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PODCAST

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast

Radio Vérté | Cory Zimmerman

Radio Vérté Presents: The Spoon River Gothic Podcast - True Crime Narratives Written & Narrated by Cory ZimmermanExecutive Producer Cory Zimmerman.Written, Edited & Narrated by Cory Zimmerman.Research by Rachel Laubis, Moira King & Allison Hester.Blog Written by Samantha Thomas.Subscribe to THE SRG AGENCY @ https://www.patreon.com/SpoonRiverGothicPodcast & Access The SPOON RIVER GOTHIC CASE FILE for Bonus Weekly Episodes & Investigative Materials (Audio Interviews, Trial Footage,

true crime

All Episodes

70:28

Ch. 54 - Machinery of Death

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/10/20

Welcome to Hell-- We dive into several accounts from inmates on death row, as they appear in letters written from Death Row. Death Row inmates describe the extreme confinement conditions they face, 23 hours a day in 6x9 feet cells. These accounts offer a deeply thought-provoking insight into the human experience within a system that ultimately aims to end their lives. These narratives strike at the heart of the debate surrounding the death penalty, exposing its underlying brutality. These accounts,

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39:49

S1. Bonus - A Solemn Responsibility

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/10/12

Bonus Author-I will present a bonus chapter written by Spoon River Gothic co-producer Samantha Thomas. This report shall pertain to Samantha’s subjective analysis of the Defense and Prosecution team’s closing arguments during Donald Bull’s 1996 trial. “A Solemn Responsibility” by Samantha ThomasFollow out blog @: www.spoonrivergothi.com

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29:47

Ch. 53 - All Bets are Off

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/10/08

Dr. Michael Gelbort-- Notably, Dr. Gelbort starred in the hit Netflix series "I Am a Killer," lending his expertise to the show. Dr. Gelbort assists patients by conducting interviews and coordinating testing for suspected neurological issues. His evaluations contribute essential insights for referring sources, aiding in the understanding of patients' cognitive functioning and potential interventions that could have been implemented before a crime had been committed. A clinical neuropsychologist with

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53:30

Ch. 52 - Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/10/07

The pursuit of closure-- Death penalty cases are a profoundly intricate and emotionally charged process with profound implications for the victims’ families and the defendants. In the case of Donald Bull Jr., his journey through the legal system underscored these complexities. Donnie's appeals, filed in May 1996, opened a new chapter in his case, revealing fundamental allegations, from improper search techniques to evidence-sharing concerns. This legal process, though fraught with intricacies, has

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24:44

Ch. 51 - "Something fishy is going on here..."

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/29

A conversation with Ken & Alan-- Ken, the former deputy who escorted Donnie Bull to and from the courthouse each day of his trial, provides us with a fascinating juxtaposition--his impression of Donnie as calm and self-assured in the face of grave charges, starkly contrasted with Ken's own confidence in Donnie's guilt. This incongruity casts a spotlight on the nuances of human behavior and the challenges of making determinations based on appearances alone. Perhaps the most thought-provoking

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39:05

Ch. 50 - A Heavy Burden

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/27

Mr. Parkinson-- The assistant state's attorney, ardently presenting the prosecution's case with counterarguments to the defense’s closing, reminds us of the importance of recalling the complexity of Donna Tompkins' relationships with multiple male suspects. Was her relationship with them as black and white as the defense describes? While Mr. Parkinson argues his case, we must scrutinize the timeline leading up to that fateful morning—especially when comparing the original account Rod gave

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46:13

Ch. 49 - Burn Hot, Fast & Intense

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/25

A closing argument-- McMillian, Donald Bull’s co-defense attorney, masterfully navigates the twists and turns of this complex trial, leading us toward a thought-provoking destination—engaging, challenging, and captivating us as we dissect her closing argument and consider the profound implications of this relentless pursuit of truth, justice, and the presumption of innocence. In a world where doubt can eclipse certainty, McMillian reminds us that the burden of proof rests firmly on the shoulders of

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2:17

SRG: Narrative of a Double Homicide - TRAILER

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/24

Cory Zimmerman and Radio Vérité Present the Literary, Long-Form, True Crime Podcast: "SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - NARRATIVE of a DOUBLE HOMICIDE"A True Crime Saga Revealing a Mystery of Romance, Obsession & Terror. The Borders of the Puzzle - Arson & Murder!A HAUNTING TALE - The perplexing double homicide of mother and child unfolding against a vivid backdrop of a quaint, midwestern town—the story kicks off with the chilling discovery of Donna and Justine Tompkins' lifeless bodies in their

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43:27

Ch. 48 - A Reasonable Doubt

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/22

The Legal Arena-- As the pursuit of justice hangs in a precarious balance, the intricacies of the Donald Bull case unravel—what reveals itself to be a gripping courtroom drama that has captivated the public’s attention. Donnie Bull, a name etched in the annals of Canton, Illinois, history, stands, as you know, accused of a heinous crime—the murder of Donna and her daughter, Justine Tompkins. Mr. Stone, Bull's unyielding defense attorney, is at the center of this tumultuous trial. With the weight of

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57:27

Ch. 47 - The Stepping Stone

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/19

An intricate tapestry-- During closing arguments, the prosecution, led by the formidable Mr. Ed Danner, weaves a compelling narrative, drawing upon several critical threads of evidence. The enigmatic ring found in Donald Bull's possession is at the heart of Danner’s case. It is a piece of jewelry that seems to hold the key to a cryptic connection. The prosecution argues that this ring, belonging to Donna Tompkins, is a compelling link to her, possibly hinting at Donnie's involvement in the tragic

