Digest

This podcast episode delves into the tragic death of Lisa Young Patterson in Marion, Indiana, and the subsequent investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of her husband, Scott Patterson. The episode begins by introducing Lisa and Scott, highlighting their seemingly happy marriage and comfortable lifestyle. However, the narrative quickly takes a dark turn as the hosts uncover Scott's infidelity, his controlling behavior, and his financial anxieties. The episode meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to Lisa's death, including Scott's affair with Stacey Henderson, his attempts to control Lisa's assets during their divorce proceedings, and his suspicious 911 call on the day of her death. The hosts analyze the evidence presented at Scott's trial, including the medical examiner's findings, the surveillance footage, and the testimony of key witnesses. The episode highlights the inconsistencies in Scott's story, the evidence suggesting foul play, and the jury's deliberations that ultimately led to his conviction for murder. The hosts also explore the reactions of Lisa's family and friends, the legal proceedings, and the public's response to the case. The episode concludes with a discussion of Scott's appeal, the upholding of the original verdict, and a call to action for listeners to share their thoughts and support the show.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murder in Marion, Indiana

This episode investigates the suspicious death of Lisa Young Patterson in Marion, Indiana, and the subsequent investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of her husband, Scott Patterson. The episode begins by introducing Lisa and Scott, highlighting their seemingly happy marriage and comfortable lifestyle. However, the narrative quickly takes a dark turn as the hosts uncover Scott's infidelity, his controlling behavior, and his financial anxieties.

00:00:39

Lisa Young's Life and Family

The hosts delve into Lisa's background, her happy-go-lucky personality, her close relationship with her family, and her move to Indiana for a job. They also discuss her son, Dylan McCoy, and her marriage to Scott Patterson.

00:01:17

Lisa Young's Relationship with Scott Patterson

The hosts explore Lisa's relationship with Scott Patterson, focusing on their meeting, their whirlwind romance, and their lavish wedding. They discuss Scott's unusual profession as a John Claude Van Damme look-alike and roofing contractor.

00:00:27

Lisa and Scott's Life After Marriage

The hosts describe Lisa and Scott's life after marriage, highlighting their comfortable lifestyle, their frequent vacations to the Caribbean, and their large house in La Fontaine, Indiana. They also discuss Lisa's work as a marketing manager at the mall and her involvement in various community organizations.

00:24:16

Scott's Fitness Obsession and Lisa's Weight Consciousness

The conversation shifts to Scott's dedication to fitness and Lisa's awareness of her weight. Scott installed gym equipment in their basement to encourage Lisa to work out at home. They also purchased a tanning bed, highlighting the belief that a tan makes people look better, even if they're overweight.

00:34:01

Dylan's Relationship with Scott

Dylan, Lisa's son, grew up calling Scott \"dad\" as they married when he was four years old. Despite not knowing his biological father, Dylan developed a close bond with Scott, even calling him \"dad\" over time.

00:49:12

Scott's Unpopularity with Lisa's Family

While Lisa's family was happy for her happiness and the family's financial well-being, they didn't approve of Scott. They perceived him as a self-centered and controlling individual, particularly towards Dylan.

00:51:51

Scott's Affair with Stacey Henderson

The conversation reveals that Scott had an affair with Stacey Henderson, a well-known political figure in town. The affair started around 2006-2007, while Scott was still married to Lisa.

00:53:51

Lisa Discovers the Affair and Scott's Attempts to Reconcile

Lisa discovered Scott's affair with Stacey in 2008. Scott initially apologized and stopped the affair, but they resumed their relationship a few months later. Scott expressed unhappiness in his marriage and a preference for Stacey, but both were unavailable due to their respective marriages.

00:54:23

Scott's Financial Concerns and a Suspicious Appraisal

Scott's financial concerns about a potential divorce are revealed when he asks a real estate appraiser to assess his house without Lisa's knowledge. He expresses uncertainty about his ability to afford a divorce, highlighting his financial anxieties.

00:56:24

A Physical Altercation and Police Involvement

Dylan recounts an incident where Scott shoved Lisa during an argument. This was the only instance of physical violence Dylan witnessed during their relationship. Later, on New Year's Eve 2008, police were called to their home for a civil dispute over property.

