An investigation into the murder of military hero John Marmo Jr. tests the bonds of military camaraderie and unravels a myriad of secrets, lies and hidden identities. Marmo was shot and killed in front of his Camarillo, California, townhouse on December 1, 2006. Could his ex-wife Rebecca Braswell hold the answers to this mystery? -Rebecca Braswell, Snapped (August 9, 2019)
Prosecutor Richard Simon reflects on the murder case of John Marmo Jr., a military hero who was gunned down outside his Camarillo, California, townhouse on December 1, 2006. Simon recalls that Marmo’s ex-wife, Rebecca Braswell, who was engaged in a custody dispute with Marmo, and her friend, Rebecca Braswell, both claimed Marmo assaulted them during a custody exchange. -Rebecca Braswell, Snapped (August 12, 2019)
An investigation into the murder of a military hero tests the bonds of military camaraderie and unravels a myriad of secrets, lies and hidden identities. -Rebecca Braswell, Snapped (S25,E23)
ID Go: New neighbors, disrupt the harmony that has existed between residents for years. Alliances change and terror reigns until a winter storm puts a bloody end to the feud. -Game of Homes, Fear Thy Neighbor (S6,E2)
Sheila Bonge
Wendall Popejoy, U.S. Air Force Veteran
In the News:
Sheila Bonge’s sister, Val Flaherty, reacts to Wendell Popejoy’s sentencing at the Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018. Popejoy was convicted of murder in the Dec. 26, 2017, killing of his neighbor, Sheila Bonge, in Crockery Township. Bonge was shot while she was snowblowing an easement that she, Popejoy and another neighbor used to get to their driveways. He received a life sentence. -MLive (Nov. 5, 2018)
Fear Thy Neighbor – “Game of Homes” — Teaser #1 (August 2, 2019)
Fear Thy Neighbor – “Game of Homes” — Teaser #2 (August 6, 2019)
Fear Thy Neighbor – “Game of Homes” — Preview (August 8, 2019)
Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.
ID Go: A young family builds their dream home in the Kentucky Hills, but their heaven is hell for the quiet couple living next door. And a dispute over a shared road leads to fireworks, fury, and cold-blooded murder. -A Killer View, Fear Thy Neighbor (S6,E1)
On July 16, 2004, decorated Vietnam veteran Clyde Reddicks fatally shot Jeffrey Flaugher and Teresa Leadingham in their Grayson, Kentucky home after a sustained campaign of neighborhood disputes and gaslighting. Reddicks was facing the death penalty for capital murder but in July 2006 opted to plead guilty, but mentally ill to two counts of first-degree manslaughter, one count of second-degree burglary, and three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Clyde Reddicks was sentenced to 18 years for each manslaughter count, with the terms to run concurrently, ten years for the burglary charge, and seven years for the wanton endangerment counts which run consecutively with the manslaughter term. Clyde Reddicks died of cancer after serving just six years in prison.
Post Traumatic Stress is not a justification for murder.” -Det. Robert Garnes, Kentucky State Police (A Killer View, Fear Thy Neighbor)
YouTube:
A Killer View, Fear Thy Neighbor, Cream Productions (July 29, 2019)
A Killer View | Fear Thy Neighbor | Cream Productions (July 31, 2019)
A Killer View | Fear Thy Neighbor | Cream Productions (August 1, 2019)
Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.
Simple Kindness: Easy Ways to Repay Our Veterans for Their Service
It can be very difficult for the average American, especially those with no military experience, to appreciate the mental, physical, and financial impact that years of military service can have. The situation comes into focus when you consider that there are more than 1.3 million men and women on active duty, with more than 800,000 in the country’s reserve forces.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, family problems, and lack of employment opportunities can place a huge obstacle in the way of returning service members who just want things to return to normal. Unfortunately, it’s often not that easy, especially for those who return with debilitating injuries. If you’re looking for a way to help out, here are a few ideas.
Say ‘Thank You’
The Vietnam War experience taught Americans that returning service members can be seriously affectedby the nature of their return. If it’s critical or indifferent, veterans may feel unsupported and unappreciated. And while today’s military personnel typically don’t face the kind of harsh criticism that confronted Vietnam-era servicemen and servicewomen, they can still be powerfully impacted by a lack of support and understanding. If you want to help a veteran, acknowledge their service by shaking their hand or offering a sincere “Thank you.”
