The Blount Family Bombing Part Four: The Exoneration

The Blount Family Bombing Part Four: The Exoneration

Author: TTC Productions August 31, 2026 Duration: 33:08
Michael Roy Toney was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1985 bombing murders of Joe Blount, Angela Blount, and Michael Columbus. In the years after his conviction, however, previously undisclosed records and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case raised serious questions about the evidence used to convict him. The evidence suggested that a trip remembered by witnesses may have occurred, but not on the night of the bombing. Witness coercion and memory creation were also clearly documented.

Toney’s appellate attorneys also uncovered records showing how the investigation against him developed. The original information implicating him came from fellow inmate who later admitted that he and Toney had fabricated the story to help him get out of jail. Investigators also spoke with a man whose punishment phase testimony supplied the prosecution’s $5,000 murder-for-hire motive. He also said his story was false. The witness claimed he implicated Toney while facing serious criminal charges because he feared dying in prison. His felony charges were ultimately reduced to misdemeanor assault, although prosecutor Mike Parrish denied that any agreement had been made in exchange for his testimony.

In December 2008, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that evidence that could have assisted Toney’s defense had been withheld before his trial. The Texas Attorney General’s Office took over the case and reopened the investigation. Toney was released on September 2, 2009, after nearly a decade on Death Row.

The murders of Joe Blount, Angela Blount, and Michael Columbus remain unsolved.

Part four of four.

If you have any information about the murders of Robert and Angela Blount and Michael Columbus, please call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tipline at (888) 283-8477.

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The stories that haunt a community often linger long after the headlines fade, waiting for someone to listen. Gone Cold-Texas True Crime is a podcast dedicated to those unresolved narratives, focusing specifically on the vast and complex landscape of Texas. Each episode delves into a different mystery, from long-unsolved homicides and disappearances that have left families searching for decades to other enigmatic cases that have stubbornly resisted explanation. The sheer size and diverse history of Texas provide a unique backdrop for these investigations, where details can be as sprawling as the state itself. Produced by TTC Productions, this series approaches each case with a focus on the facts and the human stories at their core, avoiding sensationalism in favor of thoughtful examination. When you listen, you’ll hear a detailed recounting of events, often including what is known about the individuals involved and the investigative paths that were followed, all while considering the questions that remain unanswered. This podcast serves as an audio record for cases that deserve renewed attention, exploring the lingering impact on communities and the hope that new information might still emerge. It’s for those drawn to the intricacies of real-life mysteries and the understanding that some of the most compelling stories are those without an ending.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Gone Cold - Texas True Crime
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