The Tuesday TWITCH
This Week in True Crime Happenings 4.9.24
This week has been a little slow in the true crime world… and yet we’ve still got plenty to cover. So, let’s see what happened:
Pontiac, Michigan: Jennifer and James Crumbley, the first parents in America to be held criminally responsible for being the parents of a school shooter, were sentenced today after being convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter. This past week Jennifer’s defense attorney proposed that Crumbley serve her sentence out by living in the attorney’s house. Instead the judge went with 10-15 years in prison, which is, as we understand it, on the outer edges of the guidelines of the state of Michigan. The judge did count their 2+ years already spent in jail awaiting trial as time served. This is an historic case, with precedent-setting possibilities.
Texas County, Oklahoma: After more than a week since the two Kansas moms, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jillian Kelley, 39, went missing on their way to pick up Butler’s children in Oklahoma, there is still no sign of the women and authorities suspect foul play, based on evidence found in the abandoned vehicle they were traveling in. There is not a lot of information on this case, but a lot of questions surrounding it. We await more information and, hopefully, a resolution soon.
Latah County, Idaho: Bryan Kohberger, the defendant in the case of the Idaho student murders, was back in court this week, this time because his defense team conducted a phone survey to citizens of the county in which the trial could take place. The survey asked specific questions that could potentially taint future jury pools by revealing a glimpse into evidence. The judge saw this as a breach on the gag order of the case and halted the poll, though Kohberger’s attorney stood firm on her choice to conduct the poll.
Boise, Idaho: And speaking of court (and Idaho), Chad Daybell, the doomsday prophet who allegedly murdered his first wife to marry the now convicted murderer, Lori Vallow Daybell, wrapped up his first full week in court with a seated jury of 18 people. Ten men and eight women between the age range of 30’s to 60’s (all Caucasian) will hear from witnesses and review evidence as they decide the verdict on Chad’s role in the death of his first wife Tammy and his second wife’s two children, Tylee and JJ. Now the big question is, will he testify? We will continue to give updates each week till this trial is over and this seated jury delivers their verdict. Opening statements begin tomorrow.
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Celebrity Alec Baldwin submitted a motion to dismiss his charges ahead of his trial in the shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, after the conviction of the armorer, Hannah Gutierrez, in her recent trial, who is awaiting sentencing on April 15. She faces up to 18 months in prison. There are those who believe that the fault lies with the armorer, who was responsible for caring for and loading the guns. But there are those who believe that the gun was in Baldwin’s hand when it went off, and cite a lot of inconsistencies in the star’s previous statements. The judge threw out the motion, so it looks Baldwin’s trial for the involuntary manslaughter charge will proceed on July 10.
Hudson, Wisconsin: Next we have two cases that involve teens who engaged in conflicts before things got tragically out of hand. First, the trial of Nicolae Miu, who stabbed four teens who confronted, jeered at, and blocked his exit at a river when he approached them looking for a lost phone. They didn’t expect him to pull out a knife and start stabbing, but he did, leaving one of the teens dead and three seriously injured. This is week two of his trial and we wonder what the jury will decide. We will let you know.
Gilbert, Arizona: The second case is that of Preston Lord, a 16-year-old boy who was beaten to death back in October of 2023 by a group of male teens/young adults known as the “Gilbert Goonies.” The group (Arizona hasn’t decided officially if they are a “gang” or not) has been engaging in menacing, threatening, and abusive behavior— which they proudly documented on social media— for at least 2 years with no real consequences. Preston is the first kid they’ve killed, but not the first kid they’ve harmed. This case has a lot of twists and turns and, in the wake of the release of a 1,162 page police report released last week, a LOT of details have been emerging this week. Arrests are being made, accusations and rumors are rampant, and justice is being demanded in this affluent area outside of Phoenix. This case is giving us some “Murdaugh” vibes as it once again touches on entitlement, wealth, and permissive parenting with kids who— in our opinion— need to be reined in. (And that’s putting it mildly.) We will definitely be staying up on the latest details in this unfolding and important case. #justiceforpreston
Frostproof, Florida: This weekend, a teacher and mother of three, Elvia Espinoza, was stabbed to death by her 22-year-old son, Emmanuel Espinosa, who she thought was just coming by for a visit. A doorbell cam shows him holding a knife behind his back as he walked up to the door. When his mother opened the door he immediately began stabbing her. She was stabbed some 70 times. Her son, who was a pre-med student, said that he knew where to stab her for maximum outcome. When questioned by police, he said he got along with his mother “an 8 out of 10” but that he had been thinking about killing her for a long time because she “got on his nerves.” He has no criminal record and no history of mental illness. This is just a tragic, tragic situation. Our hearts go out to her other children, her family and friends, and the students in her classroom who will surely miss her presence.
Tampa, Florida: Alyssa Zinger, the grown woman who presented herself as a 14-year-old girl in order to allegedly lure middle school boys into sexual encounters, was in court this week facing new charges against her, as well as charges against her parents, who allegedly tried to help her by giving authorities the wrong phone. This is giving us Courtney Clenney vibes— the Only Fans model accused of murdering her boyfriend— whose parents were arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence about a month ago.
Nashville, Tennessee: Finally— because we’ve got some Nashville roots in these parts— we couldn't leave out the arrest just yesterday morning of country star Morgan Wallen, who chucked a chair off the rooftop of Chief’s Bar in downtown Nashville, landing a mere few feet away from several policemen. We don’t think Wallen intended to target the officers. We just think he had unfortunate aim, and probably too much to drink. Either way he’s facing felony charges but is out of jail after posting a $15,240 bond. His next appearance is scheduled for May 3rd.
What are the stories you’re following this week? What have we missed? What matters most to you? We value your input and participation. As always, we want to stress that these victims must live with the aftermath of these crimes for the rest of their lives— the loss, the fear, the pain. It is our sincere hope that everyone who reads these updates will keep these cases— these people— on their hearts and in their prayers. We share this weekly update not as entertainment, but as information. Because information can lead to breakthrough. May justice prevail.
I appreciated that the judge in the Crumbley parents case specifically told them the sentence was NOT for bad parenting but for failing to intervene in the numerous opportunities they had to prevent Ethan from doing the school shooting. I think that was a very good point and something that will hold up if they appeal.
Interesting stories as always, Marybeth. I’ve been following what little information is available about the two missing Kansas moms. From what the police are saying, it doesn’t sound like this story will have a happy ending. The other story I’m following is about the missing 66 year old man from Charleston SC. Brad Soloman, his wife, and daughter were on a cruise to Mexico when he wandered away last week (April 3) from his family while at the port in Cozumel. He had recently been diagnosed with dementia. He has been sighted a few times but ran away when approached. My heart goes out to his family. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for the family dealing with a missing person in a foreign country. I hope someone will find him soon and reunite him with his family.