April 26, 2025 • 12 mins
Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert
Here's some of our top stories this week:
A wife and mother shocks a courtroom blaming her adult son for the death of her husband and his father.
A big ruling ahead of Bryan Kohberger's trial
A Florida teen accused of spiking mom's drink with bleach.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Art hourly update, breaking crime news Now.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Jackie Howard. Prominent commercial real estate attorney. Gary Ferris's
remains were found on a burn pile a bullet lodged
in a rib bone. The discovery on the family's ten
acre Cherokee County, Georgia property is where Ferris lived with
his wife, Melody, and son Scott. As the investigation progressed,
a second bullet is found in their homes basement. So
(00:25):
how did the body end up in the burn pile
fifty yards away? As police put that question to family members,
they began pointing fingers at each other. Scott Ferris ran
the farm's day to day operation, his work and personal
expenses covered by his father.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Mom.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Melody says Scott was being pushed by his father to
get another job. Scott Ferris denies the allegations, saying tension
in the family is caused by Melody disappearing for weeks
at a time and spending Gary Ferris's money. Investigators discover
Melody is having an affair and her lover lives in Tennessee.
After investigating for nearly a year, Melody Ferris is arrested
(01:05):
for the murder of Gary Ferris at twyal. Melody's defense
claims Scott, at about six feet eight inches tall two
hundred and eighty pounds, is more capable of moving gary
six foot four inch three hundred pound body than she was.
But police and prosecutors believe Melody Ferris is the killer.
She was the only one home at the time police
(01:25):
believed Gary Ferris was killed. Then at trial, prosecutors called
a witness, an analyst from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Intelligence
Division who analyzed phone records discovering Gary Ferris's cell phone
moved from the house to the burn pile and back
to the house after investigators believed the body was already
(01:46):
on the burn pile. Melody Ferris was the only one
home then as well. Also at trial, prosecutors call Roy
Rusty Barron, Junior, Melody's lover. He testifies to a phone
call with Melody.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
You told them that the defendant, probably the last minute
of the last conversation, she said Gary is in the
burn pile. No, she said he is in the burn pile.
And I said what, And she said he's in the
(02:21):
burn pile. And I said, do not say another word,
and do not tell me anything.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I do not need to note.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Those were your words to law enforcement in July the
twenty fourth of twenty eighteen.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Is that true?
Speaker 5 (02:37):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Melody Ferris has found guilty of murdering her husband. At
her sentencing, Melody maintained her innocence, then shocked the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Not only did adopt this?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (02:50):
Did I know Scott killed his father?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Melody Ferris tells forty eight hours that she saw Scott
Ferris near the burn pile the day before Gary Ferris's
body was discovered. She says she believes Scott Ferris used
his pickup truck to move the body, then planted the
bullet found in the basement to frame her and the motive,
she says, is the farm Scott wanted it. Scott Ferris
(03:16):
denies all allegations. Melody Ferris is sentenced to life in prison,
with the possibility of parole after thirty years. More crime
and justice nears after this.
Speaker 6 (03:29):
I'm Nicole pardon.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
On Thursday, a judge determined that prosecutors are permitted to
seek the death penalty for Brian Colberger if he has
found guilty of the twenty two murders for University of
Idaho students despite his recent diagnosis of autism.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Coburger, thirty, faces charges.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
In connection with the stabbing debts of Ethan Chapin, Zana Kernudle,
Madison Mogan, and Kaylee Conglaves at a rental property in
Idaho on November thirteenth, twenty twenty two. Prosecutors have indicated
their intention to pursue the death penalty should Colberger be
convicted during his trial, which is scheduled for August. However,
(04:07):
Colberger's defense team urged Judge Stephen Hipler to dismiss the
death penalty as a potential sentence, referencing his autism spectrum disorder.
They have also submitted various motions contesting the death penalty,
including claims of the state's failure to properly provide evidence
in court documents, the defense argued, quote mister Colberger's autism
(04:30):
spectrum disorder disminishes his culpability, it undermines the intented effects
of capital punishment, and puts him at an unjust risk
of wrongful conviction and execution. They claim that executing an
individual with autism would violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against
cruel and unjust punishment. Prosecutors, however, countered that according to
(04:54):
the U. S. Supreme Court rulings, the only mental condition
that disqualifies a person facing death penalty is an intellectual disability.
