10. (Alleged) Alternate Suspects and Rabbit Holes - Part 1

10. (Alleged) Alternate Suspects and Rabbit Holes - Part 1

Who are Bobby Floyd, Eddie Blair, Lester Johnson, and Bill Cogdill? Beth looks into the alternate suspects that, for whatever reason, were mostly ignored during Gary Sutton's homicide trials in Blount and Sevier Counties. Also, get updates on Carolyn Weaver's recent health scares, a group of Republican senators asking Governor Bill Lee to halt executions, and a letter from Gary's attorney to Bill Lee. Episode Links: ✉️ Read Letter to Governor Bill Lee on Behalf of Gary Sutton [https://timeofdeathpod.com/gary-suttons-attorneys-ask-tennessee-governor-bill-lee-for-execution-reprieve/] 📰 WKRN: Attorneys Seek Reprieve on Behalf of Darrell Hines [https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/attorneys-ask-gov-bill-lee-to-delay-states-next-scheduled-execution/] ✉️ Read Darrell Hines's Letter to Governor Lee [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iSfH9x2qq5T1C8Z02c0onc1r5GEunFqV/view] 📰 Christa Pike's Attorneys File Motion Challenging Constitutionality of Lethal Injection [https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/06/12/christa-pikes-attorneys-file-motion-challenging-constitutionality-lethal-injection/] 📰 GOP Senators Seek Review of Botched Execution [https://tennesseelookout.com/2026/06/29/tennessee-gop-senators-seek-review-of-botched-execution/] 🖋️ Sign the Petition for Tennessee's Governor Bill Lee to review Gary Sutton's case [https://www.justiceforgarywaynesutton.com/petition] ⏳ Timeline of Events at the Time of Death Podcast Website [https://timeofdeathpod.com/a-timeline-of-events/] 🌍 Google Map of Places of Note [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-pmeSbTbO61EOjS5KDe2aF539oLO37E&usp=sharing] ☕Buy Beth a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/gg1prc3lsl] Stay connected with Beth's reporting and follow along as the stories unfold. Follow us on your favorite platform. Beth Braden: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bethbraden.journalist] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethbraden.journalist?igsh=MXVwNnE1dm52OHA4NA==] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@bethbraden.journalist?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bethjbraden?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgma1weuU] Time of Death Podcast: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/timeofdeathpodcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timeofdeath.podcast?igsh=dG1lZjgyMDY2cnpu] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@timeofdeath.podcast?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@timeofdeathpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgjC7a6j0] Find us at www.timeofdeathpod.com [http://www.timeofdeathpod.com]

9. The Race Was On

* 🧑‍⚖️ Christa Pike asks Supreme Court to Halt Execution over abuse, illness [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/courts/2026/06/12/christa-pike-tn-supreme-court-special-master/90514928007/] * 📣 Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calls to abolish death penalty in Ohio, victim's family reacts [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHjfJezNkHk] * ☕Buy Beth a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/gg1prc3lsl] * ⏳ Timeline of Events at the Time of Death Podcast Website [https://timeofdeathpod.com/a-timeline-of-events/] * 🌍 Google Map of Places of Note - Including the changes to Alcoa Highway [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-pmeSbTbO61EOjS5KDe2aF539oLO37E&usp=sharing] Stay connected with Beth's reporting and follow along as the stories unfold. Follow us on your favorite platform. Beth Braden: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bethbraden.journalist] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethbraden.journalist?igsh=MXVwNnE1dm52OHA4NA==] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@bethbraden.journalist?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bethjbraden?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgma1weuU] Time of Death Podcast: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/timeofdeathpodcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timeofdeath.podcast?igsh=dG1lZjgyMDY2cnpu] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@timeofdeath.podcast?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@timeofdeathpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgjC7a6j0] Find us at www.timeofdeathpod.com [http://www.timeofdeathpod.com]

8. No Turning Back

Connie Branam's car is found along Clear Fork above Wears Valley, and the cops conduct a search of James Dellinger's home. Then, Gary and James are arrested and charged with Connie's death. Episode Links 🎧 Listen to Beth on Truth and Justice with Bob Ruff [https://www.truthandjusticepod.com/copy-of-about-2] * 🟢 Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DTpiEoZ36BtdI9oFVmZsR?si=SvFxK452QtC7Ln7Zx77W2A] * 🍎 Apple Link [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-justice-with-bob-ruff/id990753230?i=1000770415482] 🏢 Beth tries to take a VCR to the Sevier County Courthouse [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LBNUEEQ3B/] ☕Buy Beth a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/gg1prc3lsl] 💉 Tennessee's Lethal Injection Protocol Manual [https://tcog.info/wp-content/uploads/Protocol-01082025_Redacted.pdf] ⏳ Timeline of Events at the Time of Death Podcast Website [https://timeofdeathpod.com/a-timeline-of-events/] Stay connected with Beth's reporting and follow along as the stories unfold. Follow us on your favorite platform. Beth Braden: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bethbraden.journalist] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethbraden.journalist?igsh=MXVwNnE1dm52OHA4NA==] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@bethbraden.journalist?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bethjbraden?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgma1weuU] Time of Death Podcast: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/timeofdeathpodcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timeofdeath.podcast?igsh=dG1lZjgyMDY2cnpu] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@timeofdeath.podcast?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@timeofdeathpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgjC7a6j0] Find us at www.timeofdeathpod.com [http://www.timeofdeathpod.com]

