"The first 48 hours of an investigation are the most important. And when it comes to stranger abductions and missing children, it's actually even more pressing than that, because it's actually the first three hours that are most critical." — Ashley Flowers
"The idea was, if you've already got two felony convictions under your belt, the third one will get you a life sentence. No more at bats, no more chances." — Ashley Flowers
"He turned to the TV cameras, put up both middle fingers, winked, and blew a kiss." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the harrowing case of 12-year-old Polly Class, who was abducted from her Petaluma, California home on October 1, 1993. The abduction, carried out by Richard Allen Davis, occurred while Polly was at a sleepover. The initial investigation was hampered by limited forensic technology available in 1993, though investigators did recover crucial evidence like a palm print and carpet fibers. The case gained national attention due to the extensive grassroots search efforts and media coverage, highlighting the urgency of finding missing children.
The investigation eventually identified Richard Allen Davis as a suspect, a career criminal with a history of violent offenses. His car had been found stuck in a ditch near the Class residence on the night of the abduction, and subsequent evidence, including items found in the woods and the identification by Polly's friends, led to his arrest. Davis confessed to the kidnapping and murder, though he claimed it was unplanned. His trial and conviction for murder led to an automatic death sentence.
The Polly Class case, alongside the earlier murder of Kimber Reynolds, significantly amplified public demand for stricter laws against repeat offenders. This advocacy culminated in the passage of California's "Three Strikes Law" in 1994. The episode examines the law's intent to incarcerate habitual criminals for life after their third felony conviction and discusses its widespread impact, including controversies surrounding its application to non-violent offenses and subsequent amendments aimed at focusing on serious or violent crimes.