Chasing The Devil - Franklin, Louisiana
Summary
Hosts James Petrigallo and Jimmy Wittsman recount the 2001 murder of Kimberly Zimmerman in Franklin, Louisiana, caused by her ex-lover Donald Leager. The episode details Leager’s violent history and his obsessive harassment of Kimberly after she rejected his advances and pregnancy test results. The story culminates in a cold-blooded killing, a high-speed chase, and a miraculous survivor, all set against the backdrop of the small town’s local culture and history.
Topics discussed
Intro: Who Killed Angel Harris podcast promo
Live show tickets and tour dates
Discussion on horror movies
Show intro and audience hype
Franklin, Louisiana history and atmosphere
Reviewing Franklin: dry, unfun, and cheap housing
Local demographics and religion in St. Mary Parish
House tour and local black bear festival
Festival lineup and local music scene
Background on Kimberly and Donald's relationship
Discussion on burnout and mental health
Sponsor: Whatnot.com and finding deals
Donald's criminal history and the breakup
The gun purchase and the pregnancy test
The kidnapping and the van chase
Tangent: Regis Philbin and game shows
The shooting of Evelyn and Troy
Kimberly escapes the van
Sponsor: Dog food for the holidays
Sponsor: Zazzle custom gifts
Evelyn hears the screaming and confronts Donald
The aftermath and Troy's death
Donald's threat and the police chase
Police pursuit and Donald's arrest
Donald's rant during interrogation
Legal issues: Miranda rights and waivers
Tangent: Shooting Nutria in Louisiana
Kimberly's physical injuries and surgeries
Evidence disputes: the windbreaker jacket
Donald's suicide attempt in the interview room
Suicide watch and continued interrogation
Video evidence of rights acknowledgment
Donald's desire to die during questioning
Lack of waiver form and unresponsive interview
Termination of interview and Miranda issues
Request for a lawyer and court-appointed counsel
Captain Broussard's discovery of Donald in cell
Sponsor: HomeServe home warranty
Inaudible audio recordings and police incompetence
Donald's account of the pregnancy test and tie wraps
Donald's version of the van escape
Discarding evidence and final arrest
Donald's initial refusal to talk
Tangent: Lighting and shadows
Donald's confession to kidnapping and shootings
Invocation of right to counsel and phone call
Donald's statement to his brother
Plea deals and the messy legal process
Kimberly's testimony on fear and drugs
Conflict with defense attorney Colworth
Request for new counsel and communication issues
Judge's ruling on self-representation
Donald's desire to cross-examine Kimberly
Motivation to confront ex-partner under oath
Defense argument: suggestive photo array
Coercive questioning and duress arguments
Timeline of interrogation and recording gaps
Involuntary confession due to emotional state
Trial defense: missing weapon and residue tests
Defense claim: gun was Kimberly's
Witness testimony on clothing and chase
Phone call privacy and speakerphone issues
State rests and defense accusation of intimidation
Ballistics evidence and the 9mm Beretta
State's case: victim impact statements
Troy's family and the children's grief
Zeb's testimony and Troy's mother's statement
Donald's background: abusive father and army
Prison ministers and Donald's faith
Potential for redemption and community service
Evelyn's public thank you note
Evelyn's perspective on the verdict
Victim advocate's statement on Evelyn
Appellate court: right to remain silent violation
Taint analysis and time delay between statements
Third statement and lack of new Miranda warnings
Functional equivalent of questioning and phone call
Juror bias and the cookie jar comment
Confused juror on death penalty question
Defense argument: act of passion
Lawsuit: Catholic practice in prison
ACLU and religious rights on death row
Outro: Franklin recap and social media
Listener shoutouts and corrections
Patron names and credits
More patron names and credits
Final thanks and sign-off
Sponsor: 4imprint corporate gifts
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