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PODCAST

The First Degree

Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek

Do you ever wonder what it’s like to be friends with a murderer? Or escape a kidnapping? Or have a father who was a serial killer? Join Jac Vanek and Alexis Linkletter on a chilling ride into the darkest corners of your worst nightmares. Murders, cults, kidnappings, and conspiracies—all told through the eyes of a guest who is one degree of separation from the story itself. From infamous serial killers to the unbelievable unknown murder in your own backyard, The First Degree delivers a new

true crime

All Episodes

00:42:22

BONUS: KILLING TIME: WEDDING BELLS PART 1

The First Degree ·

2023/10/05

This week the girls and the ginger are back from France and ready to jump back into Killing Time! We’re breaking down our French festivities in part one of our wedding extravaganza recap! On the stand this week: ice and water, pillow allotments, and Etsy! Then Lex talks about her travel troubles and we get into the perils of partying in Paris! No worstie this week, we’ve got too much to talk about!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:37:57

Episode 267: Robert Lovvorn Herren, Jr.

The First Degree ·

2023/10/04

On April 17th of 1989, 31-year-old Cathy Marie Symanowski shoots and kills 38-year-old Robert “Lovvorn” Herren, Jr., with a semi-automatic rifle in Woodland, Alabama. Cathy met Lovvorn when he was hired by Cathy’s husband a few years earlier. At that time, Cathy and Lovvorn engaged in a short-lived romantic affair. Afterward, Lovvorn attempted to end his relationship with Cathy. In response, Cathy relentlessly stalked Lovvorn. In the spring of 1990, Cathy is convicted for murdering Lovvorn and

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00:48:10

BONUS: KILLING TIME: JACS FACTS

The First Degree ·

2023/09/28

The girls and the ginger have returned once again! If you follow our Killing Time episodes, you know that we like to call ourselves the “half facts podcast”. Well not today! Jac did her research, and she’s here to add more wrinkles to all of our brains! On the stand this week: snoozing, insufficient condiment amounts, big weather, and cake! Then! A young worstie poaches a partner!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The

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00:40:39

Episode 266: Michael Thomas Garry

The First Degree ·

2023/09/27

On September 14, 2007, a 52-year-old security guard is savagely beaten at his workplace in Cypress, California in the early hours of the morning and left for dead, later discovered by his co-workers. Everyone who knows the man, who has autism and passes away hours later, is shocked that something so violent could befall someone so gentle and unassuming. It’s clear the victim was fatally attacked during a burglary, but who could wish such grievous harm on someone just doing their job? At the same

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00:46:34

BONUS: KILLING TIME: MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY

The First Degree ·

2023/09/21

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!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:38:43

Episode 265: Norah Rayne Smitherman

The First Degree ·

2023/09/20

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

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00:47:34

BONUS: KILLING TIME: QUICKSAND

The First Degree ·

2023/09/14

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!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The

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00:51:12

Episode 264: John Cornelius Mcghee

The First Degree ·

2023/09/13

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

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00:48:38

BONUS: KILLING TIME: NOT TIM FERRISS

The First Degree ·

2023/09/07

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!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:53:40

Episode 263: Teresa and Rosanna

The First Degree ·

2023/09/06

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,

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00:41:50

BONUS: KILLING TIME: FROG PRETTY

The First Degree ·

2023/08/31

This week the girls and the ginger return with a true crime tangent! For some reason Jac wants to talk about beauty in relation to animals. I know. You’ll have to watch to find out. On the stand this week: eating in the bathroom, hogging weights at the gym, MOANING at the gym? And asking someone’s schedule without informing them why. Then! A worstie with some ingenious insurance insight.🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️

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00:44:49

Episode 262: Tyler Spann

The First Degree ·

2023/08/30

On April 16, 2010, a 20-year-old man and his friend are on their way home when they pull a prank on a neighbor in Venice, Florida. Things quickly turn ugly - and deadly - when the unarmed young man is shot by his neighbor during what police describe as an altercation where the older man feared for his life. The victim’s family and friends are understandably devastated. But as news of the shooting ripples throughout the community, the public is outraged when they learn not only who the shooter is,

