The Blount Family Bombing Part Three: The Career Criminal

The Blount Family Bombing Part Three: The Career Criminal

Author: TTC Productions August 24, 2026 Duration: 34:47
Nearly twelve years after the Thanksgiving 1985 bombing at Hilltop Mobile Home Park, investigators received a tip that shifted their attention to Michael Roy Toney, a 31-year-old man with a lengthy criminal history. After a five-month investigation and grand jury proceedings, Toney was indicted for the bombing deaths of Joe Blount, his 15-year-old daughter Angela Blount, and his 18-year-old nephew Michael Columbus.

Toney’s capital murder trial began in early May 1999 in Fort Worth. Susan and Robert Blount testified and nearly 80 pieces of physical evidence recovered from the destroyed trailer and the victims were presented. Prosecutors argued that the Blount family had not been the intended target and that Toney had mistakenly placed the briefcase bomb outside the wrong trailer.

The prosecution’s case relied heavily on testimony from Toney’s former wife and estranged friend, who both testified that they accompanied Toney to a business beside Hilltop Mobile Home Park on Thanksgiving Day 1985 and that Toney carried a briefcase away from his truck and returned without it. The defense challenged both accounts and emphasized that there was no physical evidence presented at trial connecting Toney to the bomb. They also returned attention to former Hilltop resident Mikey Huff, who had been investigated repeatedly over the years.

On May 20, 1999, after approximately four hours of deliberation, the jury found Michael Roy Toney guilty of capital murder. During the punishment phase, more witnesses provided damning testimony against him.

If you have any information about the murders of Joe 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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