#514 - Onion Of Lies - Agency, Iowa
Digest
The podcast "Small Town Murder Express" delves into the murder of Lisa Caldwell, a pregnant woman found dead in her trailer home in Agency, Iowa. The investigation quickly focuses on her husband, Seth Tetshell, who provides a shifting account of the events leading up to her death, revealing an affair with a coworker, Rachel McFarland. The discovery of the murder weapon, a Mossberg 500 shotgun, on the Tetshell property further implicates Seth. The podcast chronicles the three trials, highlighting the shoddy police work, the emergence of new evidence, and the powerful victim impact statements from Lisa's family. Despite the defense's attempts to point the finger at other potential suspects, including Brian Tate, a neighbor with mental health issues, and Jason Tins, a married jailer with whom Lisa was having an affair, Seth Techel is ultimately found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Outlines
The Murder of Lisa Caldwell in Agency, Iowa
This episode of "Small Town Murder Express" investigates the murder of Lisa Caldwell, a pregnant woman found dead in her trailer home in Agency, Iowa. The investigation focuses on her husband, Seth Tetshell, who becomes the primary suspect.
The Town of Agency, Iowa
The hosts discuss the town of Agency, Iowa, its small population, and its unusual motto: "Agency Nice." They delve into the town's history, including its founding as an Indian agency and the impact of a tornado in 2001.
The Case of Lisa Caldwell and Seth Tetshell
The hosts introduce the case of Lisa Caldwell, a young pregnant woman who was found murdered in her trailer home, and her husband, Seth Tetshell, who becomes the primary suspect.
The Investigation and Trials
The podcast explores the investigation into Lisa's murder, focusing on Seth Tetshell's changing story, the discovery of the murder weapon, and the testimony of key witnesses. It also chronicles the three trials, highlighting the shoddy police work, the emergence of new evidence, and the powerful victim impact statements from Lisa's family.
Seth Techel is Found Guilty
After a four-hour deliberation, the jury in the third trial finds Seth Techel guilty on all charges. The victim impact statements from Lisa's family are particularly powerful, with her father calling Seth a "cold-hearted killer" and her mother saying she had no doubt he made sure Lisa couldn't resist before he shot her.
Keywords
Agency, Iowa
A small town in Wapello County, Iowa, known for its "Agency Nice" motto and its history as an Indian agency.
Seth Techel
Seth Techel is the main subject of the podcast. He was accused of murdering his pregnant wife, Lisa, in 2012. The podcast explores the events leading up to the murder, the three trials, and the eventual conviction.
Lisa Techel
Lisa Techel was Seth's pregnant wife, who was murdered in 2012. The podcast explores her life, her relationship with Seth, and the impact of her death on her family.
Brian Tate
Brian Tate was a neighbor of the Techels who had mental health issues. He was initially considered a suspect in Lisa's murder, but the police investigation focused on Seth.
Rachel McFarland
Rachel McFarland was the woman with whom Seth Techel was having an affair. Her testimony in the trials was crucial, as she revealed details about their relationship and Seth's behavior.
Jason Tins
Jason Tins was a married jailer who was having an affair with Lisa Techel. This information was not revealed until the third trial, and it became a key piece of evidence for the defense.
Mossberg 500
The shotgun that was discovered on the Tetshell property and determined to be the murder weapon in Lisa Caldwell's death.
Q&A
What is the unusual motto of the town of Agency, Iowa?
The town's motto is "Agency Nice," which is a play on the common phrase "Minnesota Nice" and reflects the town's reputation for friendly and welcoming residents.
What was the nature of the disputes between Seth Tetshell and his neighbor, Brian Tate?
The disputes involved minor incidents like garbage being thrown back and forth between their properties, rocks being thrown at Tate's house, and feces being dumped on his property.
What evidence implicated Seth Tetshell in Lisa Caldwell's murder?
Seth's changing story about his affair with Rachel McFarland, the discovery of the murder weapon (a Mossberg 500 shotgun) on his property, and the testimony of his friends who confirmed his involvement in acts of vandalism against Brian Tate all pointed towards Seth's involvement in Lisa's death.
What were the key pieces of evidence presented against Seth Techel in the trials?
The prosecution presented evidence of Seth's affair with Rachel McFarland, including explicit text messages and emails. They also argued that Seth had motive to kill Lisa, as he was unhappy in his marriage and wanted to be with Rachel.
What were the main arguments made by the defense in the trials?
The defense argued that the police investigation was shoddy and ignored key evidence, such as the possibility that Brian Tate was the real killer. In the third trial, the defense also presented evidence of Lisa's affair with Jason Tins, arguing that he was a possible suspect.
What was the outcome of the three trials?
The first two trials ended in hung juries. The third trial resulted in a guilty verdict on all charges. Seth Techel was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus 25 years for the death of his unborn child.
Show Notes
This week, in Agency, Iowa, a mystery unfolds, when a woman is killed in her own bed. Her husband claimed to be in the shower, when the act occurred, and blamed the couple's PTSD & paranoid schizophrenia stricken war veteran neighbor, who they've had fights with, over deer carcasses, and misplaced feces. It only gets messier when affairs begin to surface, throwing even more suspicion around, in all directions! A wild story!!
Along the way, we find out that in some small towns, watching children dance is considered "something to do", that you should always have sex with your mistress, before you think about leaving your spouse for them, and that having a burner phone ALWAYS looks suspicious!!
Hosted by James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman
New episodes every Thursday!
Donate at: patreon.com/crimeinsports or go to paypal.com and use our email: crimeinsports@gmail.com
Go to shutupandgivememurder.com for all things Small Town Murder & Crime In Sports!
Follow us on...
twitter.com/@murdersmall
facebook.com/smalltownpod
instagram.com/smalltownmurder
Also, check out James & Jimmie's other show, Crime In Sports! On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Wondery, Wondery+, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.