Investigation: Homicide

Episode #60 ~ Her Honor: Justice Court Judge talks hometown court

Every courtroom tells a story, but rarely do we hear it straight from the bench.   This week, Nicole Kral and Therese Apel sit down with Justice Court Judge Marsha Weems Stacey for a candid conversation about what it really looks like to dispense justice at the community level. Judge Stacey pulls back the curtain on cases that have moved through her courtroom: the ones that stay with you, the ones that challenge you, and the ones that reveal something true about the people we live alongside every day. It’s a conversation about law, yes, but more than that, it’s about the relationship between a judge and the community she serves, and how each one quietly shapes the other in ways most of us never see.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #59 ~ The Last Shift: The 1996 Jackson Firehouse Massacre

On April 24, 1996, an ordinary shift at Jackson Fire Department headquarters turned into one of the deadliest days in the department's history. Firefighter Kenneth Tornes walked the halls of the station he knew well, moving from office to office with deadly intent — targeting the men who wore the same uniform he did, the supervisors who had dedicated their lives to protecting others. When it was over, four members of the command staff were dead: Captain Merideth Moree, District Chief Dwight Craft, Captain Stan Adams, and District Chief Rick Robbins.   For retired Jackson Police Department Crime Scene Investigator Charlie Smith, this wasn't just another case. These were men he knew — colleagues he had worked alongside for years, responding to the same scenes, in the same city, all of them bound by the same mission to serve and protect. Processing a crime scene is already one of the most demanding things a first responder can be asked to do. Doing it where your friends fell is something else entirely. On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, hosts Therese Apel and Amanda Johansson sit down with Charlie Smith to revisit a case that shook Jackson's first responder community to its core. Nearly three decades later, the weight of that day hasn't faded — and neither has Charlie's commitment to making sure the men who died that morning are not forgotten.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #58 – The Goon Squad: At the defense table

When a defense attorney steps into a case that has captured national attention, the stakes couldn’t be higher. On this episode of Investigation: Homicide, Jackson-based attorney Aafram Sellers joins Therese Apel and Nicole Kral for an in-depth conversation about representing Brett McAlpin, the alleged ringleader in Mississippi’s infamous “Goon Squad” case. Sellers offers a rare look at the legal strategy, public scrutiny, and ethical complexities that come with defending a client at the center of one of the most talked-about law enforcement scandals in recent memory. Throughout the episode, Sellers discusses what it’s like to navigate a case that has drawn widespread outrage, intense media coverage, and federal attention. He breaks down the realities of high-profile criminal defense work, the importance of due process, and how attorneys balance public perception with their obligation to advocate for their clients. The conversation also explores the broader implications of the case for Mississippi’s justice system and the community at large. The “Goon Squad” case refers to a group of former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies accused of carrying out a pattern of violent, unlawful acts, including the torture and abuse of suspects. The case gained national prominence after federal charges were filed, detailing a series of incidents that exposed deep concerns about misconduct, accountability, and civil rights violations within a local law enforcement unit. The allegations and subsequent prosecutions have sparked ongoing conversations about policing practices and oversight across the country. Don’t miss this compelling and candid discussion that pulls back the curtain on a case that continues to make headlines nationwide.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #57 — Until they all come home: Updating the Alex Easterling case

Tonight on Investigation: Homicide, we revisit the case of Alex Easterling, a missing man from Pickens whose disappearance continues to raise questions for his family and community.   Joining us is his mother, Ashley Martin, who shares the latest developments in her son’s case and the ongoing search for answers. She also discusses new efforts she’s leading to support other families facing the heartbreak of missing loved ones, turning her personal tragedy into a mission to help others.   As the investigation continues, Martin speaks candidly about the challenges, the unanswered questions, and why she believes the truth is still out there.   Anyone with information about Robert “Alex” Easterling’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 827-4637.   This episode is sponsored by Southern Connection Police Supplies, protecting and serving those who protect and servce. We are produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #56 - The last ride: Justice for Sonja

A woman's body is found in the road in Rankin County. No one knows how she got there. Was it a hit-and-run? An accident? Investigators are left with more questions than answers — until the phone rings. Tonight, hosts Therese Apel and Sara Perkins sit down with Rankin County Coroner David Ruth, who worked the case as a Brandon Police officer, to talk about the night Sonja Stapleton was found and the investigation that followed. What started as a mystery on a dark Mississippi road would eventually lead somewhere no one expected.   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.