Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The review reflects that homicide is a strong possibility. Witness statements are in conflict. A potential suspect handled the body as well as the evidence prior to the law enforcement arrival. Evidence was disposed of and no inquiry followed. The scene was not preserved. Evidence was inappropriately handled. The investigation was compromised by unauthorized access and disclosure to potential targets and witnesses." — Ralph Fernandez (Tamala Horsford's family attorney)
"If found dead in police custody, it wasn't suicide." — Joseph Smedley (via Twitter bio)
"I am glad we had the opportunity to conference today with the rest of the immediate family. Hopefully by Tuesday I'll have a more detailed analysis for you but for today however, I want to repeat some of what I told you. The review reflects that homicide is a strong possibility." — Ralph Fernandez (Tamala Horsford's family attorney)
This episode meticulously examines the suspicious deaths of Tamala Horsford and Joseph Smedley, presenting detailed accounts of the initial investigations and the subsequent challenges posed by the victims' families. For Tamala Horsford, the narrative unfolds from a seemingly accidental fall off a second-story balcony during a party to a more complex and questioned death. The initial police response and autopsy findings pointed to an accidental death, heavily influenced by alcohol consumption. However, inconsistencies in witness statements, the handling of the scene, and a mysterious cut on Tamala's wrist raised doubts. The episode highlights the persistent efforts of Tamala's friend, Michelle Graves, and her family's legal team to question the official ruling, leading to accusations of tampered evidence and potential cover-ups, including the suspicious disappearance of a flash drive containing Michelle's social media posts.
The second part of the episode focuses on Joseph Smedley, a college student whose death was initially ruled a suicide by drowning. The narrative details his peculiar final text message indicating he was leaving the country, the discovery of his body in a lake with a backpack full of rocks, and his family's immediate disbelief in the suicide ruling. The episode scrutinizes the initial investigation, pointing out inconsistencies in the timeline provided by roommates, the recovery of Joseph's phone in disparate locations, and the coroner's ruling which his family strongly disputes. The discovery of hemorrhaging on Joseph's back during a second autopsy and the presence of binoculars around his neck, coupled with the unusually shallow depth of the water where he was found, further fuels the family's belief that foul play was involved.
Both cases are framed within a broader context of potential institutional bias and the impact of social media advocacy. The episode draws attention to the racial demographics of Forsyth County, Georgia, where Tamala lived, and the historical context of racial tensions, suggesting that these factors may have influenced the handling of her case. Similarly, concerns are raised about the university's and police department's response to Joseph's disappearance, with questions about why his case did not receive more immediate attention. The episode emphasizes the power of public pressure, petitions, and social media in forcing authorities to re-examine cases and highlight the ongoing fight for justice for Tamala Horsford and Joseph Smedley.