Episode 315: Barbara Gayle Stoppel, a 16-year-old waitress, was tragically murdered on December 23, 1981, in the women's washroom of Ideal Donut Shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was strangled with a twine, and despite being found alive, she succumbed to her injuries after six days on life support. The murder case quickly became notorious not only due to its brutal nature but also because of the wrongful conviction of Thomas Sophonow, who was initially accused of the crime.

Sophonow underwent three separate trials: the first ended with a hung jury, and the second and third led to convictions ultimately overturned by the Manitoba Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear a Crown appeal, leading to Sophonow's final acquittal. This case is frequently cited as a significant example of a miscarriage of justice involving flawed eyewitness identifications and police misconduct during the interrogation process.

Despite Sophonow's exoneration, the actual perpetrator remained at large until a re-investigation of the case pointed to another suspect, Terry Arnold, who was already known to police for similar offences, having left a trail of depravity, sexual assaults and suspected murder in his wake. This revelation came too late to be pursued thoroughly, as Arnold died by suicide in 2005.

The impact of this case has been profound, leading to public scrutiny over police procedures and the reliability of eyewitness testimony. It has also been the subject of several books and a public inquiry which sought to prevent such injustices in the future.

Sources:

barbstoppel.com

Thomas Sophonow | Innocence Canada

City of Winnipeg

1984 CanLII 2912 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow | CanLII

1984 CanLII 3811 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow (No.1) | CanLII

1986 CanLII 104 (MB CA) | R. v. Sophonow (No.2) | CanLII

1999 CanLII 6576 (BC SC) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

2001 BCCA 374 (CanLII) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

2005 BCCA 611 (CanLII) | R. v. Arnold | CanLII

Body of suspect in Winnipeg killing found in Victoria

Drifter

Thomas Sophonow Inquiry

Letter of Apology to Tom Sophonow

1bpm85fqb_903420

Stoppel

Exclusive: Thirty years later, survivor details encounter with serial killer Terry Arnold

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Episode 314: Ezra Allen Miner, more commonly known as Bill Miner, was an infamous American stagecoach and train robber born in Michigan in 1846. Bill Miner's criminal career included an early arrest on April 3, 1866, for robbery, leading to a three-year sentence at San Quentin. Over thirty-five years, Miner was incarcerated for a cumulative total of nearly 30 years, experiencing two official releases and making five escapes from custody. He became infamous in Canada for robbing the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and securing his status as a legendary figure in Canadian outlaw lore, which included an escape from the B.C. Penitentiary in New Westminster.

Known by nicknames such as “The Grey Fox” and the “Gentleman Bandit,” Miner was celebrated for his courteous demeanour during his heists. Furthermore, he is often credited with popularizing the now-iconic command during robberies, “Hands up!”; however, this may be hyperbole. Miner’s blend of politeness and notoriety helped cement his legacy in the annals of Canadian criminal folklore.

Sources:

This Week in History: 1906 - The legendary outlaw Bill Miner robs a train near Kamloops

Bill Miner | Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine

Bill Miner | The Canadian Encyclopedia

The Grey Fox (1982 film) | The Canadian Encyclopedia

"The Grey Fox" (1982) - Movie on Bill Miner - Western Stagecoach Robber | YouTube

The Grey Fox: The True Story of Bill Miner - Last of the Old-Time Bandits

Billy Miner Pie Recipe

Billy Miner | Mission Museum

Bill Miner | Historica Canada Education Portal

Bill Miner | BC Penitentiary Collection

Bill Miner – The Gentleman Outlaw – Golden BC Museum

Bill Miner | NFB Vignette

Old Bill Miner: Last of the Famous Western Bandits

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Episode 313: Douglas Donald Moore, known in Meadowvale, Ontario,  as a drug supplier for young teens, gained notoriety in Mississauga for killing three young men before taking his own life in his jail cell while awaiting trial on 11 charges for sexual assaults on three boys. Peel Regional Police assert that Robert Grewal, 22, of Meadowvale, and Giuseppe (Joseph) Manchisi, 20, of Milton, who were close friends, were killed in 2003 by Moore. After Moore’s death, he was named the prime suspect in the murders of Grewal and Manchisi. Additionally, police believe Moore was responsible for killing Rene Charlebois, 15, also of Meadowvale.

