Skip to main content
The Felon File

The Felon File

By Scott Lunsford

The Felon File Podcast is a discussion of law enforcement history, issues, and incidents. Stories of justice and justice failed, in the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. Hosted by Scott Lunsford, retired police detective sergeant, author, and researcher. Listened to in 22 countries worldwide.

felonfile.com

Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode s2-8- 100 sticks of Dynamite and the murder of 3 little girls. 1937

The Felon File Oct 12, 2019

00:00
26:37
The 1973 Murder of Stringbean

The 1973 Murder of Stringbean

The  Murder of Stringbean the Banjo Man

Episode 10-20

The Felon File. In 1973, a member of the Grand Ole Opera and his wife were murdered in their rural home and farm. Why was the quiet couple killed? Who were the killers? How did their deaths impact the Country Music World at the time?  On line 3-23-24 @ 7:00 pm on your favorite podcast platform.

Mar 23, 202430:10
Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The English Moor Murders

Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The English Moor Murders

Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The English Moor Murders

Episode 10-17

A review of the United Kingdom serial Killers, Ian Brady & Myra Hindley. The 1960s English Moor Murders

Mar 10, 202428:28
1875 Murder of the Farmer's Daughter

1875 Murder of the Farmer's Daughter

1875 Murder of the Farmer's Daughter

Episode 10-17

Monroe Co Tenn. 1875. Was it love or murder? 21-year-old Jack Hunt came from a good background. Dad was a prosperous Farmer and businessman in Monroe County.

Jack was the youngest of several brothers and sisters. Growing up, he had been allowed to do as he pleased most of his life, leading to becoming wild and reckless.  Having his way most of the time, well-off and good-looking. , As he got older, He spent a lot of time drinking and carousing. He was known as a troublemaker. Then he met the farmer’s daughter.


Feb 18, 202434:05
Her headstone reads "MARY MAGDALENE PITTS”, “Cruelly Murdered”.

Her headstone reads "MARY MAGDALENE PITTS”, “Cruelly Murdered”.

Her headstone reads "MARY MAGDALENE PITTS”, “Cruelly Murdered”.

Episode 10-16. Was he the worst dad in history? Listen and decide.



Feb 04, 202438:51
The 1913 Murdering Man of the Cloth

The 1913 Murdering Man of the Cloth

The 1913 Murdering Man of the Cloth

Episode 10-15

A shade of blue story about a man of the cloth: by his very position, a man who is supposed to radiate trust and reliability. The tale resembles a horror movie script more than a historical chapter of actual events. Unfortunately, it's true. 


Jan 21, 202436:25
1903 payroll robbery and murder by IED

1903 payroll robbery and murder by IED

1903 payroll robbery and murder by IED

Episode 10-14

This shade of blue story is one of my favorite types. A detective Story. This one is about Detective Thomas A. McQuaide. Pittsburg Pennsylvania Chief of Detectives 1903. It's a story that would probably make a good movie, except you can't get John Wayne today to play Detective McQuade. John Wayne would have done the Superintendent justice by playing him in a film. Listen to the story and see what you think.








Dec 31, 202336:05
Cars and Crimes

Cars and Crimes

Cars and Crimes

Episodes 10-13

When committing a crime, the perpetrator doesn't usually want to wait for the good guys to ride up. He or she wants to get ghost as quickly as possible.  This is Today's topic for our collection of shade-of-blue stories: criminals and the cars and vehicles involved with them.

Dec 17, 202341:21
1936 and 1950 Family Murders

1936 and 1950 Family Murders

1936 and 1950 Family Murders

Episodes 10-12

A small southern town in the 1950s, a hot August day. A local man brought violence to a Walhalla, South Carolina family. The man Destroying half of a family. Asheville 1936, a family dispute on the street ends in death. What were the outcomes of these two incident? Listen and discover.

Dec 03, 202326:08
Thanksgiving Holiday Crimes

Thanksgiving Holiday Crimes

Thanksgiving Holiday Crimes

A look at a few crimes that occurred on the day of Giving Thanks.

