PolicePodTalk

Willie Alonso Smith Unsolved Homicide

On Monday February 26, 2024 on Police Pod Talk, Lakicia Smith - Alexander,  is asking for help in solving a homicide that took place in September of 2017 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Lakicia explained her husband, Willie Alonzo Smith Sr. was playing in a dice game in the 3300 block of Winter Street when an argument started and gun shots were fired. Willie was shot multiple times and died from his wounds. Willie's death was ruled a homicide.

Willie was dropped off at the Hospital's Emergency room by another person who was not identified. Smith Sr. was the 26th homicide in Allen County in 2017.

Lakicia is asking for anyone who may have been at the dice game that day to be brave enough to come forward and tell the Police the truth about what happened. 

 

 

Three JAVA cases.

Friday on Police Pod Talk you will hear from Amy Davis and Stacey Davis, both with JAVA (Justice, Accountability and Victims Advocacy) talk about three cases where JAVA was involved with assisting families navigating the legal system. The first case will be 31-year-old Misty Gebhart who was shot and killed at her home while family members where there but no one saw anything. The second case will be 17-year-old Stacy DeGrandchamp who was killed during a fight in the backyard of a Fort Wayne home on Aug. 15 of 2002. And the third case will be the death of 1-year-old Elias Paez where his father was charged with Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury related to the Oct. 22, 2020 incident. 

 

Amy and Stacey will explain how they became involved with JAVA and what they have received from working with families of victims and why they continue doing what they do.

Samayah Barker unsolved Hit and Run Accident.

Monday on Police Pod Talk hear Rheanna Lee talks about her daughter, Samayah Barker, who was 17 in 2021, coming back from a friend’s birthday party with her boyfriend, cousin and cousin’s boyfriend, when a car struck and killed Samayah as well as injuring the three other teens. In the nearly three years since the crash that claimed Samayah's life, Samayah’s mother Rheanna Lee says she feels like she has fewer answers than she started with despite passing along seemingly important information to detectives and staying diligent with posting information about Samayah's case.

The vehicle that hit Samayah and the other teens was left at the scene of the crash at the intersection of Lafayette Street and McKinnie Avenue, with significant damage to its front end. You will hear what Rheanna was told by Police about the processing of the evidence and the updates Rheanna has gotten in the case.

Officer punches a female for arguing about how much cheese was on her burger.

Jeff and I talk about the Butler Township Officer who punched a female in the face three times after she argued with McDonald employees about not having enough cheese on her Big Mac. Jeff thinks if she would have sang the Big Mac song, she would have gotten the cheese she wanted. All caught on the Officer's body cam. 

Jury Duty Responsibilities

Jeff and I talk about Jeff being picked as a juror on a murder trial and what he learned throughout the process.   

April Tinsley

Friday, January 5, 2024 Police Podtalk starts out the new year with a conversation with Janet Tinsley. Janet talks about her daughter, April, being abducted while walking in her neighborhood back on Good Friday of 1988. Janet talks about the Police finding April's body 3 days later on the side of the road over 20 miles away from their home. April had been murdered and at that time the Police had no clues or persons of interest. Janet discusses her frustration with Law Enforcement and her own family for over 30 years before DNA evidence located a suspect. Janet explains her 30 year nightmare that still haunts her to this day.

Sports and Police work

Jeff and I have a conversation on how sports plays an important role in Police work and leadership.  

Unsolved Homicide: Spencer Smith

Monday on Police Pod Talk, the Founder of JAVA, Amy Davis, talks about an unsolved homicide involving her nephew, Spencer Smith, on August 19, 2017 at the East Central Towers in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Amy believes someone has information on what happened to Spencer and who used Spencer's cellphone shortly after the homicide. Amy also talks about why she started JAVA and all of the volunteer hours she and several other JAVA sisters put in everyday along with what it takes to work with people who are hurting.  

Miriah Herport, Overdose

Happy Thanksgiving! Friday on Police Pod Talk, Andrea Schroeder talks about her daughter, Miriah Herport, who overdosed on Heroin, leaving behind three daughters. Andrea explains how Miriah reconnected with an old boyfriend who was addicted to Heroin himself. Miriah soon after lost her vehicle, apartment, and children after Miriah started using Heroin. Andrea tells how her granddaughters are working to educate high school students on the dangers of using drugs and Andrea talks about her own crusade to keep another family from going through what she had to.      

Austin Crager Fentanyl Overdose

Monday on Police Pod Talk, hear Tonya Clark, Mother of Austin, and Ashley Crager, Sister of Austin, talk about the loss of Austin Crager after his long battle with substance abuse that started while in high school. Tonya and Ashley share their stories on how they both tried to help Austin through treatment, love and family support that never seemed to fully take hold. Tonya and Ashley will talk about the signs displayed by someone hiding their addiction. Tonya and Ashley will both openly say what they would do if they had the chance to do it all over again.