All three victims disappeared in late 2003, and their bodies were discovered in spring 2004. Charlebois’ remains were found in an Orangeville landfill, while Grewal and Manchisi’s remains were located in wooded areas near Montreal. In 2005, Moore’s former common-law wife and an unidentified 16-year-old were convicted of accessory to murder after the fact. The teen assisted in disposing of evidence, including driving with Moore to Quebec to bury the bodies of Grewal and Manchisi. Moore believed the two men had stolen drugs and cash from him, but it was later revealed that the 16-year-old was responsible for the robbery. The police have never disclosed the motive behind the killing of Rene Charlebois.

Sources:

Mississauga | Canadian Encyclopedia

History of Mississauga | MIssissauga.ca

Canada's most notorious murder case happened in Mississauga in the 1970s

Improbable Cause: The Harrison Family Murders

Search: Douglas Donald Moore | Newspapers.com

Youth appealing in Manchisi case

Murder victim’s grieving mother still has questions

Dad seeks slain son’s body parts | Toronto Star

Douglas Donald Moore (1968-2004)

Cold North Killers by Lee Mellor | Everand

Douglas Donald Moore | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers

Opinion: The horrifying path of Douglas Moore

Ontario Newsroom | Coroner’s Inquest

50TH ANNIVERSARY: Notorious Meadowvale serial killer left suicide note

Didn't know killer's background, doctor testifies | The Star

Spree killer feared dangerous-offender status | The Star

`I'm sorry ... I'm finally free': Killer | The Star

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Episode 312: In a home in Shediac, New Brunswick, on February 13, 1805, Amos Babcock, driven by delusions of divine mission, subjected his family to a horrifying ordeal. He gathered his wife, children and sister, Mercy, instilling fear with his erratic behaviour and unsettling declarations. Spurred by imagined threats and seeing himself as an instrument of God, Amos prepared for a sacrificial act, treating his family with cruelty dressed up as a religious ritual. His deep descent into madness was evident as he inflicted violence upon his loved ones, sparing none from his erratic wrath. Babcock's final act of brutality saw him murder his sister, Mercy Babcock Hall, whom he saw as demonic, in a brutal frenzy of madness, bringing a tragic end to a night of unspeakable horror.

Sources:

Amos Babcock (1764-1805) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Squash, Pumpkin Pie and Mercy… | Part 1

Squash, Pumpkin Pie and Mercy… | Part 2

New Brunswick — History and Culture

The Babcock Tragedy, a Story of Madness and Murder

Hellfire in Shediac

Amos Babcock... Crazed Murderer, or...?

Full text of "The New Brunswick magazine"

Mar 08, 1939, page 14 - The Montreal Star at Newspapers.com

Apr 13, 1939, page 15 - The Kingston Whig-Standard at Newspapers.com

Jan 18, 1993, page 25 - The Leader-Post at Newspapers.com

Apr 20, 2013, page 79 - National Post at Newspapers.com

The Ballad of Jacob Peck by Debra Komar (Ebook)

Great Awakening - First, Second & Definition

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Episode 311: On October 21, 2021, a tragic accident occurred on the set of the low-budget old-west movie Rust, filmed on a New Mexico ranch. Wife, mother and Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot, and writer/director Joel Souza, 48, was injured. It was the lead actor and producer, Alec Baldwin, who was holding the prop gun that killed Hutchins and wounded Souza. Somehow, it contained a live round. Investigations also revealed other live rounds on set, which is never supposed to happen.

Baldwin and the film’s inexperienced armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Dave Halls, 63, serving as the first assistant director on the film, entered a no-contest plea per a deal made with prosecutors, accepting responsibility for the misdemeanour offence of negligent use of a deadly weapon linked to the death of Halyna Hutchins. Numerous civil suits have also been filed, with accusations of negligence being levelled against several parties, including the production company, Hannah Gutierrez and actor Alec Baldwin.

