Digest

The episode begins with a brief personal update from the host, Mike Ferguson, about his wife's recovery from a concussion. The hosts then introduce the case of Kelly Bullwinkle, an 18-year-old found dead near an orange grove in California. The investigation initially focused on drug-related motives, but the police later shifted their focus to a personal dispute between Kelly and her two close friends, Kinsey Norton and Damien Guerrero. The prosecution argued that Damien and Kinsey planned the murder because Kelly had romantic feelings for Damien and he wanted to get rid of her to protect his long-term relationship. The trial began in 2005, with the jury hearing testimony about Kelly's crush on Damien and the complex relationships between the three friends. Kinsey was convicted of first-degree murder, while Damien's jury deadlocked. Damien later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life. He faced multiple parole attempts, with the governor initially denying parole but the parole board recommending it. After four attempts, Damien was granted parole in 2023 and released from prison. Kinsey remains in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2027. The podcast concludes by highlighting the cruelty of Kelly's closest friends, who used their trust to lure her to her death. The hosts express their disbelief at the motive and the lack of remorse shown by Damien.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murder of Kelly Bullwinkle: A Shocking Betrayal

This episode delves into the murder of Kelly Bullwinkle, an 18-year-old found dead near an orange grove in California. The investigation initially focused on drug-related motives, but the police later shifted their focus to a personal dispute between Kelly and her two close friends, Kinsey Norton and Damien Guerrero.

00:00:54

The Shocking Truth: Friends as Culprits

The police shift their focus from drug-related motives to a personal dispute between Kelly and her two close friends, Kinsey Norton and Damien Guerrero. The prosecution argued that Damien and Kinsey planned the murder because Kelly had romantic feelings for Damien and he wanted to get rid of her to protect his long-term relationship.

00:21:56

The Trial and Verdict

The trial begins in 2005, with the jury hearing testimony about Kelly's crush on Damien and the complex relationships between the three friends. Kinsey is convicted of first-degree murder, while Damien's jury deadlocks.

00:41:27

Damien's Sentence and Parole Attempts

Damien pleads guilty to second-degree murder and is sentenced to 15 years to life. He faces multiple parole attempts, with the governor initially denying parole but the parole board recommending it.

00:51:51

Damien's Release and Kinsey's Future

Damien is granted parole after four attempts and is released from prison in 2023. Kinsey remains in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2027.

01:00:37

The Cruelty of Close Friends

The podcast concludes by highlighting the cruelty of Kelly's closest friends, who used their trust to lure her to her death. The hosts express their disbelief at the motive and the lack of remorse shown by Damien.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the initial theory behind Kelly Bullwinkle's murder?

  The police initially suspected that Kelly's murder was drug-related, believing she was involved in the use of illegal drugs.

• What was the shocking revelation about Kelly's murder?

  The police later determined that Kelly's murder was not drug-related but was instead a result of a personal dispute between her and her two close friends, Kinsey Norton and Damien Guerrero.

• What was the motive behind Kelly's murder?

  The prosecution argued that Damien and Kinsey planned the murder because Kelly had romantic feelings for Damien and he wanted to get rid of her to protect his long-term relationship.

• What was the outcome of Damien Guerrero's parole attempts?

  After four attempts, Damien was granted parole in 2023 and released from prison. The governor initially denied parole but the parole board recommended it.

• What is the current status of Kinsey Norton?

  Kinsey remains in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2027.

• What is the most disturbing aspect of this case?

  The most disturbing aspect of this case is the cruelty of Kelly's closest friends, who used their trust to lure her to her death. The lack of remorse shown by Damien is also unsettling.

Show Notes