"But there is so much more to this story. I'm so excited to tell everyone." — Delia DeAmbra
"And it just so happens that the guy that he points to is a black man from a small world town, about 30 minutes from Manio called Columbia. And the guy he points to was a known drug user. And he had been acquaintances with Stacey. So he wasn't like a complete stranger to Stacey pretty much right off the bat, the white police officers and detectives from the state Bureau of investigation, they took interest in this guy from Columbia and put all of their eggs in one basket and pursued him as their prime suspect." — Delia DeAmbra
"And when you say prominent legal figures, you're not saying like, you know, this guy's defense attorney. It's people who were on the other side of the table who in 1990 were rooting for his conviction now in in 2020 are like, yeah, maybe we got it wrong." — Ashley Flowers
The episode features Ashley Flowers of "Crime Junkie" interviewing Delia DeAmbra, host of the podcast "Counterclock," to discuss the upcoming second season of "Counterclock." This new season will delve into a 30-year-old homicide case in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, focusing on the murder of Stacey Stanton. While a conviction was made in 1991, DeAmbra's extensive investigation suggests that the case may not be as closed as previously believed, raising questions about the evidence used and the potential for a wrongful conviction.
DeAmbra details the initial discovery of Stacey Stanton's body by her coworker, Tina, and the subsequent early stages of the police investigation. A key point of discussion is the rapid focus on a particular suspect, an acquaintance of Stanton's with a history of drug use, based on information provided by another individual. The narrative highlights how, within hours of the discovery, authorities identified this individual as their prime suspect, leading to his arrest and eventual conviction. This swift conclusion has been the accepted truth for decades, shaping the community's understanding of the crime.
However, DeAmbra's deep dive over the past year has unearthed significant contradictions. She reveals that forensic evidence, including hair fibers and eyewitness accounts, appears to be inconsistent with the prosecution's case. Furthermore, prominent legal figures involved in the original trial, who were previously advocates for the conviction, now express doubts about the case's resolution. The episode emphasizes that "Counterclock" season two will explore these discrepancies, present new perspectives, and even feature interviews with the convicted individual, aiming to uncover the truth behind Stacey Stanton's murder and its impact on those involved.