"The fact that they don't seem to see the significance of this call to me, at any point, for any reason, it's bizarre." — Ashley Flowers (Highlighting the dismissal of a crucial lead by investigators)
"He said that it would, quote, 'teach her to keep her damn mouth shut.'" — Pam's Mother (Interpreting Henry Newell's comment about Christie, suggesting potential guilt)
"It's almost this known family secret, but it starts to become more like lore than fact." — Ashley Flowers (Describing how incriminating family knowledge can be dismissed over time)
The episode recounts the brutal murder of 14-year-old Christy Mullins in Clintonville, Ohio, in August 1975. The initial discovery of her body by Henry Newell and his family, who encountered a man beating something in the woods, led to a flawed investigation. Investigators focused on a composite sketch and a quick confession from Jack Carmen, a man with developmental disabilities, leading to his swift conviction despite significant inconsistencies in his confession and doubts about his competency.
As the podcast progresses, considerable evidence emerges pointing towards Henry Newell, the man who discovered the body, as the true perpetrator. This includes witness testimonies regarding his suspicious behavior, the discovery of physical evidence (cut-off jeans, wire similar to that used to bind Christy) that was seemingly ignored by police, and eventually, posthumous confessions from family members. The defense team effectively highlighted the investigative missteps and Newell's potential involvement during Jack Carmen's subsequent trial, leading to Carmen's acquittal.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against Henry Newell, who also had a history of criminal behavior and was later suspected in his wife's death, he was never charged for Christy Mullins' murder due to his passing. The case was officially reopened in 2014, with investigators concluding that Newell was responsible, but no charges could be filed. The episode underscores the devastating impact of the unsolved crime on Christy's family, particularly her father Norman, who tirelessly sought justice.