Robbery, Murders and Assaults.

Nov 19, 202327:13
The N.Y. Car Hook Murder

The N.Y. Car Hook Murder

The N.Y. Car Hook Murder

episode 10-10

In New York City, a murder overwhelms the city’s attention and establishes fear, outrage, and discussion about the randomness of urban crime and its punishment. The “Car-Hook Tragedy” of 1871 was one of those murders.


Nov 04, 202326:07
England’s Doctor Death

England’s Doctor Death

England’s Doctor Death

Episodes 10-9. There's something especially frightening about a doctor who murders his patients. Someone who spends years learning how to heal and save lives. Then, he starts to kill the people he is supposed to help. It messes with our perception of good guys and bad guys. This is a shade of blue story about England’s Doctor Death. He was the only British Doctor to date convicted of murdering his patients.

Oct 21, 202332:41
The 1903 Concert Mass shooting

The 1903 Concert Mass shooting

The 1903 Concert Mass shooting Episode 10-8

August 13, 1903, Gilbert Twigg opened fire during a concert in Winfield, Kansas, killing nine and injuring dozens. There was no motive, and no one had seen anything like it before or for decades after. Yet it's the archetype for the tragedies we frequently see now.

Oct 07, 202328:20
Was he a Murdering Methodist Minister?

Was he a Murdering Methodist Minister?

Was he a Murdering Methodist Minister?

Episodes 10-7

On a cold winter morning, December 21, 1832, A farmer made a horrifying discovery on his father's Tiverton, Rhode Island Farm. Hanging by the neck from a cord lashed to a five-foot haystack post used to dry hay was the frozen body of 30-year-old Sarah Cornell. Was it suicide or Murder? What did her letters say? What did her Minister say? Listen to discover what happened.


Sep 23, 202330:28
The Mad Bomber of Mayberry

The Mad Bomber of Mayberry

The Mad Bomber of Mayberry

Episode 10-6

Mount Airy, the model for the mythical town of Mayberry, maybe a location where you would not expect to find a bombing attack and a Shade of Blue Story, But the small southern town has had not one but two separate bombings. Both incidents were years apart and stemmed from broken hearts.   Listen to two tales of Lovelorn bombers.

Sep 09, 202331:36
The Devil made me do it.

The Devil made me do it.

The Devil made me do it.

Episode 10-5. The 1887 Bank Robbery, Murder, fleeing to another country. Did he do it? He said he did. Why did he do it? Was it a deal with the devil, made 11 years previously? Or was it just insanity? Listen and decide for yourself.

Aug 26, 202327:42
1886 Memphis Murder, or was it justified?

1886 Memphis Murder, or was it justified?

1886 Memphis Murder, or was it justified?

Episode 10-4. In police work, unusual is usually the norm. Take the day in 1886 when a man ran into the Memphis, TN, Police station, telling Police Captain Hackett. "I have just killed a man and want to give myself up." Listen and discover what happened. Truth or lie. You decide.

On line 8-12-2023 @ 7 pm

Aug 12, 202325:30
MoonShine 101.

MoonShine 101.

Moonshine 101.

Episode 10-3.

Moonshine earned its name because it was often produced in the moonlit shroud of night to avoid detection by law enforcement. “Nearly everyone” then made whiskey, brandy, and beer. Most were produced for personal use. However, some made a serious business of it. The story of moonshining is closely tied to American history.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/MoonShine-101-e24tpnb

Jul 29, 202331:22
1871 Murder of the Silas Weston Family

1871 Murder of the Silas Weston Family

1871 Murder of the Silas Weston Family

Episode 10-3

Murder or Lynching.? Who escaped and how? The entitled suspects were caught, but one escaped which caused a legacy of lies to grow with the assistance of a local writer for a New York City News Paper years later. What is the truth? Listen and decide for yourself.

