Break the Case

In 1984, the now-infamous self-proclaimed serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to murdering hundreds of people, including Debbie Sue Williamson. In this episode, learn how Debbie’s parents contested his confession and ended up spending $100,000 and going bankrupt to prove to police that Lucas could not have been Debbie’s killer. Hear firsthand accounts from reporter Phillip Hamilton, who has followed this case for 35 years, about how these events transpired and the animosity that grew between law enforcement, the District Attorney and other powerful authorities who did not like the work the Lemons’ were doing to disprove Lucas’ confession. Hear more details about the evidence in this case and the steps taken by AMU’s Cold Case Team investigators, Jen Bucholtz and George Jared, as they continue their work to “Break the Case” for the family of Debbie Sue Williamson.  

Investigators Jen Bucholtz and George Jared travel to Lubbock, Texas on the anniversary of Debbie’s murder to meet Debbie’s sisters, Liz Flatt and Paula Chasse, as well as, some of her friends. They see firsthand what Debbie’s residence looked like on the same day and time she was killed 46 years ago. Listen as theyrecreate the scene, deduce the likely actions of the killer, and gather more information about the nuances of the residence. During their time in Lubbock, they meet with the Lubbock Police Department and news media in order to get Debbie’s case back in the public spotlight.

A key step in solving many cold cases is the processing of old evidence using new technology. In this episode, AMU professor and private investigator Jen Bucholtz interviews Francine Bardole, who has perfected a new and revolutionary DNA extraction technique called the Bardole Method. Learn how this technique separates and isolates forensic material from small pieces of evidence such as fingernail clippings, jewelry, and clothing. During this interview, Francine also discusses her 30+ years of law enforcement experience including working as a crime scene technician, the chain of custody of her DNA lab, and how the Bardole Method has been successfully used to extract DNA in cold cases, leading to arrests and convictions. Will the Bardole Method lead to the identification of Debbie’s killer?