Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"As it was explained to me, the tower Eugene's telephone hit off of is located east of the couple's home near 18th Street and Kessler Boulevard North Drive, and even further east of the tower his telephone would normally hit off of if he were home when he received the call." — Detective Norbell
"The state can't proceed with the case due to a lack of physical or corroborating evidence." — Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
"Fantasy is sure it's money... And her life is gone and nobody even knows what happened to her. It's just, it's mind-boggling." — Aunt Deborah McMurray
This episode continues the investigation into the death of Cherice Walker Bingham, a case marked by suspicious circumstances and a lack of conclusive evidence. Investigators focused on Cherice's husband, Eugene Bingham Jr., who stood to gain significantly from multiple life insurance policies totaling nearly $1 million. Autopsy results revealed the gunshot wound was of indeterminate range and inconsistent with Eugene's theories of an accidental discharge or the gun falling. Eugene's cell phone records indicated deleted calls, including one from Cherice's chiropractor and a suspicious ping near the crime scene that contradicted his alibi of being home. Further analysis revealed a high volume of calls between Eugene and his mistress, "Gene," in the days leading up to Cherice's death, with a notable silence on the day of the incident.
Despite a failing polygraph test by "Gene" and ballistics confirming Cherice was killed with her own gun, the case stalled due to insufficient evidence. The trajectory of the bullet suggested Cherice was in a defensive posture, ruling out suicide. The large life insurance policies, including a third one from Pepsi, intensified suspicion on Eugene. However, in March 2014, the Marion County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the murder charge against Eugene due to a lack of physical or corroborating evidence, particularly concerning the unreliable cell tower data. The dismissal allowed the case to be refiled if new evidence emerged.
In the aftermath, Eugene collected the life insurance proceeds, married "Gene," and had his arrest record expunged. A civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Cherice's family was settled for $75,000, with most terms remaining confidential. The official manner of Cherice's death remains "undetermined" by the medical examiner, despite police and some family members believing Eugene was responsible. Cherice's family continues to seek closure and keep her memory alive, highlighting the emotional toll of an unresolved case.