Updates: Christa Pike, Lindsay Clancy, Linda Henning, & the End of the Olney Search
Four updates this week, and the strangest is out of New Mexico.
In 2002, Linda Henning stood trial for her life in the 1999 disappearance and presumed murder of Girly Chew Hossencofft, a bank teller whose body has never been found. Last week a judge ruled Henning had been so delusional she believed she was on trial over "golden discs." The judge threw out the conviction, ordered a new trial, and on Friday let her out after 27 years in custody. We go through the con man who called himself a surgeon, the lizard-people seminar, the blood evidence, the defense that backfired, and why trying someone who can't understand their own trial is unconstitutional.
Also in this episode:
OLNEY: The FBI and Philadelphia police have wrapped their search of 417 W. Chew Ave. No human remains found. Animal bones, a safe hidden in a wall, adipocere ("grave wax"), and DNA still being tested. Seven women are still connected to the house. LINDSAY CLANCY: A judge rejects the defense bid to investigate the holdout juror, and a new poll says nearly half of Massachusetts voters want her retried. CHRISTA PIKE: Tennessee tried to execute her in Nashville on Sept. 30 and failed. We cover what happened in the chamber, what's happened since, this week's new court filing, and whether the state can try again.
Olney tips: Philadelphia Police, 215-686-TIPS (8477). Homicide Unit: 215-686-3334.
Next episode: an update on the Matthew Farwell trial.