00:58:13

Scott's Financial Concerns and Attempts to Control Lisa's Assets

Scott expresses his unwillingness to give Lisa half of his business during their divorce proceedings. He also complains about Dylan to Lisa's mother, Lucy, and attempts to convince her to persuade Lisa to move out of the house.

00:59:17

Scott Files for Divorce and Lisa Changes Her Life Insurance Beneficiary

Scott files for divorce from Lisa in March 2009. Lisa, with the support of her sister Christine, changes her life insurance beneficiary from Scott to Dylan. The family believes the divorce is moving forward, but the hearing is postponed to August 7th.

01:01:21

Lisa's Death and Scott's Suspicious 911 Call

On July 2nd, 2009, Scott calls 911, claiming that Lisa had an accident at home. His call is analyzed, revealing inconsistencies and a lack of urgency, raising suspicions about his involvement.

01:04:41

Scott's Story and the Investigation Begins

Scott tells the police that he found Lisa in the basement workout room with the weight bar across her throat. He claims to have attempted CPR but was unable to revive her. The police begin their investigation, finding no signs of forced entry or injuries on Scott.

01:06:54

The Medical Examiner's Findings and Suspicions Arise

The medical examiner determines Lisa's cause of death to be asphyxiation due to neck compression. The presence of petechiae, ruptured blood vessels, suggests a struggle and pressure on her torso. The examiner also notes that Lisa had been dead for two to three hours before being pronounced dead at the hospital.

01:10:42

The Surveillance System and Scott's Inconsistent Statements

The police discover a surveillance system at the Paterson home, revealing that Scott returned home several hours earlier than he claimed. The video footage shows him entering and exiting the house at various times, including while Lisa was already dead.

01:13:11

Dylan's Account and the Weight Machine Investigation

Dylan confirms that Scott was at the job site that day, but he left for a short period of time. Dylan also reveals that Scott's sister Sharon ran out of a restaurant where Dylan was having lunch, instructing him to call Scott. The police investigate the weight machine, finding no mechanical failures and determining that Lisa should have been able to escape if she got stuck.

01:18:30

The Medical Examiner's Final Report and Scott's Suspicious Behavior

The medical examiner concludes that Lisa's death was caused by asphyxiation due to neck compression, but the weight bar could not have fallen more than an inch or two without causing greater injuries. The petechiae on her back are consistent with someone straddling her torso or placing a significant weight on it.

01:24:17

Lisa's Family and Friends Question the Accident

Lisa's family and friends express skepticism about the accident, questioning why Lisa would have been on the weight bench, considering her preference for cardio and her neck injury. They also highlight Scott's controlling behavior and his affair with Stacey.

01:28:49

The Investigation Continues and the Role of Weight Loss Drugs

The police investigate the possibility of weight loss drugs contributing to Lisa's death. They discover that Lisa had been prescribed fentermine, a weight loss drug, by a doctor since 2002. However, the toxicology report shows that the drugs were within the therapeutic range and did not contribute to her death.

01:34:40

A Past Report of Scott Seeking a Hitman

The police uncover a report from 2001, where someone called the Wabush County Sheriff's Department to report that Scott had approached them and others looking for someone to kill Lisa. This information adds another layer of suspicion to the investigation.

01:36:45

The Medical Examiner's Final Report and the Evidence of Foul Play

The medical examiner's final report confirms the presence of bruising near Lisa's neck, cuts and scrapes on her face and shoulder, and petechiae on her back. The examiner concludes that the weight bar could not have caused the neck injury and that the petechiae are consistent with someone straddling her torso.

01:38:21

The Investigation Reveals the Truth

The police investigate the weight machine and determine that there were seven ways for Lisa to escape if she got stuck. The medical examiner believes that Lisa died before 10 a.m., contradicting Scott's story. The surveillance system reveals that Scott returned home several hours earlier than he claimed and was in contact with Stacey Henderson throughout the day.

01:41:29

The Case of Scott Patterson

This chapter introduces the case of Scott Patterson, who was accused of murdering his wife, Lisa Young Patterson. The timeline of events leading up to his arrest and indictment is outlined, including the discovery of Lisa's body, Scott's initial denial of involvement, and the grand jury's decision to indict him.

01:42:44

Scott Patterson's Legal Representation and Early Developments

This chapter focuses on the legal representation of Scott Patterson, highlighting the involvement of attorney Jerry Druck. It also details the charges brought against Druck for trafficking with an inmate, involving gummy worms and male enhancement products. The chapter concludes with the judge's decision to allow the introduction of video surveillance evidence from Patterson's home.

