Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan: The Mayor and The Murders
Digest
The episode delves into the case of Jay Ostrom, a former mayor and law enforcement officer suspected of committing a triple homicide. The hosts discuss the unusual circumstances surrounding the case, including Ostrom's alleged use of multiple weapons and his history of using force in his previous law enforcement roles. They explore the time element of the case, specifically the four-day lapse between the alleged incident involving Ostrom's wife and the triple homicide, and discuss the legal concept of "heating and cooling of blood" in Louisiana law. The hosts also examine the role of alcohol in the case, acknowledging that Ostrom's alleged intoxication could be a factor in his actions. They discuss the potential for a "blackout defense" and the complexities of determining intent when alcohol is involved. The episode details Ostrom's past incidents involving the use of force, including two fatal shootings and an assault that resulted in a suspect losing his eye. The hosts question whether Ostrom's history has conditioned him to believe he can get away with using excessive force. They discuss whether Ostrom's actions suggest he is a ticking time bomb, analyzing his behavior leading up to the triple homicide, including his wife's account of his rage and his decision to arm himself with multiple weapons. The hosts examine the specific weapons used by Ostrom, highlighting the unusual combination of a small pistol, a shotgun, and an AR rifle. They discuss the implications of using multiple weapon platforms and the potential for a staged crime scene. The hosts speculate about the chaotic nature of the crime scene, considering the possibility of multiple victims moving about and the use of different weapons. They discuss the challenges of reconstructing the events based on the evidence, including shell casings and bullet trajectories. The hosts explore the possibility that Ostrom used multiple weapons to create a false narrative. They discuss the process of transitioning between weapons in tactical situations and the potential for Ostrom to have staged the crime scene.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Case of Jay Ostrom: A Triple Homicide and the Nature of Power
The episode begins with a discussion about individuals who seek positions of power, even if they lack substance or edifying qualities. The hosts express their dislike for those who are bombastic and full of themselves, contrasting them with the quiet and powerful individuals who choose not to overstep boundaries. The episode then introduces the case of Jay Ostrom, a former mayor and law enforcement officer who is suspected of committing a triple homicide. The hosts discuss the unusual circumstances surrounding the case, including the fact that Ostrom allegedly used multiple weapons and had a history of using force in his previous law enforcement roles.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Time Element and the "Heating and Cooling of Blood"
The hosts delve into the time element of the case, specifically the four-day lapse between the alleged incident involving Ostrom's wife and the triple homicide. They discuss the legal concept of "heating and cooling of blood" in Louisiana law, which distinguishes between crimes of passion and premeditated acts. They explore the role of alcohol in the case, acknowledging that Ostrom's alleged intoxication could be a factor in his actions. They discuss the potential for a "blackout defense" and the complexities of determining intent when alcohol is involved.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Jay Ostrom's History of Force and the Ticking Time Bomb
The episode details Ostrom's past incidents involving the use of force, including two fatal shootings and an assault that resulted in a suspect losing his eye. The hosts question whether Ostrom's history has conditioned him to believe he can get away with using excessive force. They discuss whether Ostrom's actions suggest he is a ticking time bomb. They analyze his behavior leading up to the triple homicide, including his wife's account of his rage and his decision to arm himself with multiple weapons.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Choice of Weapons and the Dynamic Crime Scene
The hosts examine the specific weapons used by Ostrom, highlighting the unusual combination of a small pistol, a shotgun, and an AR rifle. They discuss the implications of using multiple weapon platforms and the potential for a staged crime scene. The hosts speculate about the chaotic nature of the crime scene, considering the possibility of multiple victims moving about and the use of different weapons. They discuss the challenges of reconstructing the events based on the evidence, including shell casings and bullet trajectories.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Transition Between Weapons and the Potential for a False Narrative
The hosts explore the possibility that Ostrom used multiple weapons to create a false narrative. They discuss the process of transitioning between weapons in tactical situations and the potential for Ostrom to have staged the crime scene.