Sources:

Halyna Hutchins | IMDb

Joel Souza | IMDb

Rust | Western | IMDb

Alec Baldwin | IMDb

Hannah Gutierrez Reed Probable Cause Statement | DocumentCloud

Halyna Hutchins Post Mortem — 62fc0b327d166.pdf

Alec Baldwin - Halyna Hutchins - FBI and Medical Examiner Reports (Aug 2022)

American Cinematographer January 2022 Ac0122 | PDF | Pixel | Signal Processing

The moment Alec Baldwin is told of the death of his colleague Halyna Hutchins

The New Mexico Film Office Announces Rust is Currently Filming in New Mexico

The day Alec Baldwin shot Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza

Search warrant reveals grim details of 'Rust' shooting and Halyna Hutchins' final minutes

A Timeline of the ‘Rust’ Shooting and Investigation

'Rust' timeline: Key events in the Alec Baldwin on-set shooting

Rust trial: How events unfolded after fatal shooting on Alec Baldwin film set

Raise Funds In Memory of Halyna Hutchins, organized by ICG Local 600

‘Rust’ Camera Assistant on Safety Issues, Pay Irregularities and Producer Behavior on “Brutal” Set

Bonanza Creek Ranch | About

Gun in Fatal Rust Shooting Used in Target Practice that Morning

FULL Alec Baldwin Police Interview About Rust Shooting Incident

Bodycam Released in Alec Baldwin Set Shooting

Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust’ producers reach settlement with slain cinematographer’s estate - National

Video shows 'Rust' rehearsal, Baldwin speak to officers after shooting | NewsNation

Halyna Hutchins’s Death on the Set of Rust Was “Not a Freak Accident”

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In the summer of 2006, a young Calgary woman was on top of the world. She had a supportive family, amazing friends and a great job. But life as she knew it came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the night on August 6, 2006. In this episode, Global News senior crime reporter Nancy Hixt shares details of a violent attack- a story that’s every woman’s worst fear.

www.calgarycrimestoppers.org - reference case # 06274598

https://newsroom.calgary.ca/sexual-assault-case-from-2006-has-new-lead/

Contact:

Instagram: @nancy.hixt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyHixtCrimeBeat/

Email: [email protected]

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Episode 310: On October 21, 2021, a tragic accident occurred on the set of the low-budget old-west movie Rust, filmed on a New Mexico ranch. Wife, mother and Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot, and writer/director Joel Souza, 48, was injured. It was the lead actor and producer, Alec Baldwin, who was holding the prop gun that killed Hutchins and wounded Souza. Somehow, it contained a live round. Investigations also revealed other live rounds on set, which is never supposed to happen.

Baldwin and the film’s inexperienced armourer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 24, were charged with involuntary manslaughter. Dave Halls, 63, serving as the first assistant director on the film, entered a no-contest plea in accordance with a deal made with prosecutors, accepting responsibility for the misdemeanour offence of negligent use of a deadly weapon linked to the death of Halyna Hutchins. Numerous civil suits have also been filed, with accusations of negligence being levelled against several parties, including the production company itself, Hannah Gutierrez and actor Alec Baldwin.

In this first of two parts, you will learn about the tragic trail of events leading up to the shooting.

Sources:

Alec Baldwin "Rust" shooting: A timeline of events in Halyna Hutchins' death | CBS News

Rust shooting incident

Rust shooting ‘43rd fatal incident on US film set since 1990’

Film set fatalities rise in last decade as production booms

On-set deaths from prop guns are rare — but not unheard of

Safety for Sarah

Directors Guild of Canada

Safety Bulletins – Contract Services

01_safety_bltn_firearms

02_safety_bltn_live_ammunition

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Episode 309: In Mike's first book, Murder, Madness and Mayhem, he wrote about an unknown man whose body was found on Somerton Park beach near Adelaide, Australia, by two trainee jockeys who’d been out with their horses on the morning of December 1, 1948. Lying in peaceful repose, the man wore a suit, overdressed for the warm Australian summer, and had no wallet or identification. He was unknown to anyone locally. The labels of his clothing had been ripped out. 