Jul 15, 202348:12
1869 murder of a Congressman

1869 murder of a Congressman

The 1869 murder of a Congressman. Since the United States Congress was established in 1789, fifteen members have been killed while in office, and fourteen have suffered severe injuries from attacks. The felon files look at some of those incidents, including the story of the 1869 murder of The Honorable Cornelius S. Hamilton. Hamilton was murdered, his killer known, but no charges were ever filed. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/1869-murder-of-a-congressman-e247epv


Jul 01, 202327:33
Did the S.C. Lt. Governor get away with murder?

Did the S.C. Lt. Governor get away with murder?

9-25. Did the Lt. Governor get away with murder? In the middle of the day, the S.C. Lt. Gov. shot and killed his loudest opponent on a capital street. He had just lost the election for Governor. Was it murder or self-defense?

Jun 17, 202331:10
9-24. Criminal or Hero? What's your perspective?

9-24. Criminal or Hero? What's your perspective?

9-24. Criminal or Hero? What's your perspective?

1860s USA. Brother against brother. Neighbor against neighbor. It's hard to tell who is the hero vs. the criminal. As the old saying goes, "You can't tell the good guys from the bad guys without a program." And that depends on who wrote the program—the Story of Keith Blalock and his Family.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/felonfile/episodes/9-24--Criminal-or-Hero--Whats-your-perspective-e241td8

Jun 03, 202336:36
9-23. The Strange Florida Murder of 1865
May 27, 202323:17
9-22 The 1876 Murdering wife of Georgia

9-22 The 1876 Murdering wife of Georgia

9-22 The murdering wife of Georgia 1876

Robert Southern was the most eligible bachelor in Pickens County, Georgia. He probably wasn't the most suitable, but the media of the day said he was. Described as tall and handsome, from a locally prominent family, known to be a little wild and reckless occasionally. He had been dating two local girls and married one. Listen to the felon file to find out how that went.

felonfile.com

May 13, 202325:46
9-21. The 1894 Sixteen-Year-Old Murderess

9-21. The 1894 Sixteen-Year-Old Murderess

9-21. The 1894 Sixteen-Year-Old Murderess

Was it Love, honor, or, as one Newspaper said, "she was just a Holy Terror."

Apr 29, 202332:16
9-20. A Presidential arrest. (& No, it's not what you think)
Apr 08, 202327:16
Bonus Dept of Justice release info 2

Bonus Dept of Justice release info 2

Bonus Dept of Justice release info

Apr 06, 202307:44
9-19. 1927 Goldsboro NC Murder of a 15-year-old girl.

9-19. 1927 Goldsboro NC Murder of a 15-year-old girl.

9-19. 1927 Goldsboro NC Murder of a 15-year-old girl. The body of a 15-year-old girl was found by her father one evening, Thursday, 8 December 1927, lying beside a path, thirty-five or forty yards from his home in Wayne County, N.C. Who did it and why. Were they caught and punished? Listen to discover.

on line 4-1-23 @ 7pm. (EST)


Apr 01, 202322:50
Bonus 9-30-23. Assistant U.S. Attorney GUILTY!

Bonus 9-30-23. Assistant U.S. Attorney GUILTY!

Bonus 9-30-23. Assistant U.S. Attorney GUILTY! A felon file bonus. Info from the Department of Justice

On  Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pleads Guilty to Conflict-of-Interest Violation

Mar 30, 202303:32
9-18. Did Man make the whisky? Or did whiskey make the man?

9-18. Did Man make the whisky? Or did whiskey make the man?

9-18. Did Man make the whisky? Or did whiskey make the man? 

Mar 25, 202329:11
9-17. Missing? Murdered? or Runaway? Mob Justice? Who is the victim?

9-17. Missing? Murdered? or Runaway? Mob Justice? Who is the victim?

9-17. Missing? Murdered? or Runaway? Mob Justice?  Who is the victim?

1887, Hung by Mob Justice? Lynched from a walnut tree in the schoolyard near Delphi, Indiana. A Missing girlfriend. A body was found. Was it her? Or did She just run away? Who was the real victim? Listen and decide.

