Stephen Epperly
Stephen Epperly
3Digest
This episode of True Crime All the Time delves into the 1980 murder of Gina Renee Hall, an 18-year-old college student, and the subsequent conviction of Stephen Eparly. The case is notable for being the first no-body conviction in Virginia, meaning Gina's body was never found. The hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson, begin by introducing the episode and thanking their Patreon supporters. They then discuss Gina's life, her shy personality, and the scars she carried from a childhood accident. They detail her last night out, where she met Stephen Eparley at a hotel and left with him. The hosts then explore Stephen's background, including his athleticism, quick temper, and past legal troubles. They highlight his suspicious behavior after Gina's disappearance, including his attempts to cover his tracks and his evasive answers to police. The investigation is detailed, including the discovery of Gina's abandoned car, the blood stains found at the lake house, and the tracking dog's scent trail leading to Stephen's residence. The hosts recount Stephen's trial, where the prosecution presented a compelling case despite the lack of Gina's body. The jury ultimately convicted him of first-degree murder, sentencing him to life in prison. The hosts discuss the aftermath of the trial, including Stephen's unsuccessful appeals and the ongoing search for Gina's remains. They explore the possibility of Stephen's parole and the potential for him to disclose the location of her body. The episode concludes with voicemails from listeners.
Outlines
The Case of Stephen Eparly and the Murder of Gina Hall
This episode of True Crime All the Time delves into the 1980 murder of Gina Renee Hall, an 18-year-old college student, and the subsequent conviction of Stephen Eparly. The case is notable for being the first no-body conviction in Virginia. The hosts discuss Gina's life, her disappearance, and the evidence that led to Stephen's conviction.
Introduction and Patreon Shoutouts
The hosts, Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson, introduce the episode and thank their Patreon supporters.
Gina Hall's Life and Disappearance
The hosts discuss Gina Hall's life, her shy personality, and the scars she carried from a childhood accident. They detail her last night out, where she met Stephen Eparley at a hotel and left with him.
Stephen Eparly's Background and Suspicious Behavior
The hosts explore Stephen Eparly's background, including his athleticism, quick temper, and past legal troubles. They highlight his suspicious behavior after Gina's disappearance, including his attempts to cover his tracks and his evasive answers to police.
The Investigation and Evidence
The hosts detail the investigation, including the discovery of Gina's abandoned car, the blood stains found at the lake house, and the tracking dog's scent trail leading to Stephen's residence.
Stephen Eparly's Trial and Conviction
The hosts recount Stephen Eparly's trial, where the prosecution presented a compelling case despite the lack of Gina's body. The jury ultimately convicted him of first-degree murder, sentencing him to life in prison.
The Aftermath and Gina's Unfound Remains
The hosts discuss the aftermath of the trial, including Stephen's unsuccessful appeals and the ongoing search for Gina's remains. They explore the possibility of Stephen's parole and the potential for him to disclose the location of her body.
Keywords
No-body case
A criminal case where the body of the victim is never found. These cases are often difficult to prosecute due to the lack of direct evidence.
Tracking dog
A dog trained to follow the scent of a specific person or object. Tracking dogs are often used in criminal investigations to locate missing persons or evidence.
Hearsay
Evidence that is not based on personal knowledge but rather on what someone else has said. Hearsay is generally inadmissible in court, but there are exceptions.
Parole
The conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence. Parole is typically granted based on the prisoner's good behavior and their likelihood of rehabilitation.
Stephen Eparly
The man convicted of the murder of Gina Renee Hall in 1980.
Gina Renee Hall
The victim of the murder case discussed in the episode.
Virginia
The state where the murder of Gina Renee Hall took place.
True Crime All the Time
The podcast that produced this episode.
Q&A
What makes the Stephen Eparly case unique?
The case is notable for being the first no-body conviction in Virginia, meaning the victim's body was never found. This presented a significant challenge for the prosecution.
What evidence was crucial in convicting Stephen Eparly?
The prosecution relied on a combination of evidence, including blood stains found at the lake house, the tracking dog's scent trail, and the discovery of Gina's clothing and belongings.
What is the current status of Stephen Eparly and the search for Gina Hall's remains?
Stephen Eparly is currently serving a life sentence in prison. Gina Hall's remains have never been found, and Stephen's parole applications have been denied. He may be required to disclose the location of her body to be considered for parole.
Show Notes
Stephen Epperly was convicted of the murder of a Radford University student in 1980. He was the first person in the state of Virginia to be convicted of murder in a case without a body. Over 40 years later, the victim’s remains have still not been found.
Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss Stephen Epperly. When Gina Hall went missing, her family became worried. Gina was a college student who met Stephen Epperly while out dancing. He immediately became a suspect because he was the last known person to have seen Gina. However, it would take a lot of work on the part of law enforcement to get a conviction.
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