughter, Hannah. Now, I get a lot of messages through social media about our episodes and this one really stood out to me. Hannah has a tragic and traumatic connection to this case as she actually witnessed the crime that her mother committed. More information about this case: News about charges | Woman charged in killing of missing Lecompte woman, baby | Daily Advertiser ...
Jul 10, 2024•21 min•Ep. 74
On this episode of Voices of a Killer, we revisit the case of Pamela Fregia from Episode 7. Today we are joined by Pamela's daughter, Hannah. Now, I get a lot of messages through social media about our episodes and this one really stood out to me. Hannah has a tragic and traumatic connection to this case as she actually witnessed the crime that her mother committed. More information about this case: News about charges | Woman charged in killing of missing Lecompte woman, baby | Daily Advertiser ...
Jul 08, 2024•20 min•Ep. 73
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Floridian and convicted killer, Aaron Stimus. In July 2002, Aaron woke up in a hospital bed to discover that he had just survived a gunshot wound to the head and that he was being charged with first-degree murder. Today we hear Aaron’s account of that fateful summer’s evening. We’ll hear about the hostile divorce proceedings, the life-ruining painkillers, and the police oversight that culminated in one chaotic and emotionally fraught July evening...
Jul 05, 2024•18 min•Ep. 72
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Floridian and convicted killer, Aaron Stimus. In July 2002, Aaron woke up in a hospital bed to discover that he had just survived a gunshot wound to the head and that he was being charged with first-degree murder. Today we hear Aaron’s account of that fateful summer’s evening. We’ll hear about the hostile divorce proceedings, the life-ruining painkillers, and the police oversight that culminated in one chaotic and emotionally fraught July evening...
Jul 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 71
In this episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Floridian and convicted killer, Aaron Stimus. In July 2002, Aaron woke up in a hospital bed to discover that he had just survived a gunshot wound to the head and that he was being charged with first-degree murder. Today we hear Aaron’s account of that fateful summer’s evening. We’ll hear about the hostile divorce proceedings, the life-ruining painkillers, and the police oversight that culminated in one chaotic and emotionally fraught July evening...
Jul 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 70
In this week’s episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Javier Evans, a man convicted of killing his childhood friend in a fight gone wrong. For most of his life, Javier has navigated a world of drug culture and gang politics that eventually led him to a fatal confrontation with his longtim friend. Today, revisit the night of Antonio Long’s untimely death and hear the full story of that fateful night that news articles didn’t publish. Where did the bad blood between them originate? Who pulled t...
Jun 28, 2024•19 min•Ep. 69
In this week’s episode of Voices of a Killer, we talk to Javier Evans, a man convicted of killing his childhood friend in a fight gone wrong. For most of his life, Javier has navigated a world of drug culture and gang politics that eventually led him to a fatal confrontation with his longtim friend. Today, revisit the night of Antonio Long’s untimely death and hear the full story of that fateful night that news articles didn’t publish. Where did the bad blood between them originate? Who pulled t...
Jun 26, 2024•19 min•Ep. 68
