Digest

This podcast delves into the investigation and trial of Robert Kern, who was convicted of murdering 16-year-old Justice Marie Garrett. The investigation began with Justice's disappearance and focused on Robert Kern, her mother's boyfriend, due to his suspicious actions, including conflicting statements and phone data placing him at the scene where Justice's body was later found. Further investigation revealed mounting evidence against Kern, including bleach stains on his pants, suggesting he attempted to cover his tracks. Phone data revealed Kern's presence at the crime scene and his searches for GHB and pornography with disturbing themes. A social media account posing as a teenage boy, linked to Kern, revealed inappropriate messages sent to Justice. The trial presented a compelling case based on circumstantial evidence, including phone data, social media activity, and the bleach stains. The jury found Kern guilty of first-degree murder and evidence tampering, resulting in a mandatory life sentence.

Outlines

00:01:47

The Disappearance of Justice Marie Garrett and the Suspicious Actions of Robert Kern

This chapter explores the investigation surrounding the disappearance of 16-year-old Justice Marie Garrett. The focus is on Robert Kern, Justice's mother's boyfriend, and his suspicious actions, including his conflicting statements and phone data that placed him at the scene where Justice's body was later found.

00:02:40

The Evidence Against Robert Kern: Bleach, Phone Data, and a Disturbing Social Media Account

This chapter explores the mounting evidence against Robert Kern. Investigators uncover bleach stains on Kern's pants, suggesting he attempted to cover his tracks. Phone data reveals Kern's presence at the crime scene and his searches for GHB and pornography with disturbing themes. A social media account posing as a teenage boy, linked to Kern, reveals inappropriate messages sent to Justice.

00:28:25

The Trial and Verdict: Justice for Justice

This chapter details the trial of Robert Kern for the murder of Justice Garrett. The prosecution presents a compelling case based on circumstantial evidence, including phone data, social media activity, and the bleach stains. The jury finds Kern guilty of first-degree murder and evidence tampering, resulting in a mandatory life sentence.

Keywords

Q&A

• What evidence led investigators to suspect Robert Kern in Justice Marie Garrett's disappearance?

  Kern's conflicting statements, his phone data placing him at the scene where Justice's body was found, and his failure to inform Justice's mother about her absence from school raised significant suspicion.

• What were some of the key pieces of evidence presented at Robert Kern's trial?

  The prosecution presented evidence including Kern's phone data, his searches for GHB and disturbing pornography, the bleach stains on his pants, and the social media account posing as a teenage boy that he used to communicate with Justice.

• How did the prosecution use the timeline of events to build their case against Robert Kern?

  The prosecution meticulously reconstructed the timeline of events, highlighting Kern's actions and communications around the time of Justice's disappearance and death. This included his failure to respond to Justice's mother's calls and texts, his return to the crime scene, and his attempts to cover his tracks.

Show Notes