Digest

This episode of Small Town Murder delves into the 1989 murder of Betty Lou Hales and her friend Rita Roundee in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The episode begins with a brief overview of Idaho Falls, highlighting its Mormon population, its history of nuclear testing, and its current demographics. The episode then focuses on the murder investigation, starting with the discovery of the bodies by Roy Levitt, a friend of Rita who was supposed to drive her to the airport. Levitt's 911 call is analyzed, revealing inconsistencies and a strange detail about a message written in blood that says "Satan loves you." The episode then delves into the backgrounds of the victims, Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee, and their families. Betty Lou's father, Joe Hales, is described as a skilled craftsman and a World War II veteran who enjoyed flipping houses. Rita Roundee's background is less detailed, but it is mentioned that she was a friend of Betty Lou's and that she was supposed to fly to Las Vegas on the day of the murder. The episode concludes with a discussion of the murder investigation and the potential suspects, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer. This chapter focuses on Bill Gray, Betty Lou's husband, and his controlling and manipulative behavior. The episode details how Bill controlled Betty's finances, her activities, and even her interactions with her family and friends. Bill's suspicious actions, including a fire that destroyed his worm farm, are discussed, leading to the conclusion that he may have been responsible for the fire to collect insurance money. The episode concludes with Bill's move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he opens a pawn shop, further highlighting his manipulative and potentially criminal nature. This chapter continues to explore the relationship between Bill Gray and Betty Lou Hales, highlighting Bill's controlling and abusive behavior. The episode details how Bill would yell at Betty for minor infractions, such as forgetting to put out the salt, and how he would demand that she refill his glass of milk. The episode also discusses Betty's reaction to Bill's behavior, as she would laugh it off and say that she was used to it. The episode then delves into Bill's health problems, as he was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1986 and had to undergo dialysis. The episode details the uncomfortable and time-consuming nature of the dialysis process, as Bill had to attach a bag of dialysis solution to a catheter in his stomach four times a day. The episode also discusses Bill's love of gambling and his extravagant spending habits, as he would often wear expensive jewelry and gamble in Las Vegas. The episode then introduces Rita Lorraine Randy, another victim in the case, and provides details about her life and relationships. Rita was a friend of Betty's and worked for Fanning Wholesale, the same company that Bill Gray did business with. The episode discusses Rita's relationship with Bill Gray, as she was initially friendly with him but disliked his behavior toward Betty. The episode also details Rita's relationship with Roy Levitt, who discovered the bodies of Betty and Rita. Roy and Rita began an affair, which was kept secret from Bill Gray. The episode concludes with a discussion of the murder investigation and the potential suspects, including Bill Gray, Roy Levitt, and Rita's ex-boyfriend, CJ Walker. The episode highlights the strange and suspicious circumstances surrounding the murders, including the message written in blood that says "Satan loves you" and the lack of physical evidence at the crime scene. The episode also discusses the polygraph tests that were administered to the potential suspects, as well as the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders. The episode concludes with a discussion of the investigation and the potential suspects, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer. This chapter delves into the details of the crime scene and the evidence that was found. The episode discusses the strange and disturbing details of the murders, including the message written in blood that says "Satan loves you" and the lack of physical evidence at the crime scene. The episode also discusses the polygraph tests that were administered to the potential suspects, as well as the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the investigation and the potential suspects, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer. This chapter focuses on the investigation and the trial of Bill Gray, Betty Lou's husband. The episode details how Bill was eventually arrested and charged with the murders of Betty Lou and Rita Roundee. The episode also discusses the evidence that was presented at trial, including the travel all that was found at Bill's ranch and the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders. The episode concludes with Bill's conviction and sentencing to two life sentences without the chance of parole. This chapter discusses the appeals process and the eventual overturning of Bill Gray's conviction by the ninth circuit court of appeals. The episode details the reasons for the overturning of the conviction, including the judge's ruling on the admissibility of hearsay evidence and the photo lineup that was used to identify Bill. The episode concludes with the Supreme Court's decision to reinstate Bill Gray's conviction and send him back to prison. This chapter concludes with a discussion of Bill Gray's death in prison at the age of 77. The episode also provides information about the burial locations of Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee. The episode concludes with a discussion of the case and the evidence that was presented at trial, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast and its hosts, James Petrogallo and Jimmy Wiseman. They announce their upcoming live shows and encourage listeners to support the show through Patreon. They also discuss their upcoming episode, which will focus on a murder in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

00:04:49

Idaho Falls: A Town of Potatoes, Mormons, and Murder

This Chapter provides a brief overview of Idaho Falls, Idaho, highlighting its Mormon population, its history of nuclear testing, and its current demographics. The hosts discuss the town's history, its economic situation, and its crime rate. They also share some interesting facts about the town, such as the fact that it has a higher divorce rate than the national average.