Some enigmatic leads proved fruitless, including the discovery of a book, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, believed to have belonged to the stranger. In that book, what appeared to be coded writing was found. Experts have yet to decrypt the supposed message. Some believe the man was a spy, possibly murdered for what he knew.

Called by many Somerton Man, the stranger's identity has remained unknown for decades until recently, when two separate groups came forward claiming they had information about who he was, leading to further speculation and even more questions.

Sources:

Murder Madness and Mayhem by Mike Browne

The Unknown Man by Gerald Feltus

Archived Newspaper Articles | Trove

Final Report/Thesis 2015 - Derek Abbott

Code Cracking: Who Murdered the Somerton Man | Prof. Derek Abbott

How to Solve Ciphers

Cryptography Hints

2602UMSAU — The Doe Network

‘Truth to come out’: Fresh claims emerge on Somerton Man

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Episode 308: Kimberly Lynn Hallgarth was the 33-year-old mother of one and involved with former CFL football player Joshua Joseph Boden when. she was found brutally murdered at her residence in Burnaby, British Columbia, in March 2009. Her death was covered extensively in the media due to its connection with Boden, who had a long history of legal entanglements and was the main suspect in her killing. After years of awaiting a resolution, Kimberly’s family finally got a whiff of justice, when in 2018, Boden was charged with her murder. There had been a witness to the crime, and she was willing to testify.

Sources:

Kimberly Hallgarth (1975-2009)

CSO - Search Traffic/Criminal By Participant Name

Josh Boden | Global News, Videos & Articles

2011 BCPC 366 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII

2012 BCPC 331 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII

2014 BCSC 66 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII

2021 BCSC 79 (CanLII) | R. v Boden | CanLII

2024 BCCA 6 (CanLII) | R. v. Boden | CanLII

The Province 15 Aug 2008, page 19

The Province 17 Mar 2009, page 7

The Vancouver Sun 25 Sep 2009, page 4

The Vancouver Sun 03 Oct 2009, page 7

The Vancouver Sun 25 Sep 2009, page 4

The Vancouver Sun 05 Aug 2010, page 5

The Province 19 Dec 2010, page 12

The Province 05 Nov 2018, page A4

The Province 04 Nov 2020, page AS10

The Vancouver Sun 17 Jun 2022, page A7

St Vincent and the Grenadines — Government

Murder of young mom still ‘unfathomable’

Woman found dead in Burnaby worked as escort

Police ID woman found dead in Burnaby home | CBC News

Former BC Lion Josh Boden handed 14-year minimum sentence for ex-girlfriend’s murder

The Province 14 Jan 2024, page A3

Ex-girlfriend to testify via CCTV against former BC Lion accused in Burnaby murder

Former BC Lion Joshua Boden found guilty of second-degree murder

Josh Boden trial: Key Crown witness breaks down in tears during cross-examination

Witness testifies about football player's alleged deadly attack on former girlfriend

Former B.C. Lion Josh Boden's murder of ex-girlfriend was 'horrific and brutal'

Former BC Lions player killed ex-girlfriend in Burnaby for ruining football career: Crown

Court upholds murder conviction for ex-B.C. Lion Joshua Boden | SportseNet

Court dismisses appeal of former B.C. Lions player convicted of ex-girlfriend's murder

Josh Boden football Statistics on StatsCrew.com

Joshua (Josh) Joseph Boden | Wikipedia

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Episode 307: On Friday, July 10th, 1970, around 7 a.m., near Ludlow, Maine, 45 kilometres from the border with Canada, the crew aboard a northbound Bangor & Aroostook Railway train noticed something lying on the tracks ahead. They thought at first it might be trash but reacted quickly regardless. Despite the immediate application of the brakes, the locomotive, towing 19 heavy boxcars, could not stop in time to avoid a collision. The objects on the tracks were sleeping bags containing three young males. All appeared to be in their teens or early twenties. The bodies were found without official identification, and among them, they carried just over 5 dollars in Canadian cash. After a very brief investigation, the Aroostook County Sheriff, Darrell Crandall, said he considered the deaths either accidental or a group suicide pact.