They noted that Coburger's autism was classified as mild and
did not include any intellectual impairments. The judge sided with
the prosecution, stating quote, the defendant has not established that
(05:16):
ASD is comparable to an intellectual disability for the purposes
of death penalty exemption, nor has he demonstrated a national
consensus against executing individuals with ASD. He acknowledged that while
Colberger's autism could be considered a mitigating factor in weighing
the aggravated circumstances for a death sentence, it does not
(05:37):
disqualify him from facing capital punishment. Here's Nancy Grace weighing
in on the topic, speaking to Megan Kelly.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Now, the judge has ruled that they may not bring
in evidence of alleged autism on Coburger's behalf and the
case in chief regarding autism, The defense wanted to bring
in their theory that he has autism, although apparently none
(06:06):
of the defense experts have stated thus far that he
is autistic or under the spectrum. None of them have
said that. They said they wanted to bring it in
as you surmised because of his odd behavior. What odd behavior,
the judge says, I don't see any odd behavior. He
(06:28):
just sits there, so therefore that's irrelevant. If it becomes relevant,
then I will review your motion again if you choose
to renew it. But as of right now, the only
way it would be relevant is if they noted quirky
or odd behavior when he takes a stand.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Following his arrest, Coburger was evaluated by a clinical neuropsychologist,
doctor Rachel Orr, who diagnosed him with autism spectrum disorder
level one without accompanying intellectual or language impairment.
Speaker 6 (07:01):
In a separate ruling on the same day.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
The judge allowed that jurors would likely hear much of
the nine to one one call made by two surviving
roommates approximately eight hours after the murders, as they discovered
one of their housemates was unresponsive. However, statements from an
unidentified woman during the call, who conveyed information she has
not personally witnessed, would be excluded from the trial.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
According to the judge, Jurors will.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
Also have access to text messages sent by the two
surviving roommates around the time of the attack after four am,
when one reported seeing a mask individual in the residence,
contingent on the prosecution establishing a proper foundation for the
evidence's admission.
Speaker 6 (07:45):
Crime Alert hourly update will keep you posted as this
trial unfold.
Speaker 7 (07:52):
I'm Drew Nelson. A shoplifting arrest in Minnesota prevents a
possible mass shooting plan for the next day. Mohammed Adan Muhammad,
age twenty four, was arrested a week ago Thursday in
Mankato after he stole items from a sporting goods store.
Mohammad was wearing a medical mask, gloves, a winter jacket,
and a green cap. He grabbed body armor, bear spray,
(08:12):
and magazines for a nine millimeter firearm, totaling over two
one hundred and fifty dollars. Employees became suspicious when he
took expensive items without checking the prices. Mohammad told shoppers
he had an ar style rifle quote calibrated to nine millimeter.
Then he ran from the store. Security tried to stop him,
but Muhammad got into a Toyota Siena and sped off.
(08:34):
He nearly ran over a bystander during his escape. Police
found a list Mohammad left behind. The list labeled survival
gear list with alternative It listed sleeping bags, knives, bows
and arrows, lighters, pepper spray, and eight firearm magazines. Investigators
believed Mohammed was planning a mass shooting within twenty four hours.
An officer remembered Muhammad from a previous social media investigation.
(08:58):
Saint Peter Police Chief Macrochow tells WCCO he met with
Mohammed personally.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
It was cordial. He was an aggressive towards law enforcement.
He was appropriate with us. We left with an understanding
that at that moment he was safe. In that moment,
the community was safe.
Speaker 7 (09:15):
Mohammed had posted pictures of himself aiming a rifle at
the camera. The hashtag on his posts was death to
American and Israeli imperialism all one word. Police search Mohammed's
home in Saint Peter, Minnesota, finding the rifle he showed online,
two three D printed guns, and they arrested him without incident.
The neighborhood is shocked beyond belief, says one neighbor by
(09:36):
the name of Dunia.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
He has a very beautiful heart. He's a really good guy.
Speaker 7 (09:40):
Is just he's not mentally physically there right now at
the moment we start seeing Mohammed just start talking to himself,
not socializing with us, with the kids. A judge said
bail at half a million. Mohammed remains in custody, charged
with felony, theft and violent threats. He is banned from
owning guns for one year. He will appear in court
again in May.
