Episode 231: Marcell Eads Jr.
The First Degree - A podcast by Alexis Linkletter, Jac Vanek, Billy Jensen
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On June 29, 2001, the badly beaten body of a 58 year old Native American man is pulled from his burning home in Wichita, Kansas. The victim has been robbed and left for dead before his attackers set the house ablaze. Within hours, police learn that an 18 year old man and a 16 year old teen may know something about the murder. As police talk to associates of the young men, and the victim’s own family, it becomes apparent that the perpetrators have committed a hate crime - they claim the victim, who was gay, made unwanted advances. When the evidence piles up against the offenders, it seems as though justice will be served. However, this is just the start of a long and painful road for the victim’s family. In episode 231, Jac and Alexis detail the heartbreaking murder of Marcell Eads Jr at the hands of Zachary Steward and his friend Brandon Boone.