The young men were soon identified as Kenny Novak (fifteen) and David Burrows (seventeen), both from Sydney River and Terry Burt (twenty) of Whitney Pier, in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It was discovered that they had hitchhiked to the location, but they were a long way from home. Their families initially had no idea why they would cross the border. There were no indications that any of the three were suicidal. Why were they there? If their deaths were accidental, how had they not heard the train approaching? And why would they have chosen to sleep on the train tracks?

Information soon came to light that there may have been a darker reason for their journey, leading to speculation that the three might have been murdered and placed on the tracks to make their deaths appear accidental.

Their families and friends are still looking for answers.

Sources:

The Standard 11 Jul 1970, page 1

Death Notices — The Bangor Daily News 13 Jul 1970, page 26

Biddeford-Saco Journal 13 Jul 1970, page 10

The Bangor Daily News 19 Jul 1970, page 34

Remembering a Mysterious Summer of '70 Tragedy by Ken Jessome

Who Killed the Three Cape Breton Boys on the Tracks? by Ken Jessome

“An Unfortunate Mishap": Three Cape Breton Deaths by Ken Jessome

"Sleeping Victims": A Cape Breton True Crime Story? By Ken Jessome

QUEST FOR JUSTICE: The Cape Breton 3 (Interview with Lorne Novak)

Cape Breton Three: The Boys on the Tracks — Murder, She Told: Maine & New England True Crime

The Three Cape Breton Boys on the Tracks — Nighttime Podcast

S1 E2 The Cape Breton Boys on the Track — Locating the Lost

Federal Railroad Administration

Rail-HwyGXing_Accidents-- DEC. 31, 1972

The Mysterious Deaths of Don Henry & Kevin Ives - Unsolved Mysteries

SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS: the 1970 deaths of 3 Cape Breton Youth in Maine | Facebook

Aroostook County Murder Mystery | Facebook

Ingonish Beach and Freshwater Lake – Cape Breton Highlands National Park | Tourism Nova Scotia, Canada

Petition to Re-Open the Investigation — Change.org

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Episode 306: This week, we discuss the shooting death of American Mark Harshbarger during a 2006 hunting trip to Newfoundland. The Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, man was shot by his wife, Mary Beth Harshbarger, who claims she thought he was a black bear. In 2010, Harshbarger was extradited to Newfoundland, where she stood trial for criminal negligence causing death. The prosecution cited insurance money as Mary Beth’s motive for the killing. After two weeks of hearings in September, the presiding judge found her not guilty. 

The shooting death of Mark Harshbarger has been a source of controversy since it occurred. Some people believe that Mary Beth Harshbarger was guilty of first-degree murder, while others believe that she was justified in shooting her husband because she thought he was a bear.

It is important to remember that this topic is very sensitive for many people. The family and friends of Mark Harshbarger are still grieving his death, and Mary Beth Harshbarger has gone through a great deal. Mark’s children have lost their father. We aim to be respectful of all parties involved when discussing this case.

Sources:

Hunting | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Fur Trade in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Town of Buchans Newfoundland & Labrador

Guide describes fatal shot in U.S. hunter's trial | CBC News

Official Newfoundland Hunter Safety Course | HunterCourse.com

Inside The Harshbarger Family Case | CBC — True Crime Canada

Public Advisory: 2023-24 Hunting and Trapping Guide Available Online - News Releases

Regulation Summaries - 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Guide

Mark Harshbarger (1963-2006) | Find-a-Grave

2010 NLTD 152 (CanLII) | R. v. Harshbarger | CanLII

Another Fine Day Afield | Outdoor Canada

Extradition looms for hunter who shot husband | Outdoor Canada

Harshbarger's father speaks out about widow's upcoming shooting trial - News - The Times-Tribune

Judge throws out PFA order that had been lodged against Mary Beth Harshbarger - News - Daily Review

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