The Health Care They Need
Veterans, particularly seniors, need to understand how their health insurance works. For those enrolled in Medicare Part A or B, there are several out-of-pocket costs, and to complicate matters further, plans often change from year to year. Fortunately, you can enroll in a Medigap plan, which may provide more of the benefits you need. For example, Plan F covers the deductible that comes with Medicare Part B, though certain changes to this particular benefit will go into effect beginning in 2020. Knowing your coverage and understanding how Medicare functions is essential for getting the most out of your coverage.
Help Veterans Reintegrate Socially
A soldier who returns home without a job or without access to social services may feel lost and alone. Consider organizing an event for returning service members, perhaps schedule an evening at the movies, an informal dinner setting, or get together every week at a nearby coffee shop. Make it a venue where everyone can talk about their experiences, hopes, and frustrations.
If you have a relationship with a veteran, offer to help out in specific ways. For example, if your friend has trouble scheduling a medical or therapy appointment, reach out by offering to babysit or offer to give them a ride if they lack transportation. There are many ways to volunteer, just by making efforts of simple goodwill.
Finding Work
Veterans often find that the skills they learned in the military don’t translate well into steady employment once they’re discharged. That can be especially true of veterans who lack a degree or some form of higher education. If you’re a business owner or have access to human resources personnel at work, why not put in a good word for a veteran who’s having trouble latching on somewhere? Your company will earn tax credits for hiring veterans. Sometimes, a foot in the door is all a veteran needs to impress a prospective employer.
Be a Willing Listener
You don’t have to be close friends with a service member who just needs a sympathetic ear. Give a veteran an opportunity to share their experiences. You really don’t need to say much, just be present in the moment and listen without judging or criticizing. It’s a simple but important gesture because many have no one to talk to, no outlet for their frustrations and anxieties.
Simple gestures are sometimes the best way to help veterans, service members, and their families. Be willing to provide the kind of support and assistance you’d offer to anyone. It’ll make you feel great and it’s a great way to thank our military heroes for their service.
In May when the Kentucky Attorney General arrested Christian “Kit” Martin for the murders of three people in Pembroke, Kentucky, he offered no clues on what new evidence led to the arrest. -Fox Nashville (July 26, 2019)
James Fields Jr., 20, from Ohio, was charged with second-degree murder after killing Heather Heyer, 32, and critically injuring several others when he drove his vehicle into a crowd of protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia. The protestors that he harmed were counter protesting a “white nationalist” protest. According to police records, Fields was previously accused of beating his mother and threatening her with a knife. James Fields Jr. served in the active duty Army for about four months from August to December 2015. He was discharged after failing out of basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. Fields was denied bail. On June 28, 2019, a federal judge sentenced James Fields Jr. to life in prison for 29 hate crimes. On July 15, 2019, Fields Jr. was sentenced to life in prison plus 419 years and $480,000 in fines by the State of Virginia for the Charlottesville car attack.
In the News:
James Alex Fields Jr. is behind bars after he allegedly plowed his car into a crowd of people protesting against a white nationalist rally in Virginia. -ABC News (August 13, 2017)
James Fields, the white nationalist who killed Heather Heyer by ramming his car into a crowd of protesters at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia has been sentenced to life in prison. -NowThis News (June 28, 2019)
An avowed white supremacist who plowed his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing a young woman, apologized to his victims Friday before being sentenced to life in prison on hate crime charges. -Bloomberg TicToc (June 28, 2019)
The man who deliberately drove through a crowd of people in Charlottesville, Virginia, has received another life sentence. Dozens were wounded and one person was killed. -CBS News (July 15, 2019)
“Cesar Francesco Barone enlisted in the Army and served during the 1989 invasion of Panama out of Fort Lewis, Wash. A year later, the Army discharged him for lying about his felony conviction.”
Two young women are shot and left for dead on a beach in Texas. After one miraculously survives, she is determined to find out who the attacker is. When a young man is eventually convicted, the long road to justice seems to be complete until a stunning twist raises a question – could the wrong man be in prison? Josh Mankiewicz reports. -Dateline NBC (June 7, 2019)
The latest: Major Martin became a “person of interest” to law enforcement officials in the Fort Campbell area after several bodies were discovered Nov. 19 at two different locations not far from his Pembroke, Ky., home. One of the bodies was that of Calvin Lee Phillips, 59, a man who lived across the street from the major and was set to testify during the aforementioned military trial. Following an emergency hearing Nov. 24, a military judge ordered the trial, set to begin Dec. 1, delayed indefinitely. -Bob McCarty (Nov. 30, 2015)
Screenshot of Christian Martin’s interview with News 4 Tennessee about the Pembroke murders (April 28, 2016). Click here for raw video.