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52:47

Ch. 46 - Of the Last Drink

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/13

Courtroom theater-- Arriving at closing statements during a criminal trial, lives hang in the balance, and the long-awaited trial of Donald Bull is no exception. As lead prosecutor, States Attorney Ed Danner, stands before the jury, acknowledging their attentiveness, we are immediately drawn into a world where justice is paramount. The charges, “first-degree murder,” “concealment of homicidal deaths,” and “aggravated arson,” cast a long shadow over the proceedings, hinting at the gravity and weight

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1:29

SRG: "Narrative of a Double Homicide" - Trailer

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/09

Cory Zimmerman and Radio Vérité Present the Literary, Long-Form, True Crime Podcast: "SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - NARRATIVE of a DOUBLE HOMICIDE"A True Crime Saga Revealing a Mystery of Romance, Obsession & Terror. The Borders of the Puzzle - Arson & Murder!A HAUNTING TALE - The perplexing double homicide of mother and child unfolding against a vivid backdrop of a quaint, midwestern town—the story kicks off with the chilling discovery of Donna and Justine Tompkins' lifeless bodies in their

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1:47

SRG: "Narrative of a Double Homicide" - Trailer

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/08

Cory Zimmerman and Radio Vérité Present the Literary, Long-Form, True Crime Podcast: "SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - NARRATIVE of a DOUBLE HOMICIDE"A True Crime Saga Revealing a Mystery of Romance, Obsession & Terror. The Borders of the Puzzle - Arson & Murder!A HAUNTING TALE - The perplexing double homicide of mother and child unfolding against a vivid backdrop of a quaint, midwestern town—the story kicks off with the chilling discovery of Donna and Justine Tompkins' lifeless bodies in their

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16:23

Part 3. Prologue - A Reasonable Doubt

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/07

The trial: Odds & Obstacles-- Alan Friedman, a seasoned legal professional who headed up Donald Bull’s clemency team, will revisit the legal labyrinth and specific aspects of the case that will take center stage—the discovery of Donnie pawning a ring; scrutiny by Friedman's law students who found inconsistencies in the case; along with other doubts he felt about the integrity of the evidence. These revelations will underscore the delicate balance between such evidence and its interpretation,

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69:13

Ch. 45 - Neither Brave Man Nor Coward

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/06

A stark reminder-- Within every story, there's a shadow of doubt lurking. To confront this shadow, we must adopt a vigilant skepticism and a relentless pursuit of the truth. It's an arduous journey that demands we question our assumptions, scrutinize testimonies, and explore the recesses of uncertainty. We can only hope to glimpse the elusive light of justice by navigating this labyrinth of doubt with unwavering dedication. Confirmation bias, that insidious inclination to interpret information in a

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1:01

SRG - "Narrative of a Double Homicide" - Trailer

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/09/05

Cory Zimmerman and Radio Vérité Present the Literary, Long-Form, True Crime Podcast: "SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - NARRATIVE of a DOUBLE HOMICIDE"A True Crime Saga Revealing a Mystery of Romance, Obsession & Terror. The Borders of the Puzzle - Arson & Murder!A HAUNTING TALE - The perplexing double homicide of mother and child unfolding against a vivid backdrop of a quaint, midwestern town—the story kicks off with the chilling discovery of Donna and Justine Tompkins' lifeless bodies in their

en

66:53

Ch. 44 - The Thrill of the Hunt

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/08/30

The world of criminal investigation-- Within a complex web of strategies and techniques, each agency threads its own path toward justice. The Donna Tompkins case serves as a captivating tableau, shedding light on the striking differences in the approaches taken by opposing agencies, juxtaposing the investigative ideals of the renowned Federal Bureau of Investigation. As we dive into the local Canton Police Department and the intricacies of their own investigative methods, a profound comparison

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44:55

Ch. 43 - Naysayers

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/08/23

A Look back at those early suspicions-- Conversations with former Canton police officer Rusty Graham, again, offer a unique look into a first-hand account of that tragic January morning in 1993. Communications with firefighters and fellow officers on scene indicated that the circumstances surrounding the fire were far from ordinary, as the fire commander's observations gave birth to a sense of intrigue—a clue that this wasn't a mere accident. Back in early January 1993, in a town where crimes were

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48:25

Ch. 42 - The Contenders

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/08/21

A contrasting depiction of Donald Bull-- Donnie’s letters and newspaper articles paint a complex picture of a man entangled in legal battles and personal struggles. In his letters, Bull appears defiant and assertive about his innocence. He expresses frustration towards the police, alleging interference in his correspondence and manipulation of his letters as evidence. This portrays him as a person who firmly believes in his own innocence and is ready to fight against perceived injustice. On the

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33:20

Ch. 41 - Crazy Eyes

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast ·

2023/08/15

Jeff Grigsby-- During Jeff’s time in jail, he shared a cell with Donnie Bull. Through Jeff's experience, we gain invaluable insights that shed light on the complexity of Donnie’s character and potential flaws in the justice system. Jeff was born in Canton, Illinois, and possesses a personal connection to the story. Having spent those long hours and days in jail with Donnie, his perspective offers a unique lens through which we can view the man behind the headlines. Jeff and Donnie’s backgrounds and

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108 results

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