Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"Every true crime story has one thing in common. Nothing is as it seems." — Ashley Flowers
"Actual innocence is the most thorough exoneration. A man or a woman, a citizen in this country, can receive." — Josh Keyser
"I believe sincerely they knew what they were doing. I believe we have proven that they knew what they were doing." — Josh Keyser
This episode revisits the 1992 murder of Angela Michelle Lawless in Benton, Missouri, and the subsequent conviction of Josh Keyser, who has since been exonerated. The narrative traces the initial discovery of Lawless's body, detailing the crime scene inconsistencies and early investigative missteps. A significant portion of the episode focuses on the problematic testimony of Mark Abbott, whose shifting accounts and conflicting details raised immediate red flags for investigators. Despite these issues and the lack of direct evidence, Josh Keyser, who maintained his innocence and claimed to be hundreds of miles away, was charged and convicted.
The investigation into Lawless's murder was plagued by unreliable witnesses, potential mishandling of evidence, and a prosecution that many now believe rushed to judgment to close the case. The episode highlights the emergence of a new sheriff, Rick Walter, who, years later, re-examined the case and became convinced of Keyser's innocence. This reinvestigation uncovered numerous suppressed details and inconsistencies, leading to Keyser's exoneration. The narrative also explores other potential suspects, including Kevin Williams and the Abbott twins, and the challenges of retesting old evidence and pursuing justice decades later.
The latter part of the episode features an interview with Josh Keyser, who discusses his wrongful conviction, his journey to exoneration, and his ongoing commitment to finding justice for Angela Lawless. He emphasizes the importance of detailed investigations and the flaws within the justice system that can lead to such miscarriages of justice. Keyser's activism now extends to other wrongful conviction cases and advocating for the truth in the Lawless murder, driven by a profound sense of duty and faith.