160: Coweta County Justice

160: Coweta County Justice

Author: Erica Kelley August 15, 2022 Duration: 1:18:06
Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Written by Erica Kelley
Researched by Haley Gray and Erica Kelley
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Erica Kelley

Sources: https://www.southernfriedtruecrime.com/coweta-county-justice

Sponsors:
SimpliSafe.com/southernfried
BetterHelp.com/southern


In the 1940s, John Wallace was a wealthy and powerful moonshiner who ruled Meriwether County, Georgia with an iron fist. Having the county sheriff in his pocket meant Wallace was allowed to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Even commit murder.

On April 20, 1948, Wallace’s reign would come to an end. That day, he murdered a man, something he’d done many times before. However, this time, Wallace made a grave mistake: he committed the murder just over the Coweta County line.

Wallace did not have the Coweta County Sheriff in his pocket, and he was about to find out what it was like to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Hosted by Tennessee native Erica Kelley, Southern Fried True Crime digs into the dark, complex, and often unsettling stories that have shaped the American South. This podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine both historical cases and contemporary crimes, all through the lens of the region's distinct culture. Erica brings a local's perspective, balancing a layer of charm with a direct, no-nonsense approach-what she aptly calls southern sass. Each episode is a deep dive into how geography, tradition, and social structures influence these events and their outcomes. You'll hear detailed narratives that reveal how the justice system operates in the Deep South, for better or worse. The show connects the past to the present, exploring how history echoes in modern courtrooms and investigations. It’s a blend of societal observation, cultural history, and true crime analysis, all grounded in Erica's firsthand understanding of the territory. Listen for thorough research presented in a conversational tone, where the setting is as crucial as the crime itself. This isn't just about the what, but the why and how, specifically within a southern context. Tune in for a compelling exploration where the stories are as layered and potent as the region's famed cuisine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Southern Fried True Crime
Podcast Episodes
162: The Stalking and Murder of Susan Loper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:45
For the past 16 years, Susan Loper had flourished as a fitness instructor at the local country club. She was beloved by her clients and had decided to open her own pilates studio. On her final day of work at the country…
161: The Murder of Brad Smithwick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
Everyone who knew Brad Smithwick knew that he loved his two children more than anything in the world. That’s why he fought tooth and nail to gain full custody of them. Finally, on October 3, 2007, Brad got what he was wo…
From Trembling Leaf Media, Introducing: Simply Vanished [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:31
Simply Vanished is a new investigative podcast about unsolved missing person cases. It is hosted by Josh Newville, a civil rights lawyer who is dedicated to finding answers. Note: Josh is a huge fan of Southern Fried Tru…
159: The Murder of Jennifer Evans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:26
On June 18, 1995, Jennifer Evans, a 21 year old pre-med student, went to a Virginia Beach nightclub with her two friends. While there, she met a young Navy SEAL recruit. They hit it off and she wanted to stay when her fr…
158: Murder in Slow Motion: The Death of Yana Huss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:22
Yana Huss was a kind and gentle person, and a loving mother to her two young children. Tragically, she was also the victim of domestic violence at the hands of her abusive husband. Like many victims, Yana tried to escape…
157: The Champion Family Murders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:00
On October 26, 2014, three members of the well-known and well-liked Champion family were found brutally murdered in their Cadiz, Kentucky farmhouse. The murders came as a shock to the small town’s residents. But nothing…
156: The Murder of Fred Mangione [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:22
In 1996, there were 11,039 victims of hate crimes in the United States. One of them was Fred Mangione, an extremely gregarious man who treated everyone like his best friend.Fred was more than just a statistic - he was a…
Wondery Presents: The Execution of Bonny Lee Bakley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:18
On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was found fatally shot in a car on a dark North Hollywood street. The prime suspect was her husband, famed actor Robert Blake. But Bonny, a longtime con artist, had plenty of enemies. She…
155: Prison Break: The Story of Jennifer & George Hyatte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:41
Outlaw couples, especially those that pull off prison breaks, live in our pop culture imagination. We romanticize them as we obsess over them in the press and on social media. But the reality is rarely actually romantic.…