01:46:13

Memorial for Lisa Young Patterson

This chapter describes the memorial dedicated to Lisa Young Patterson at the Five Points Mall, including a tree, bench, and flowers. The chapter also mentions the establishment of Lisa's Giving Smiles Foundation, which aims to support community projects.

01:50:06

Scott Patterson's Change of Venue Request

This chapter discusses Scott Patterson's attempt to change the venue of his trial due to the memorial dedicated to his wife. The judge denies his request, citing the lack of evidence suggesting a biased jury pool.

01:51:49

Scott Patterson's Defense Strategy

This chapter outlines the defense strategy employed by Scott Patterson's attorney, Stanley Campbell. The defense focuses on downplaying the significance of Scott's affair with Stacey Henderson, suggesting it was a minor fling. They also present alternative explanations for Lisa's death, including accidental asphyxiation from the weightlifting machine and a possible overdose on prescription medication.

01:54:09

Dylan McCoy's Testimony

This chapter details the testimony of Dylan McCoy, Scott Patterson's son. Dylan describes his mother's workout routine and confirms that she rarely used the weight bench without Scott's assistance. He also reveals that he initially believed his mother's death was related to the treadmill.

01:55:39

Stacey Henderson's Testimony

This chapter focuses on the testimony of Stacey Henderson, Scott Patterson's mistress. She admits to being in love with Scott and confirms that they had expressed their feelings for each other. The chapter also mentions the potential consequences for Stacey's husband if Scott is found innocent.

01:57:59

Medical Expert Testimony

This chapter presents the testimony of forensic pathologist Dr. Scott Wagner, who states that the bruising on Lisa's body is consistent with a barbell on her neck but not with a weight falling on her throat. The defense counters with their own medical expert, who argues that the bruising was a natural occurrence after death.

02:02:53

Closing Arguments and the Prosecution's Case

This chapter covers the prosecution's closing arguments, which emphasize the circumstantial evidence pointing to Scott Patterson's guilt. The prosecution highlights Scott's affair, the life insurance policy, and his lies to the police as motives for murder. They also present a demonstration of how the weightlifting machine could have been used to kill Lisa.

02:05:29

The Defense's Closing Arguments

This chapter focuses on the defense's closing arguments, which center around the toxicology report and the presence of a dangerous cocktail of drugs in Lisa's system. The defense argues that Lisa's death was an accident, potentially caused by a combination of the drugs and the weightlifting machine. They also attempt to explain Scott's lies as a result of panic and fear.

02:06:26

The Jury's Deliberations and Verdict

This chapter describes the jury's deliberations, which lasted for eight hours. The jury examined the weightlifting machine and reviewed evidence, including interviews with Scott Patterson. Ultimately, the jury found Scott guilty of murder.

02:07:27

Juror Number Eight's Interview

This chapter focuses on an interview with Juror Number Eight, Don Wompler, who is the only juror to speak publicly about the trial. Wompler details his experience on the jury, including the evidence that convinced him of Scott's guilt, the jury's experiment with the weightlifting machine, and the process of reaching a unanimous verdict.

02:11:11

Scott Patterson's Motion for a Mistrial

This chapter discusses Scott Patterson's motion for a mistrial, based on the jury's experiment with the weightlifting machine. The defense argues that the jury's actions constituted misconduct and that Scott had a right to be present during the experiment. The judge denies the motion.

02:15:09

Scott Patterson's Sentencing

This chapter covers Scott Patterson's sentencing, where he is found guilty and sentenced to 60 years in prison. The judge describes Scott as a \"human disaster\" and emphasizes the severity of his crime.

02:15:43

Family Reactions to the Verdict

This chapter presents the reactions of Lisa Young Patterson's family to the verdict. Her sister expresses relief and gratitude for the jury's decision, while her father hopes for closure and answers.

02:22:37

Stacey Henderson's Plea Deal

This chapter details Stacey Henderson's plea deal, where she pleads guilty to false informing, a class B misdemeanor, after admitting to lying during a deposition. She is sentenced to 60 days of home detention, one year of probation, and a 180-day prison term.