00:23:59

The Murder of Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee

This Chapter delves into the 1989 murder of Betty Lou Hales and her friend Rita Roundee in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The hosts recount the discovery of the bodies by Roy Levitt, a friend of Rita who was supposed to drive her to the airport. They analyze Levitt's 911 call, revealing inconsistencies and a strange detail about a message written in blood that says "Satan loves you." The hosts then discuss the backgrounds of the victims and their families, providing details about their lives and relationships.

00:51:09

Bill Gray: A Controlling Husband

This Chapter focuses on Bill Gray, Betty Lou's husband, and his controlling and manipulative behavior. The episode details how Bill controlled Betty's finances, her activities, and even her interactions with her family and friends. Bill's suspicious actions, including a fire that destroyed his worm farm, are discussed, leading to the conclusion that he may have been responsible for the fire to collect insurance money.

01:24:16

Bill Gray's Pawn Shop in Jackson Hole

This Chapter concludes with Bill's move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he opens a pawn shop, further highlighting his manipulative and potentially criminal nature. The episode details how Bill used his father's credit rating to secure a loan for the pawn shop and how he eventually expanded the business to include a fishing tackle department, a music department, and even more jewelry. The episode also discusses Bill's close relationship with Lee Brown, a mentally slow man who helped Bill commit various crimes, including stripping and pushing Bill's Jeep off a cliff to collect insurance money. The episode concludes with a discussion of the fires that destroyed Bill's pawn shop and other businesses in Jackson Hole, leading to the suspicion that Bill may have been responsible for the fires to collect insurance money.

01:42:53

Bill Gray's Controlling Behavior and Health Problems

This Chapter continues to explore the relationship between Bill Gray and Betty Lou Hales, highlighting Bill's controlling and abusive behavior. The episode details how Bill would yell at Betty for minor infractions, such as forgetting to put out the salt, and how he would demand that she refill his glass of milk. The episode also discusses Betty's reaction to Bill's behavior, as she would laugh it off and say that she was used to it. The episode then delves into Bill's health problems, as he was diagnosed with kidney failure in 1986 and had to undergo dialysis. The episode details the uncomfortable and time-consuming nature of the dialysis process, as Bill had to attach a bag of dialysis solution to a catheter in his stomach four times a day. The episode also discusses Bill's love of gambling and his extravagant spending habits, as he would often wear expensive jewelry and gamble in Las Vegas.

01:48:26

Rita Lorraine Randy: A Victim with a Complex Past

This Chapter introduces Rita Lorraine Randy, another victim in the case, and provides details about her life and relationships. Rita was a friend of Betty's and worked for Fanning Wholesale, the same company that Bill Gray did business with. The episode discusses Rita's relationship with Bill Gray, as she was initially friendly with him but disliked his behavior toward Betty. The episode also details Rita's relationship with Roy Levitt, who discovered the bodies of Betty and Rita. Roy and Rita began an affair, which was kept secret from Bill Gray.

02:07:21

The Murder Investigation and Potential Suspects

This Chapter concludes with a discussion of the murder investigation and the potential suspects, including Bill Gray, Roy Levitt, and Rita's ex-boyfriend, CJ Walker. The episode highlights the strange and suspicious circumstances surrounding the murders, including the message written in blood that says "Satan loves you" and the lack of physical evidence at the crime scene. The episode also discusses the polygraph tests that were administered to the potential suspects, as well as the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders.

02:14:49

The Crime Scene and Evidence

This Chapter delves into the details of the crime scene and the evidence that was found. The episode discusses the strange and disturbing details of the murders, including the message written in blood that says "Satan loves you" and the lack of physical evidence at the crime scene. The episode also discusses the polygraph tests that were administered to the potential suspects, as well as the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders.

02:29:19

The Investigation Continues

This Chapter concludes with a discussion of the investigation and the potential suspects, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer.

02:33:37

Bill Gray's Arrest and Trial

This Chapter focuses on the investigation and the trial of Bill Gray, Betty Lou's husband. The episode details how Bill was eventually arrested and charged with the murders of Betty Lou and Rita Roundee. The episode also discusses the evidence that was presented at trial, including the travel all that was found at Bill's ranch and the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders. The episode concludes with Bill's conviction and sentencing to two life sentences without the chance of parole.

