Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders." — Ashley Flowers (Setting the grim tone for the episode)
"We are on a mission to kill three girls in tent one." — Anonymous (Chilling pre-crime threat found at the camp)
"You will never pin it on me." — Gene Hart (Prime suspect's defiant response to investigators)
This episode delves into the horrific 1977 murders of three young Girl Scouts—Michelle, Denise, and Lori—at Camp Scott in Oklahoma. The narrative begins by establishing the idyllic setting of the camp and then pivots to the chilling discovery of the victims, detailing the brutality of the crime, including assault, mutilation, and strangulation. The investigation quickly focused on Gene Hart, a local man with a history of violent crimes. Evidence found at the scene and in a discovered cave, including nylon rope, duct tape, and misplaced eyeglasses, began to link back to individuals in the area, eventually pointing towards Hart.
The podcast explores the circumstantial evidence against Gene Hart, including his escape from prison years prior, his history of violence against women involving similar methods, and the discovery of items in a cave that linked to the crime scene. A significant piece of evidence was a crumpled photograph of a woman found in the cave, which, when traced through a photographer and a prison inmate, ultimately led investigators to Hart. His capture while wearing women's glasses was seen as a strong connection. However, the defense raised significant doubts, questioning the integrity of the evidence, including the potential planting of items and the reliability of early forensic techniques like hair comparison.
Despite the prosecution's case, Gene Hart was found not guilty by a jury. The episode concludes by noting that Hart returned to prison to serve time for his prior escape and offenses, eventually dying in prison. The podcast highlights the continued debate surrounding his guilt or innocence, the controversial nature of the trial, and the ongoing possibility of DNA retesting that could definitively answer whether Gene Hart was the perpetrator. The episode also touches on the psychological trauma experienced by survivors and the ethical concerns regarding the immediate notification of legal and insurance entities over victims' families.