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00:43:46

BONUS: KILLING TIME: UNSOLICITED ADVICE

The First Degree ·

2023/08/24

It’s time yet again to ask a girl, ask a ginger! This week we’re taking phone call submissions and doing our dangdest to dole out advice most of you never asked for. On the stand this week: slurpees, close-sitting, and non-emergency siren usage! Then! A room-raiding worstie!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸 Instagram: instagram.com/thefirstdegree🕺 TikTok:

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00:58:51

Episode 261: Steve Fason

The First Degree ·

2023/08/23

Late at night on Saturday, February 8th of 2020, 57-year-old Steve Ray Fason meets 22-year-old Sandra Marie Rappold for a discussion at his home in Bigelow, Arkansas. For weeks, Sandra has been hounding Steve by texting him, calling him, and showing up at his house uninvited. Sandra is convinced that Steve has committed crimes he had been acquitted of years ago. Finally, Steve decides to give Sandra what she wants: a conversation. The next day, Steve’s lifeless body is discovered at a neighboring

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00:49:10

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THE FOURTH DIMENSION

The First Degree ·

2023/08/17

This week the girls and the ginger are once again asking you to reach for those tinfoil hats and join us on our quest to find extra-terrestrials! We’re breaking down some of the interesting UFO news we’ve heard recently! On the stand this week: Incandescent bulbs, uber sermons, premature table-clearing, and gin martinis! Then! A worstie trashes the place!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project:

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00:59:04

Episode 260: Phillip Brewer and Jody Fortuna

The First Degree ·

2023/08/16

In September of 2016, 33-year-old Phillip Brewer, 38-year-old Jody Fortuna, and 37-year-old Michael Montano gather at a bar in Gillette, Wyoming. Years ago, the three childhood friends grew up near the same small Wyoming town. At some points in their lives, these men considered themselves like brothers. Now, as adults, the three men spend time together whenever they can. Drinking beer, going on fishing trips, and spending time outdoors. They all appear successful, with good jobs and caring families

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00:35:26

PATREON EXCLUSIVE: MISSING: LAUREN SPIERER

The First Degree ·

2023/08/15

After a night of partying with friends, a 20-year-old college student goes missing just before sunrise. There are thousands of tips and theories, but scant evidence. Police hit a wall, but not before the investigation splinters into many directions: the boyfriend, the friends, convicted criminals, a local biker gang and a suspicious vehicle that could be key to cracking the case. What will it take to finally crack this case?🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over

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00:46:55

BONUS: KILLING TIME: KEVIN GOES TO MARS

The First Degree ·

2023/08/10

This week the girls and the ginger return for a little of this, a little of that. We’ve spent the last month or so on the road and dealing with the craziness of the LISK case, so this week we’re taking some time to fill everybody in on what we’ve been up to! On the stand: space probe names, wedge salads, sitting and looking, and handing the dinner bill to the man! Then! A worstie laughs in the face of authority!🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on

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00:43:38

Episode 259: Jhorden Clay

The First Degree ·

2023/08/09

On May 3, 2023, 911 is called to respond to a 4 year old boy in Portland, Oregon, who’s unconscious after suffering a seizure. But it’s clear to first responders and medical staff that the boy has suffered significant physical trauma and neglect resulting from abuse. The youngster sadly dies in hospital from his injuries, despite his family’s hopes he would recover and pull through. When police begin investigating how this tragedy has come to pass, the terrible truth quickly emerges. The alleged

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00:45:05

BONUS: KILLING TIME: THEME PARKS

The First Degree ·

2023/08/03

Strap in!! This week the girls and the ginger are seeking thrills! We’re talking about bizarre theme parks, and the many off-putting ideas people have come up with! Then! On the stand this week: forming a line, frogs as pets, holding the elevator, and gatekeeping local food! And finally, our worstie makes a key mistake.🎟 Catch up to FOUR bonus episodes per month plus full video episodes over on Patreon:patreon.com/thefirstdegree❤️ The Heavy Metal Project: theheavymetalproject.com📸 Instagram:

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