02:45:05

Bill Gray's Appeals and Conviction

This chapter discusses the appeals process and the eventual overturning of Bill Gray's conviction by the ninth circuit court of appeals. The episode details the reasons for the overturning of the conviction, including the judge's ruling on the admissibility of hearsay evidence and the photo lineup that was used to identify Bill. The episode concludes with the Supreme Court's decision to reinstate Bill Gray's conviction and send him back to prison.

02:46:54

Bill Gray's Death and the Case's Conclusion

This chapter concludes with a discussion of Bill Gray's death in prison at the age of 77. The episode also provides information about the burial locations of Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee. The episode concludes with a discussion of the case and the evidence that was presented at trial, leaving the listener to speculate about the identity of the killer.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main focus of this episode of Small Town Murder?

  This episode focuses on the 1989 murder of Betty Lou Hales and her friend Rita Roundee in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The episode explores the details of the crime, the victims' backgrounds, and the investigation. However, the episode also delves into the life of Bill Gray, Betty Lou's husband, and his controlling and manipulative behavior, raising questions about his possible involvement in the murders.

• What are some of the key details about Idaho Falls, Idaho, that are discussed in the episode?

  The episode highlights Idaho Falls's Mormon population, its history of nuclear testing, and its current demographics. It also mentions the town's economic situation and its crime rate.

• What is the significance of the message written in blood that says "Satan loves you"?

  The message written in blood is a strange and disturbing detail that adds to the mystery surrounding the murders. It suggests that the crime may have been motivated by satanic ritual or that the killer was mentally unstable. The significance of the message is unclear, and it is one of the many unanswered questions in the case.

• What is known about the victims, Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee?

  Betty Lou Hales was a 47-year-old woman who was found dead in her bed. Her father, Joe Hales, was a skilled craftsman and a World War II veteran. Rita Roundee was a 49-year-old woman who was also found dead in her bed. She was a friend of Betty Lou's and was supposed to fly to Las Vegas on the day of the murder.

• What is the role of Roy Levitt in the case?

  Roy Levitt was a friend of Rita Roundee who discovered the bodies. He was supposed to drive her to the airport, but when he arrived at her house, he found the doors open and no one inside. He eventually discovered the bodies in the bedrooms and called 911. Levitt's 911 call was unusual, as he did not immediately provide the address and he mentioned a message written in blood that said "Satan loves you." Levitt's role in the case is unclear, and it is unknown whether he was a witness or a suspect.

• How did Bill Gray control Betty's finances?

  Bill Gray controlled Betty's finances by giving her only enough money to cover basic necessities. He kept the checking account and paid the bills, and Betty had no idea how much money he made or what their financial situation was. This control extended to her spending, as she had to ask for permission to buy even basic items for the children.

• What happened to Bill Gray's worm farm?

  Bill Gray's worm farm burned down in the middle of the night. While Bill claimed it was an accident, his wife's sister and the Fontana police suspected arson, believing Bill had set the fire to collect insurance money. This suspicion is further fueled by the fact that Bill was struggling financially and had taken out a loan using his father's credit rating.

• What kind of business did Bill Gray open in Jackson Hole?

  Bill Gray opened a pawn shop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This move is seen as a continuation of his manipulative and potentially criminal behavior, as he used his father's credit rating to secure a loan for the business and later expanded it to include a fishing tackle department, a music department, and even more jewelry. The episode also discusses Bill's close relationship with Lee Brown, a mentally slow man who helped Bill commit various crimes, including stripping and pushing Bill's Jeep off a cliff to collect insurance money.

• What happened to Bill Gray's pawn shop?

  Bill Gray's pawn shop burned down in a fire that also destroyed several other businesses in Jackson Hole. While the fire chief suspected Bill was responsible for his own fire, he believed Bill was not physically capable of starting the other fires. The episode leaves the listener to speculate about Bill's possible involvement in the other fires and his overall role in the events surrounding the murders of Betty Lou Hales and Rita Roundee.

• What was the outcome of Bill Gray's trial?

  Bill Gray was found guilty of murder and burglary and sentenced to two life sentences without the chance of parole. The jury's decision was based primarily on the travel all that was found at Bill's ranch and the eyewitness accounts of a man on a bicycle who was seen near the hospital around the time of the murders.

• What happened to Bill Gray's conviction?

  Bill Gray's conviction was overturned by the ninth circuit court of appeals due to the judge's ruling on the admissibility of hearsay evidence and the photo lineup that was used to identify Bill. However, the Supreme Court later reinstated Bill Gray's conviction and sent him back to prison.

Show Notes