02:23:44

Dateline Episode on the Case

This chapter mentions a Dateline episode that aired in February 2011, focusing on the Scott Patterson case. Lisa's family expresses their appreciation for the episode but wishes it had included more details.

02:24:48

Online Comments and Reactions

This chapter presents a collection of online comments and reactions to the Scott Patterson case, highlighting the diverse opinions and perspectives on the trial. Some commenters believe Scott is innocent, while others express strong convictions of his guilt.

02:26:02

Scott Patterson's Appeal

This chapter discusses Scott Patterson's appeal, focusing on the admission of surveillance equipment and video, the validity of the probable cause affidavit, and the jury's experiment with the weightlifting machine. The court ultimately upholds the original verdict.

02:27:39

Conclusion and Call to Action

This chapter concludes the podcast episode, encouraging listeners to share their thoughts on the case and to support the show by leaving ratings and reviews. It also promotes the show's live events and Patreon page.

02:28:55

Survey Invitation

The speaker invites listeners to share their thoughts and experiences by completing a short survey on the Wundery website.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the unusual profession of Scott Patterson, Lisa Young's husband?

  Scott Patterson is a John Claude Van Damme look-alike and owns a roofing company. He is known for his ripped physique and his ability to impersonate the Belgian martial artist.

• What is the significance of Marion, Indiana, in the episode?

  Marion, Indiana, is the town where the murder takes place. It is also known for its connection to James Dean, its annual James Dean festival, and its history as a city of champions.

• What is the theme song of Lisa and Scott Patterson's wedding?

  The theme song of Lisa and Scott Patterson's wedding is \"Beauty and the Beast\" from the Disney animated film of the same name. Scott even dressed up as the Beast for their first dance.

• What is the name of Lisa Young's son?

  Lisa Young's son is named Dylan McCoy. The hosts find his name particularly cool and fitting for a character in a cowboy script.

• What is the significance of the mall in Lisa Young's life?

  The mall is a significant part of Lisa Young's life. She worked at JC Penney there while attending college, and later became the marketing director for the mall. She also enjoys spending time at the mall, especially watching the mall walkers.

• What was Scott's relationship with Lisa's family like?

  Lisa's family was initially happy for her happiness with Scott, but they didn't approve of him. They perceived him as a self-centered and controlling individual, particularly towards Dylan.

• What evidence suggests that Scott was having an affair with Stacey Henderson?

  The police discovered that Scott and Stacey exchanged 130 text messages on the day Lisa died, including a three-letter text while Scott was waiting for the ambulance. The surveillance system also captured Scott walking around outside his house at various times, including while Lisa was already dead.

• What were the medical examiner's findings regarding Lisa's death?

  The medical examiner determined that Lisa's cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression. The presence of petechiae on her back suggested a struggle and pressure on her torso. The examiner also concluded that the weight bar could not have caused the neck injury and that Lisa had been dead for two to three hours before being pronounced dead at the hospital.

• What evidence suggests that Scott may have been involved in Lisa's death?

  Scott's inconsistent statements to the police, the surveillance footage showing him returning home earlier than he claimed, the numerous text messages with Stacey Henderson, and the past report of him seeking a hitman all raise suspicions about his involvement in Lisa's death.

• What were the key pieces of evidence that convinced Juror Number Eight of Scott Patterson's guilt?

  Juror Number Eight was particularly convinced by the prosecution's timeline, which showed that Scott was unaccounted for during a crucial period of time on the day Lisa died. He also found the jury's experiment with the weightlifting machine to be compelling, as it demonstrated that Lisa would have been unable to free herself if someone had been holding her down.

• What were the main arguments presented by the defense in Scott Patterson's trial?

  The defense argued that Lisa's death was an accident, potentially caused by a combination of prescription medication and the weightlifting machine. They also attempted to downplay the significance of Scott's affair and explain his lies as a result of panic and fear.

• What were the legal issues raised in Scott Patterson's appeal?

  Scott Patterson's appeal focused on the admission of surveillance equipment and video, the validity of the probable cause affidavit, and the jury's experiment with the weightlifting machine. The court ultimately upheld the original verdict, finding that the evidence was admissible and that the jury's actions did not constitute misconduct.

• What is the purpose of the survey mentioned in the transcript?

  The survey aims to gather information about the listeners and their experiences, likely to improve the platform or content offered by Wundery.

Show Notes