Letters From A Killer
“Anyone can write to a prisoner on death row...”
From the makers of the hit true-crime documentary series ‘I Am a Killer’ comes a gripping, immersive, and personal journey into the minds of murderers. Hosted by documentary makers Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, ‘Letters From A Killer’ reveals the intimate letters they’ve received from convicted murderers facing life in prison or the death penalty.
Each episode, we explore the thoughts of men and women who kill through their own words, as Zoe and Ned delve into their motives, their crimes, and the stories the letters really tell.
‘Letters From A Killer’ is a Podimo (https://podimo.com/) podcast series produced by Transistor Films.
Podimo is an open podcast platform, currently available in Denmark, Germany, Spain and Latin America which shares revenue with the creators. If you have a podcast you can claim your podcast now, just visit http://podimo.com for more information.
Episodes
15: False Prophet
“I have asked Jesus Christ to forgive me these cowardly acts that I did back then and to give me a clean slate, and he has.”
In 2004, Richard Tabler murdered his boss and an associate in an execution-style shooting. While in prison, he read the Bible daily, quoted from scripture, and wrote a regular Christian brochure. Is finding religion a sign of rehabilitation, or is it simply the final throw of the dice for people found guilty of the most heinous crimes? In the final episode of this series, documentary makers Ned Parker and Zoe Hines discuss Richard Tabler’s Letters From A Killer.
15/07/21•28m 38s
14: Ice Cream Killer
"He stopped for me to buy some ice cream. I told him I wanted to borrow his truck (and him) for a bit of a ride. I guess he thought I was playing. He soon changed his tune when I pulled out the revolver.”
In 1978, John Quinones stole an ice cream truck with the owner still inside. He picked up his friends, and then proceeded to sexually assault the owner, before driving him to a clearing and executing him. He claims that the situation just spiralled out of control. Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate his Letters From A Killer.
08/07/21•22m 37s
13: Death Row Reform
“I’m a lot more mature, and really glad I came to Death Row. I truly believe that Death Row saved my life, as crazy as that sounds.”
In 2004, Christopher Young stole a car at gunpoint, before driving to a convenience store and murdering the owner. While on death row, he reached out to youngsters, wrote books, and tried to turn his life around. Should these factors be considered in mitigating the crimes of a prisoner sentenced to die or are some people beyond rehabilitation? Documentary makers Ned Parker and Zoe Hines read his Letters From A Killer.
01/07/21•28m 34s
12: Overkill
When I got into trouble, I got beat. I’d have to stand naked and put my hands on the wall and count each hit. If I missed a count, he’d start over.”
In 2008, after taking mushrooms, Douglas Blaine Matthews drove 500 miles to meet a friend. He ended up in a crack house where a ‘high-octane’ fight broke out that resulted in multiple murders. Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate the traumatic childhood and drug dependency that may have led to this episode’s Letters From A Killer.
24/06/21•28m 58s
11: Whatever Makes You Happy
“After 18 years of solitary confinement with death breathing down my neck, some things don’t matter as much as they used to. I’ll still be strapped to that gurney and have my body pumped full of poison.”
In 1998, Christina Muse was assaulted with a stun gun, beaten, locked in a cupboard, and drowned. Her body was found stuffed in a barrel in a ditch four months later. Troy Clark was sent to death row for the murder, but has always denied it. Is there any merit to his claims? Zoe Hines and Ned Parker investigate his Letters From A Killer.
17/06/21•26m 11s
10: Cop Killer
“The great criminal mind I was (a bit of a joke, there) I decided that I would hide myself in the trunk, hoping to avoid detection.”
In 1994, Elton Williams robbed a man at gunpoint who fled and called the cops. Williams hid in the trunk of a car with his rifle, while his colleague tried to prevent his discovery. But when police opened the trunk, Williams opened fire. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
10/06/21•29m 28s
9: Murder Me
“I have been waiting eighteen years for the Governor to sign my warrant.”