Speaker 8 (10:01):
I'm Jennifer Gould. A seemingly ordinary glass of milk turned
into a potential death sentence for a seventy seven year
old Florida woman, allegedly at the hands of her own
teenage son. According to an arrest affidavit, the elderly woman
poured herself the drink, only to be met with an
alarming chemical smell and called.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
Nine to one one.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
When police arrived at the family's Deltona home, the victim's
immediate and shocking accusation was captured on bodycam. Take a listen.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
He put the clorox in the milk.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
I think I just had a little bitter because I
tasted it. The he, police alleged, was her own son,
Eduardo Espiinal Raghwan. The seventeen year old was reportedly found
by authorities quote hiding in the room with a dog
end quote Amidst the aftermath, the elderly mom was swiftly
taken to the hospital for evaluation, and disturbing details soon emerged,
(10:58):
suggesting this was an isolated incident. Either authorities alleged a
troubling history of battering of the victim by the teen.
The affidavit says the mom's the only milk drinker too
in the house, making her the obvious target. Cops on
the scene even sniffed the milk and confirmed it reeked
a bleach. Espinal Ramgowan allegedly admitted to taking the bleach
(11:22):
from the laundry room pouring it into the milk container,
knowing it could harm someone. He reportedly told police he
was angry at the victim and wanted to make her
sick because he no longer wanted to live in the home.
Adding to the suspicion, the victim herself reportedly told police
she suspected her son due to escalating quote unquote recent conflicts.
(11:44):
The teen now faces a battery of charges, including poisoning
by food or water, attempted felony murder and aggravated abuse
of an elderly person. The investigation continues. For the latest
crime and justice news, follow the crimel hourly update on
your favorite podcast app with this crime alert. I'm Jennifer Gould.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
How could a beautiful, young first grade teacher be stabbed
twenty times, including in the back, allegedly die of suicide? Yes,
that was the medical examiner's official ruling after a closed
door meeting. He first named it a homicide. Why what
Happened to Ellen Greenberg? A huge American miscarriage of justice.
(12:32):
For an in depth look at the facts, see What
Happened to Ellen on Amazon. All proceeds to the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Crime Art hourly update, breaking crime news Now.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
I'm Jackie Howard. Prominent commercial real estate attorney. Gary Ferris's
remains were found on a burn pile a bullet lodged
in a rib bone. The discovery on the family's ten
acre Cherokee County, Georgia property is where Ferris lived with
his wife, Melody, and son Scott. As the investigation progressed,
a second bullet is found in their homes basement. So
(00:25):
how did the body end up in the burn pile
fifty yards away? As police put that question to family members,
they began pointing fingers at each other. Scott Ferris ran
the farm's day to day operation, his work and personal
expenses covered by his father.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Mom.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Melody says Scott was being pushed by his father to
get another job. Scott Ferris denies the allegations, saying tension
in the family is caused by Melody disappearing for weeks
at a time and spending Gary Ferris's money. Investigators discover
Melody is having an affair and her lover lives in Tennessee.
After investigating for nearly a year, Melody Ferris is arrested
(01:05):
for the murder of Gary Ferris at twyal. Melody's defense
claims Scott, at about six feet eight inches tall two
hundred and eighty pounds, is more capable of moving gary
six foot four inch three hundred pound body than she was.
But police and prosecutors believe Melody Ferris is the killer.
She was the only one home at the time police
(01:25):
believed Gary Ferris was killed. Then at trial, prosecutors called
a witness, an analyst from Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Intelligence
Division who analyzed phone records discovering Gary Ferris's cell phone
moved from the house to the burn pile and back
to the house after investigators believed the body was already
(01:46):
on the burn pile. Melody Ferris was the only one
home then as well. Also at trial, prosecutors call Roy
Rusty Barron, Junior, Melody's lover. He testifies to a phone
call with Melody.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
You told them that the defendant, probably the last minute
of the last conversation, she said Gary is in the
burn pile. No, she said he is in the burn pile.
And I said what, And she said he's in the
(02:21):
burn pile. And I said, do not say another word,
and do not tell me anything.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I do not need to note.
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Those were your words to law enforcement in July the
twenty fourth of twenty eighteen.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Is that true?
Speaker 5 (02:37):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Melody Ferris has found guilty of murdering her husband. At
her sentencing, Melody maintained her innocence, then shocked the courtroom.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
Not only did adopt this?