Keywords
Jay Ostrom
Jay Ostrom is a former mayor and law enforcement officer who is suspected of committing a triple homicide in Centerville, South Dakota. He has a history of using force in his previous law enforcement roles, including two fatal shootings and an assault that resulted in a suspect losing his eye.
Heating and Cooling of Blood
A legal term used in Louisiana law to distinguish between crimes of passion and premeditated acts. It refers to the amount of time that has elapsed between the provocation and the act, allowing for the "blood" to cool down and for the individual to regain control.
AR Platform
A type of rifle design that is commonly used in both military and civilian contexts. The term "AR" originates from the brand name "Armalite," which produced the first M16 rifles. AR platforms are known for their modularity and versatility, allowing for different calibers and configurations.
Centerville, South Dakota
A small town in South Dakota where the triple homicide involving Jay Ostrom took place. The town is known for its close-knit community and its relatively low crime rate.
Multiple Homicide
A crime involving the killing of two or more victims. Multiple homicides are often investigated as separate cases, with each victim receiving their own case number or session number in the medical examiner's office.
Deadly Force
The use of force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. Law enforcement officers are trained on the use of deadly force and are required to make split-second decisions in stressful situations.
Forensic Practice
The application of scientific methods to investigate crimes. Forensic practitioners use a variety of techniques to collect and analyze evidence, including fingerprints, DNA, and ballistics.
Trajectory
The path of a projectile, such as a bullet, through the air. Bullet trajectories can be used to determine the location of the shooter, the angle of fire, and the path of the bullet.
Weapon Platform
A specific type of weapon system, such as a pistol, shotgun, or rifle. Weapon platforms are often categorized by their caliber, gauge, and design.
Q&A
What are the unusual circumstances surrounding the case of Jay Ostrom?
Ostrom is a former mayor and law enforcement officer who allegedly used multiple weapons in the triple homicide. He also has a history of using force in his previous law enforcement roles, raising questions about his potential conditioning to believe he can get away with excessive force.
What is the legal concept of "heating and cooling of blood" and how does it apply to this case?
This concept distinguishes between crimes of passion and premeditated acts. The four-day lapse between the alleged incident involving Ostrom's wife and the triple homicide raises questions about whether Ostrom had sufficient time for his "blood to cool" and whether the act was premeditated.
What are the potential implications of Ostrom's use of multiple weapons?
The use of a small pistol, a shotgun, and an AR rifle suggests a planned and calculated act. It also raises the possibility that Ostrom staged the crime scene to create a false narrative.
How does the chaotic nature of the crime scene affect the investigation?
The presence of multiple victims moving about and the use of different weapons creates a complex and challenging crime scene. Reconstructing the events will require careful analysis of evidence, including shell casings and bullet trajectories.
What is the significance of Ostrom's history of using force in his previous law enforcement roles?
His history raises questions about whether he has developed a pattern of using excessive force and whether he believes he can get away with it. It also highlights the potential for bias in his actions and the need for a thorough investigation.
Show Notes
A former Mayor with 28 years of law enforcement experience has been charged with first-degree murder in a triple homicide. In this episode of Body Bags, Joseph Scott Morgan will break down the weapons used in the murders and the possibility that one of the victims died while he was on the phone with 911. Dave Mack will try and explain what happened four days before the shooting that may have led to the murders.
Transcript Highlights
00:00:00 Introduction people seeking power
00:02:12 Discussion ex-mayor suspect triple homicide
00:07:45 Discussion Triple homicide, 911 caller goes silent on call
00:12:21 Talk about different types of guns
00:17:35 Discussion suspect shows up with multiple weapons
00:22:12 Discussion triple homicide occurs four days after event that led to it
00:27:14 Discussion of defense strategy for shooting three people
00:33:17 Talk about suspect showing up armed, left home enraged
00:38:26 Discussion of victims shot with different guns
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