In 1999, Ricardo Gill was given a life sentence for murder. Representing himself in court, he declared that while the death penalty could not be given for a “future murder” he asked the jury to make the right decision to prevent one. Four days later, in a bid to be sent to Death Row, he murdered his cellmate. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
03/06/21•30m 14s
8: Deadly Coercion
“Plan A was to drown him. Plan B was to stab him. Judy had pre-filled the tub with water and said she wanted him found there as part of plan A.”
In 1980, a young Navy war veteran, Frank Ross, brutally murdered his victim and left him floating face down in a bathtub. While a bloody murder had taken place that involved multiple stab wounds, there was no sign of forced entry. Was Ross infatuated with the victim’s wife who may have been the real mastermind behind the violent murder of her husband? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
27/05/21•31m 5s
7: Graphic Content Warning
“I learned to hate real quick, not just an emotional hate, but a devouring and all-consuming kind.”
In 2013, Kevin Jeffries and his cousin took part in the robbery, torture and murder of a ninety-year-old war veteran. Jeffries recounts the events of that night in graphic detail, but his story leaves many question marks about the timeline and motivations for events. Are drugs, poverty and family peer pressure responsible for this violent act? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
20/05/21•30m 26s
6: The Unlikely Vigilante
“I don’t remember exactly when, but I lit the flare and ran. Only later did I learn that there were three people in the house”
In 2014, Shey Weiker announced to friends that all child molesters deserved to die. Believing that her son had been abused by her ex-brother in law, she committed arson in an act of angry vigilante justice. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, discuss her Letters From A Killer.
13/05/21•30m 30s
5: Accidental Homicide
“I am guilty of the crime, but not as I was charged. I will tell you what honestly happened.”
In 1981, Phillip Tompkins robbed and kidnapped a woman who he claimed was accidentally killed during the abduction. He was a black perpetrator who pleaded innocent when convicted by an all-white jury.
True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker discuss issues of culpability during accidental homicide and themes of prejudice in the American legal system as detailed in these Letters From A Killer.
06/05/21•31m 14s
4: Becoming a Killer
“Any time I felt as though there was a niggling of fear developing, I would assault them.”
In 2003, Jason Campbell broke into a house and murdered the homeowners. Unknown to him, another murder was committed on the same street on the same night. This coincidence allows him to evade immediate conviction. When caught, he blames a tragic upbringing for leading him down a path of violent crime. True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
29/04/21•29m 49s
3: I Confess
“I’ll give you all you do know about me, plus all my other crimes I’m not convicted on.”
In 1989, Tracey Duke and colleagues robbed a restaurant. The manager was taken hostage and murdered during their escape. But was Duke’s accomplice ultimately responsible for leading him down a dark path of crime, and why was Duke confessing to a former murder that he hadn't been convicted of? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
22/04/21•32m 3s
2: The Good Samaritan Slaying
“I didn't witness how or when she was murdered. I didn't think anything on what was happening. I only thought, why is this happening at all?”
In 2005, a desperate young couple flees from Hurricane Rita to take an apartment with an older Hurricane Katrina refugee. They are offered help by an elderly church member and community leader. But a plan is made to rob the home of the charitable lady, which results in her murder. What part did victimisation have to play in the murder of this good samaritan? True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate Stephanie Jacobo’s Letters From A Killer.
Podimo is an open podcast platform, currently available in Denmark, Germany, Spain and Latin America which shares revenue with the creators. If you have a podcast you can claim your podcast now, just visit podimo.com for more information.
15/04/21•28m 10s
1: Merciful Murderer
“I actually prayed to God, I hope there ain’t many people in there because I don’t want to kill a lot of innocent people.”
In 2002, Jose Sandoval and his colleagues took part in “the deadliest bank robbery attempt in the history of the state of Nebraska.” The robbery resulted in the death of five innocent people. No money was taken and it all happened in less than sixty seconds. Sandoval details the events of that day with film script accuracy as True Crime documentary makers, Zoe Hines and Ned Parker, investigate his Letters From A Killer.
08/04/21•28m 35s
