Ch. 39 - Open Wounds

Ch. 39 - Open Wounds

Author: Radio Vérté | Cory Zimmerman August 1, 2023 Duration: 20:50

The ex-girlfriend--

Preferring to remain anonymous, an ex-lover of Donald Bull’s expresses concerns about being on the record due to the rough crowd she is associated with, mentioning that some of her friends and acquaintances believe Donnie is innocent, though preferring to maintain a low profile to avoid getting involved with any further drama, especially considering her job caring for elderly and disabled individuals. She shares her challenging life circumstances, including leaving a painful alcoholic relationship before Donnie and raising three daughters, one of whom is in the midst of a teenage pregnancy.

She describes how she met Donnie through a friend, initially believing he was friendly with positive qualities—stating that even dogs and children were drawn to him. However, when Donnie eventually moved in without her consent, she mentions to listeners that she didn't confront Donnie about the issue due to fear of confrontation. This decision led to significant consequences as he later used her address as his place of residence, causing her to lose her rent assistance and become homeless after his eventual arrest for the double homicide. Despite this, she considers herself fortunate compared to the victims, who had lost their lives, as she wasn't physically harmed or abused during the brief relationship. Regarding the case, the ex-girlfriend firmly believes Donnie is guilty of murdering Donna and Justine, adding she has no doubt as to his guilt for the murders, even though Donnie had claimed innocence in letters to her sent from jail.

This interview raises essential ethical considerations regarding the payment for the ex-girlfriend's testimony—while we understand that offering compensation for interviews could potentially impact the credibility and objectivity of her statements—as we intend to be as transparent with you as possible, as financial incentives that were not dulled out may have unintentionally led individuals to provide exaggerated or fabricated accounts to secure compensation.

Contact SRG: cz@studios.works.

Visit SRG: www.spoonrivergothic.com.

Instagram: @srg.podcast

Facebook: /Spoon.River.Gothic.Podcast

YouTube: @Spoon.River.Gothic.Podcast


In the shadows of small towns and along forgotten backroads, stories linger. The Spoon River Gothic Podcast, from Radio Vérté and Cory Zimmerman, unearths these true crime narratives, giving voice to tales that are often whispered but seldom fully told. Each episode is a carefully crafted journey, written and narrated by Zimmerman himself, whose delivery sets a distinctive, atmospheric tone. The work is rooted in detailed research provided by Rachel Laubis, Moira King, and Allison Hester, ensuring every narrative is built on a foundation of factual depth. This isn't just a recitation of events; it's an immersive audio experience designed to pull you into the heart of each mystery. For those who want to delve even deeper, Samantha Thomas provides extended written analysis on the blog, and supporters can access The Spoon River Gothic case file for exclusive bonus episodes and additional investigative material. This podcast lives in the space where the ordinary meets the ominous, exploring the unsettling truths that define the genre. Listen for stories that stick with you, long after the episode ends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Spoon River Gothic Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ch. 54 - Machinery of Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:28
Welcome to Hell-- We dive into several accounts from inmates on death row, as they appear in letters written from Death Row. Death Row inmates describe the extreme confinement conditions they face, 23 hours a day in 6x9…
S1. Bonus - A Solemn Responsibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
Bonus Author-I will present a bonus chapter written by Spoon River Gothic co-producer Samantha Thomas. This report shall pertain to Samantha’s subjective analysis of the Defense and Prosecution team’s closing arguments d…
Ch. 53 - All Bets are Off [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
Dr. Michael Gelbort-- Notably, Dr. Gelbort starred in the hit Netflix series "I Am a Killer," lending his expertise to the show. Dr. Gelbort assists patients by conducting interviews and coordinating testing for suspecte…
Ch. 52 - Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:30
The pursuit of closure-- Death penalty cases are a profoundly intricate and emotionally charged process with profound implications for the victims’ families and the defendants. In the case of Donald Bull Jr., his journey…
Ch. 51 - "Something fishy is going on here..." [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:44
A conversation with Ken & Alan-- Ken, the former deputy who escorted Donnie Bull to and from the courthouse each day of his trial, provides us with a fascinating juxtaposition--his impression of Donnie as calm and self-a…
Ch. 50 - A Heavy Burden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:05
Mr. Parkinson-- The assistant state's attorney, ardently presenting the prosecution's case with counterarguments to the defense’s closing, reminds us of the importance of recalling the complexity of Donna Tompkins' relat…
Ch. 49 - Burn Hot, Fast & Intense [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:13
A closing argument-- McMillian, Donald Bull’s co-defense attorney, masterfully navigates the twists and turns of this complex trial, leading us toward a thought-provoking destination—engaging, challenging, and captivatin…
SRG: Narrative of a Double Homicide - TRAILER [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17
Cory Zimmerman and Radio Vérité Present the Literary, Long-Form, True Crime Podcast: "SPOON RIVER GOTHIC - NARRATIVE of a DOUBLE HOMICIDE"A True Crime Saga Revealing a Mystery of Romance, Obsession & Terror. The Borders…
Ch. 48 - A Reasonable Doubt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
The Legal Arena-- As the pursuit of justice hangs in a precarious balance, the intricacies of the Donald Bull case unravel—what reveals itself to be a gripping courtroom drama that has captivated the public’s attention.…
Ch. 47 - The Stepping Stone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
An intricate tapestry-- During closing arguments, the prosecution, led by the formidable Mr. Ed Danner, weaves a compelling narrative, drawing upon several critical threads of evidence. The enigmatic ring found in Donald…