7. The Space Between

Blount County Chief Detective Dale Gourley speaks to the media about Tommy Griffin's death and Connie Branam's disappearance as searchers comb Sevier County for the missing woman. Gary Sutton, reeling from the death of his best friend, talks to police twice, not realizing that the walls are closing in around him. Also in this episode - updates from last week's failed execution of Tony Carruthers and the silence from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in Gary's intellectual disability hearing. ☕Buy Beth a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/gg1prc3lsl] ⏳ Timeline of Events at the Time of Death Podcast Website [https://timeofdeathpod.com/a-timeline-of-events/] 🌍 Google Map of Places of Note - Including the changes to Alcoa Highway [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1-pmeSbTbO61EOjS5KDe2aF539oLO37E&usp=sharing] Relevant Articles * WBIR: Gary Sutton supporters hold press conference [https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=4299703583674939] * WVLT: Death row inmate supporters rally at Blount County Courthouse after failed execution of Tony Carruthers [https://www.wvlt.tv/2026/05/27/death-row-inmate-supporters-rally-blount-county-courthouse-after-failed-execution-tony-carruthers/?outputType=amp] * WATE: Supporters of Gary Sutton speak after Tony Carruthers's botched execution [https://www.wate.com/news/blount-county-news/supporters-of-gary-sutton-speak-after-tony-carrutherss-botched-execution/] * Action News 5: ACLU calls on Bill Lee to halt executions pending resolution of lawsuit [https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/05/26/live-attorneys-call-gov-lee-pause-all-executions/] Stay connected with Beth's reporting and follow along as the stories unfold. Follow us on your favorite platform. Beth Braden: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bethbraden.journalist] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethbraden.journalist?igsh=MXVwNnE1dm52OHA4NA==] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@bethbraden.journalist?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bethjbraden?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgma1weuU] Time of Death Podcast: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/timeofdeathpodcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timeofdeath.podcast?igsh=dG1lZjgyMDY2cnpu] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@timeofdeath.podcast?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@timeofdeathpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgjC7a6j0] Find us at www.timeofdeathpod.com [http://www.timeofdeathpod.com]

6. The Discovery

The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals issued a stay in Gary Sutton's intellectual disability hearing, and Governor Bill Lee has granted Tony Caruthers a temporary reprieve from execution following a failed execution attempt on 5/21/26. Then, we go back in time to some very interesting details about what Tommy Griffin didn't have with him when he was found in Walland on February 24, 1992. * ACLU Files Lawsuit [https://www.aclu.org/cases/tony-von-carruthers-v-state-of-tennessee] * Bill Lee Tuesday Statement [https://wreg.com/news/local/governor-lee-says-he-will-not-stop-carruthers-execution/] * Riverbend Maximum Security Institution [https://www.tn.gov/correction/state-prisons/state-prison-list/riverbend-maximum-security-institution.html] * Bill Lee / Tennessee Department of Corrections Thursday Statement [https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/5/21/gov--lee-grants-temporary-reprieve-for-tony-von-carruthers.html] * Witnesses Speak after Failed Execution [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h3811P0k1U] * Tennessean report on the failed execution [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2026/05/21/tony-carruthers-execution-stay/90101223007/] * Commercial Appeal report on the failed execution [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/05/21/tony-carruthers-execution-tennessee-on-hold/90196934007/] Buy Beth a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/gg1prc3lsl] Stay connected with Beth's reporting and follow along as the stories unfold. Follow us on your favorite platform. Beth Braden: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bethbraden.journalist] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethbraden.journalist?igsh=MXVwNnE1dm52OHA4NA==] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@bethbraden.journalist?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@bethjbraden?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgma1weuU] Time of Death Podcast: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/timeofdeathpodcast] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/timeofdeath.podcast?igsh=dG1lZjgyMDY2cnpu] | Threads [https://www.threads.com/@timeofdeath.podcast?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] | TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@timeofdeathpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vgjC7a6j0] Find us at www.timeofdeathpod.com [http://www.timeofdeathpod.com]