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (02:50):
Did I know Scott killed his father?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Melody Ferris tells forty eight hours that she saw Scott
Ferris near the burn pile the day before Gary Ferris's
body was discovered. She says she believes Scott Ferris used
his pickup truck to move the body, then planted the
bullet found in the basement to frame her and the motive,
she says, is the farm Scott wanted it. Scott Ferris
(03:16):
denies all allegations. Melody Ferris is sentenced to life in prison,
with the possibility of parole after thirty years. More crime
and justice nears after this.
Speaker 6 (03:29):
I'm Nicole pardon.
Speaker 5 (03:30):
On Thursday, a judge determined that prosecutors are permitted to
seek the death penalty for Brian Colberger if he has
found guilty of the twenty two murders for University of
Idaho students despite his recent diagnosis of autism.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Coburger, thirty, faces charges.
Speaker 5 (03:47):
In connection with the stabbing debts of Ethan Chapin, Zana Kernudle,
Madison Mogan, and Kaylee Conglaves at a rental property in
Idaho on November thirteenth, twenty twenty two. Prosecutors have indicated
their intention to pursue the death penalty should Colberger be
convicted during his trial, which is scheduled for August. However,
(04:07):
Colberger's defense team urged Judge Stephen Hipler to dismiss the
death penalty as a potential sentence, referencing his autism spectrum disorder.
They have also submitted various motions contesting the death penalty,
including claims of the state's failure to properly provide evidence
in court documents, the defense argued, quote mister Colberger's autism
(04:30):
spectrum disorder disminishes his culpability, it undermines the intented effects
of capital punishment, and puts him at an unjust risk
of wrongful conviction and execution. They claim that executing an
individual with autism would violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against
cruel and unjust punishment. Prosecutors, however, countered that according to
(04:54):
the U. S. Supreme Court rulings, the only mental condition
that disqualifies a person facing death penalty is an intellectual disability.
They noted that Coburger's autism was classified as mild and
did not include any intellectual impairments. The judge sided with
the prosecution, stating quote, the defendant has not established that
(05:16):
ASD is comparable to an intellectual disability for the purposes
of death penalty exemption, nor has he demonstrated a national
consensus against executing individuals with ASD. He acknowledged that while
Colberger's autism could be considered a mitigating factor in weighing
the aggravated circumstances for a death sentence, it does not
(05:37):
disqualify him from facing capital punishment. Here's Nancy Grace weighing
in on the topic, speaking to Megan Kelly.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
Now, the judge has ruled that they may not bring
in evidence of alleged autism on Coburger's behalf and the
case in chief regarding autism, The defense wanted to bring
in their theory that he has autism, although apparently none
(06:06):
of the defense experts have stated thus far that he
is autistic or under the spectrum. None of them have
said that. They said they wanted to bring it in
as you surmised because of his odd behavior. What odd behavior,
the judge says, I don't see any odd behavior. He
(06:28):
just sits there, so therefore that's irrelevant. If it becomes relevant,
then I will review your motion again if you choose
to renew it. But as of right now, the only
way it would be relevant is if they noted quirky
or odd behavior when he takes a stand.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Following his arrest, Coburger was evaluated by a clinical neuropsychologist,
doctor Rachel Orr, who diagnosed him with autism spectrum disorder
level one without accompanying intellectual or language impairment.
Speaker 6 (07:01):
In a separate ruling on the same day.
Speaker 5 (07:03):
The judge allowed that jurors would likely hear much of
the nine to one one call made by two surviving
roommates approximately eight hours after the murders, as they discovered
one of their housemates was unresponsive. However, statements from an
unidentified woman during the call, who conveyed information she has
not personally witnessed, would be excluded from the trial.
Speaker 6 (07:26):
According to the judge, Jurors will.
Speaker 5 (07:28):
Also have access to text messages sent by the two
surviving roommates around the time of the attack after four am,
when one reported seeing a mask individual in the residence,
contingent on the prosecution establishing a proper foundation for the
evidence's admission.
Speaker 6 (07:45):
Crime Alert hourly update will keep you posted as this
trial unfold.