Facts:
Nov. 18, 2015: Calvin Phillips was found fatally shot in his home & the bodies of his wife Pamela Phillips & neighbor, Edward Dansereau, were found in Pam Phillips’ burned out car on Rosetown Road in Pembroke, Kentucky
April 28, 2016: Christian Martin interviewed with the local media about the Pembroke murders. He denied any involvement and was confident that he would not be accused of the crimes. He wanted to set the record straight.
May 13, 2016: Christian Martin was found guilty of two counts of mishandling of classified material & two counts of assault of a child; Martin was found not guilty on two charges of rape of a child & communicating a threat; Sentenced to three months in jail & discharged from the Army
July 11, 2018: Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear faces scrutiny for past campaign contributions; Beshear’s top deputy was accused of taking kick-backs and bribes for political donations; Republicans accused team Beshear of being corrupt; although it had been two years at the time of print, the money still had not been spent but Beshear vowed to donate any tainted contributions to Common Cause, a government watchdog group
May 10, 2019: Martin was indicted on three counts of murder; one count of arson; one count of attempted arson, burglary in the 1st degree & three counts of tampering with physical evidence; Authorities have not given a motive or said what led them to believe Martin was responsible
May 21, 2019: Attorney General Andy Beshear wins the Democratic primary for Kentucky governor
May 22, 2019: At arraignment, Christian Martin pleads not guilty; the State of Kentucky AG is holding him in jail with no bond and threatening the death penalty
“The Christian County Sherriff’s Department tells FOX 17 that both Major Martin and [Joan] Harmon are persons of interest in the triple murder that happened in Pembroke back in November. The department says it has interviewed Harmon twice about the murders and what she knows. However, the department refuses to say she’s a suspect.” –Fox 17 Nashville (May 11, 2016)
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. Arrests and charges are accusations by legal authorities until a suspect is convicted of the crime.
The Murder Of A Federal Witness : A News4 Special -WSMV (June 30, 2019)
In May when the Kentucky Attorney General arrested Christian “Kit” Martin for the murders of three people in Pembroke, Kentucky, he offered no clues on what new evidence led to the arrest. -Fox Nashville (July 26, 2019)
A love triangle and financial ruin: Who had the motive to murder in Pembroke? Part 2 -Fox Nashville (July 26, 2019)
Christian Richard Martin is facing several charges, in Christian County, Ky., including murder and arson. Martin moved from Kentucky to North Carolina after the murders, the Attorney General’s Office said. -WFMY News 2 (May 11, 2019)
“A former commercial pilot and US Army major is accused in the deaths of three neighbors in a sordid web of allegations including infidelity, murder and political opportunism. Christian “Kit” Martin is accused of murdering Edward Dansereau and married couple Calvin and Pamela Phillips on November 18, 2015. The charred remains of Pamela Phillips and Dansereau were found in a burnt car in a field in Pembroke. The car was traced to the Phillips’ home, where investigators found another crime scene – Calvin Phillips dead from multiple gunshot wounds.” -COURT TV
Please click here for the Court TV YouTube playlist for Kentucky vs. Christian Martin (2021) or click here for the entire trial on COURT TV ON DEMAND.
While investigating a tragic murder, Wisconsin police must work their way through a complex web, spanning across the nation, with alleged mafia ties and scandalous text messages. -Donna Matthews, Snapped, Oxygen (March 4, 2019)
Municipal construction workers making a house call discover a foul odor coming from a residence near their work site. -Donna Matthews, Snapped, Oxygen (March 4, 2019)
Law enforcement, legal counsel and friends describe Donna Matthews’ calculated murder plan of her former boyfriend Michael Gayan. -Snapped, Oxygen (March 6, 2019)
Derrick Matthews, brother of Donna Matthews is interviewed by police. -Donna Matthews, Snapped, Oxygen (March 7, 2019)
Tristine Fleming, friend of Donna Matthews, explains there are always two sides to every story. -Snapped, Oxygen (March 8, 2019)
Full Episode: While investigating a tragic murder, Wisconsin police must work their way through a complex web, spanning across the nation, with alleged mafia ties and scandalous text messages. -Donna Matthews, Snapped, Oxygen (March 3, 2019)
In the News:
WGTD covered the highly discussed Donna Matthews Murder Trial that occurred from June 25th-July 10th, 2018. Matthews was convicted of murder July 10th. The closing arguments are attached. -WGTD (July 11, 2018)
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 