Felonfile.com

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-17--Missing--Murdered--or-Runaway--Mob-Justice--Who-is-the-victim-e1vrtrf

Mar 18, 202328:40
9-16. The Pollard Murder, a fair trial or "Judicial Murder"

9-16. The Pollard Murder, a fair trial or "Judicial Murder"

9-16. The Pollard Murder, a fair trial or "Judicial Murder."

One Murder. Four Defendants. No legal defense lawyers. Was it a fair Trail? Was the right man hung? Did someone get away with murder? Listen and decide.

Mar 12, 202329:21
9-15. Firsts in N.C. Law enforcement History

9-15. Firsts in N.C. Law enforcement History

9-15. Firsts in N.C. Law enforcement History

History can be made anywhere and anytime. Here are two Shade of Blue Stories of firsts in North Carolina History and perhaps in the United States.


Mar 05, 202321:07
9-14. The Forest City Incident.

9-14. The Forest City Incident.

9-14. The Forest City Incident. 

Race and class hatred seethed beneath the surface of early twentieth-century North Carolina. Here and there, it erupted to the surface, like in the events in Forest City, North Carolina, in 1900. Sometimes even under lock and key, Evil happens.

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-14--The-Forest-City-Incident-e1uniac

Feb 26, 202328:31
9-13. The 1845 weeklong marriage and murder.

9-13. The 1845 weeklong marriage and murder.

9-13. The 1845 weeklong marriage and murder.

How far would you go to fix something or make another happy? What do you do when mom doesn't like the new Bride? A shade of blue story on how one man tried to fix things.  What was the outcome? Listen to find out.


https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-13--The-1845-weeklong-marriage-and-murder-e1uccvr

Feb 19, 202332:18
9-12. 400 Versions One True Story

9-12. 400 Versions One True Story

9-12. 400 Versions, One True Story

Did Stag a Lee kill over a Stetson Hat? A story of murder with over 400  Versions but  only One True Story

Living forever in a song.

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-12--400-Versions-One-True-Story-e1u57qf

Feb 12, 202332:49
9-11. The 1890s missing peddler.

9-11. The 1890s missing peddler.

9-11. The 1890s missing peddler. 

Samuel Tucker made his living as a peddler in the early 1890s in Franklin County, North Carolina. Needing a place to spend the night, he arranged to rent a room from two sisters overnight. Though recommended by one of his customers, Samuel Tucker was never seen alive again. What became of Samuel? What was the fallout of his disappearance? Listen to discover.

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-11--The-1890s-missing-peddler-e1ttr5u

Feb 05, 202329:25
9-10. Don't Mess with the Postmistress & Is making a joyful noise illegal?

9-10. Don't Mess with the Postmistress & Is making a joyful noise illegal?

9-10. Don't Mess with the Postmistress, and Is making a joyful noise illegal?

The first lady Postmaster in the United  States and her court cases.  Story two, is singing off-key illegal?  The case heard by the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the ruling.  

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-10--Dont-Mess-with-the-Postmistress--Is-making-a-joyful-noise-illegal-e1tkmpp

Jan 29, 202320:50
9-9. Law Order and Waffles

9-9. Law Order and Waffles

9-9. Law Order and Waffles

In the criminal justice system, fast food-based offenses are considered especially heinous.

In the south, the dedicated detectives investigating these vicious crimes are members of an elite group known as the Waffle House Unit. These are their stories. BONUS: Learn to speak Waffel House!

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-9--Law-Order-and-Waffles-e1tkoer

Jan 22, 202330:52
9-8. Escaped Killer or Hero US Marshall.

9-8. Escaped Killer or Hero US Marshall.

9-8.  Escaped Killer or Hero US Marshall.

What happened to the two fugitives from the 1889 Buncombe County “Bastille” jail breakout? Where did they go? Where did they hide? You will be surprised. Listen and find out. Online at 7:00 pm 1-14-23. Found on many Podcast platforms.