Speaker 7 (07:52):
I'm Drew Nelson. A shoplifting arrest in Minnesota prevents a
possible mass shooting plan for the next day. Mohammed Adan Muhammad,
age twenty four, was arrested a week ago Thursday in
Mankato after he stole items from a sporting goods store.
Mohammad was wearing a medical mask, gloves, a winter jacket,
and a green cap. He grabbed body armor, bear spray,
(08:12):
and magazines for a nine millimeter firearm, totaling over two
one hundred and fifty dollars. Employees became suspicious when he
took expensive items without checking the prices. Mohammad told shoppers
he had an ar style rifle quote calibrated to nine millimeter.
Then he ran from the store. Security tried to stop him,
but Muhammad got into a Toyota Siena and sped off.
(08:34):
He nearly ran over a bystander during his escape. Police
found a list Mohammad left behind. The list labeled survival
gear list with alternative It listed sleeping bags, knives, bows
and arrows, lighters, pepper spray, and eight firearm magazines. Investigators
believed Mohammed was planning a mass shooting within twenty four hours.
An officer remembered Muhammad from a previous social media investigation.
(08:58):
Saint Peter Police Chief Macrochow tells WCCO he met with
Mohammed personally.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
It was cordial. He was an aggressive towards law enforcement.
He was appropriate with us. We left with an understanding
that at that moment he was safe. In that moment,
the community was safe.
Speaker 7 (09:15):
Mohammed had posted pictures of himself aiming a rifle at
the camera. The hashtag on his posts was death to
American and Israeli imperialism all one word. Police search Mohammed's
home in Saint Peter, Minnesota, finding the rifle he showed online,
two three D printed guns, and they arrested him without incident.
The neighborhood is shocked beyond belief, says one neighbor by
(09:36):
the name of Dunia.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
He has a very beautiful heart. He's a really good guy.
Speaker 7 (09:40):
Is just he's not mentally physically there right now at
the moment we start seeing Mohammed just start talking to himself,
not socializing with us, with the kids. A judge said
bail at half a million. Mohammed remains in custody, charged
with felony, theft and violent threats. He is banned from
owning guns for one year. He will appear in court
again in May.
Speaker 8 (10:01):
I'm Jennifer Gould. A seemingly ordinary glass of milk turned
into a potential death sentence for a seventy seven year
old Florida woman, allegedly at the hands of her own
teenage son. According to an arrest affidavit, the elderly woman
poured herself the drink, only to be met with an
alarming chemical smell and called.
Speaker 6 (10:21):
Nine to one one.
Speaker 8 (10:22):
When police arrived at the family's Deltona home, the victim's
immediate and shocking accusation was captured on bodycam. Take a listen.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
He put the clorox in the milk.
Speaker 8 (10:35):
I think I just had a little bitter because I
tasted it. The he, police alleged, was her own son,
Eduardo Espiinal Raghwan. The seventeen year old was reportedly found
by authorities quote hiding in the room with a dog
end quote Amidst the aftermath, the elderly mom was swiftly
taken to the hospital for evaluation, and disturbing details soon emerged,
(10:58):
suggesting this was an isolated incident. Either authorities alleged a
troubling history of battering of the victim by the teen.
The affidavit says the mom's the only milk drinker too
in the house, making her the obvious target. Cops on
the scene even sniffed the milk and confirmed it reeked
a bleach. Espinal Ramgowan allegedly admitted to taking the bleach
(11:22):
from the laundry room pouring it into the milk container,
knowing it could harm someone. He reportedly told police he
was angry at the victim and wanted to make her
sick because he no longer wanted to live in the home.
Adding to the suspicion, the victim herself reportedly told police
she suspected her son due to escalating quote unquote recent conflicts.
(11:44):
The teen now faces a battery of charges, including poisoning
by food or water, attempted felony murder and aggravated abuse
of an elderly person. The investigation continues. For the latest
crime and justice news, follow the crimel hourly update on
your favorite podcast app with this crime alert. I'm Jennifer Gould.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
How could a beautiful, young first grade teacher be stabbed
twenty times, including in the back, allegedly die of suicide? Yes,
that was the medical examiner's official ruling after a closed
door meeting. He first named it a homicide. Why what
Happened to Ellen Greenberg? A huge American miscarriage of justice.
(12:32):
For an in depth look at the facts, see What
Happened to Ellen on Amazon. All proceeds to the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Host
Nancy Grace
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