The Pact
Summary
This episode details the 43-year investigation into the 1969 murder of 15-year-old John McCabe in Massachusetts. After decades of stalled progress, a witness revealed that John was killed by three teens over a jealous dispute, leading to the 2011 confession of accomplice Edward Brown. The narrative covers the intense 2013 trials, where Brown’s testimony resulted in the acquittal of Michael Ferreira but the conviction of Walter Shelley for first-degree murder. The story concludes with the emotional aftermath for the McCabe family, including the death of John’s father shortly after the verdicts.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The unsolved 1969 murder of John McCabe
John's last day and the Knights of Columbus dance
Discovery of the body and Bill McCabe's grief
The unsolved case and Richard Schlesinger's confession
Bill McCabe testifies and memories of John
Evelyn McCabe's memories and hearing the police
Initial investigation: Evidence and the Chevy Impala
Questioning Ferreira and Shelley; early leads dry up
Bill's persistence and Evelyn's struggle with guilt
Jack Ward's tip: The motive involving Marla Shiner
Police revisit Ferreira in 2003; case stalls again
New DA Jerry Leone and the emergence of Edward Brown
Detective Coughlin's breakthrough and Brown's confession
Indictments and the start of the 2013 trial
Edward Brown's testimony on the night of the murder
Defense challenges Brown's credibility and motive
Cross-examination and other suspects (Santos, Morley)
Marla Shiner's testimony contradicts the motive
Ferreira acquitted; Bill McCabe dies of stress
Juror reflections and decision to try Walter Shelley
Walter Shelley trial and guilty verdict
Conclusion: Shelley's sentence and Evelyn's death
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