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-8--Escaped-Killer-or-Hero-US-Marshall-e1tf46o

Jan 15, 202318:52
 The Buncombe Bastille Breakout

The Buncombe Bastille Breakout

The Buncombe Bastille Breakout

episode 9-7

Jail facilities and the ways of incarcerating people have steadily changed over the years in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Western North Carolina is no exception. From stocks in the town square of Asheville (“Morristown”) To more modern facilities that were, at the time, the best that money could build.

The Buncombe co. In its many constructions, Jail has, at times, been full of criminals, both State and federal, some of whom were men of means and Influence. Men who could afford outside help to make their escape. Or at least make it a matter of more than a mere possibility.

This shade of blue story is about a forgotten 1886 escape from one of the previous jails in Buncombe County.

Jan 08, 202338:49
9-6. The man who fell from the sky

9-6. The man who fell from the sky

9-6. The man who fell from the sky

Seven o’clock in the morning of September 11, 1985, Fred looked out the window of his Knoxville, Tn. home and saw something strange in his driveway.

Instead of finishing making his coffee, Fred went out to investigate. What Fred found would affect law enforcement locally and nationally for years—pointing at individuals in the DEA, CIA, the Governor’s Office, and possibly the White House.

Felonfile.com Online 12-31-22 @ 7:00 pm est on many podcast platforms.

Dec 31, 202229:44
9-5. Was it true Santa made the Naughty list?

9-5. Was it true Santa made the Naughty list?

December 1927. Santa, followed by a group of local children, walked to the First National Bank of Texas. He entered the bank, leaving the children outside, accompanied by three large Elves. Greetings of “hello Santa” met with a shouting Santa telling everyone to “grab some sky” in a less than jolly tone.

This started shootings, manhunts, car chases, and injuries. A total of eight were wounded. Including Santa and his stealing elves, six men would end up dead.

Finding themselves on the ultimate Naughty or Nice list. Was a Chris Kringle lynching due?  Listen to find out.

A requested story for the season.

Felonfile.com 


Dec 25, 202232:49
9-4 King of the Mountain or Insane Killer?
Dec 18, 202223:36
9- 3. The lady in the Georgia Creek
Dec 12, 202220:48
9-B-2. Arrest of "Bad Idea Brad"

9-B-2. Arrest of "Bad Idea Brad"

9-B-2.  The Arrest of "Bad Idea Brad".  Florida man chooses the wrong place and time to commit a Christmas Larceny.

On line 12-10-2022 @ 7 pm. 

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-B-2--Arrest-of-Bad-Idea-Brad-e1rphn7

Dec 11, 202209:26
9-Bonus-A- Another Special Hell

9-Bonus-A- Another Special Hell

9-Bonus-A- Another Special Hell

A Bonus short episode of Felon File.  A shade of Blue story about another candidate for that "Special Place in Hell."

Felonfile.com

https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/9-Bonus-A--Another-Special-Hell-e1ro0jo


Dec 07, 202210:01
9-2 Love and Law.

9-2 Love and Law.

9-2 Love and Law. 

December 31, 1874, Charles asked Dora to leave her husband, she refused, and he shot her dead. The prosecution for the murder lasted eight years. Six trials and a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Dec 04, 202223:04
9-1. The Great Asheville & Missouri Simian Hunt

9-1. The Great Asheville & Missouri Simian Hunt

9-1. The Great Asheville & Missouri Simian Hunt 

A local radio personality puts Scott on the hunt for the truth on the Asheville N.C. monkey history.  A tourist town that welcomes anybody and anything?

on line 11-26-2022 at 7 pm East Coast Time

Nov 27, 202228:15
8-26. A relative Murder

8-26. A relative Murder

8-26. A relative Murder


https://anchor.fm/felonfile/episodes/8-26--A-relative-Murder-e1pn9h6

Nov 20, 202234:42
more on the Sheriff called Jessie James

more on the Sheriff called Jessie James

More on the Sheriff called Jessie James
Nov 12, 202220:05