Chris Walker

And suspicions mount amongst family.

And suspicions mount amongst family.

So what's a powerful patriarch to do when the empire he built is starting to crumble, he's been put up against a wall, and there's always a chance things could take a dark turn?

So what's a powerful patriarch to do when the empire he built is starting to crumble, he's been put up against a wall, and there's always a chance things could take a dark turn?

That's coming up on episode three of Blood Vines. Blood Vines is a production of Fox Office Inc. Our executive producers are Laura Krantz and Scott Carney. Story editing is done by Alicia Lincoln and Laura Krantz. Blood Vines is scored and mixed by Louis Weeks. I'm your host and creator, Chris Walker. This podcast was made possible in part by the Fund for Investigative Journalism.

That's coming up on episode three of Blood Vines. Blood Vines is a production of Fox Office Inc. Our executive producers are Laura Krantz and Scott Carney. Story editing is done by Alicia Lincoln and Laura Krantz. Blood Vines is scored and mixed by Louis Weeks. I'm your host and creator, Chris Walker. This podcast was made possible in part by the Fund for Investigative Journalism.

If you're enjoying Blood Vines, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And please share it with your friends. It really helps more people find out about our show.

If you're enjoying Blood Vines, please leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. And please share it with your friends. It really helps more people find out about our show.

This podcast contains strong language and violence. Listener discretion is advised. June 11th, 2021. It's a stifling hot day in California's Central Valley. The air feels thick and heat shimmers above the ground. But the area I've just walked into is cold, clinical, bureaucratic. I pull out my phone to record a voice memo.

This podcast contains strong language and violence. Listener discretion is advised. June 11th, 2021. It's a stifling hot day in California's Central Valley. The air feels thick and heat shimmers above the ground. But the area I've just walked into is cold, clinical, bureaucratic. I pull out my phone to record a voice memo.

I'm in a private room off the courthouse's second floor lobby, and spread out before me on tables are envelopes, bags, and boxes. A legal clerk named Margarita stands among them wearing gloves. She doesn't want me to record her while she gives instructions, but they are as follows. I'm not to touch anything. I'm not to take photos. She will handle each piece of evidence so I can observe it.

I'm in a private room off the courthouse's second floor lobby, and spread out before me on tables are envelopes, bags, and boxes. A legal clerk named Margarita stands among them wearing gloves. She doesn't want me to record her while she gives instructions, but they are as follows. I'm not to touch anything. I'm not to take photos. She will handle each piece of evidence so I can observe it.

And yes, she says, I can record voice memos as I view the items. I'm nervous and excited. While I've read a lot about the evidence presented in this room, I've never seen any of it for myself. We start going through the case exhibits, and Margarita looks a little grossed out. I can't blame her.

And yes, she says, I can record voice memos as I view the items. I'm nervous and excited. While I've read a lot about the evidence presented in this room, I've never seen any of it for myself. We start going through the case exhibits, and Margarita looks a little grossed out. I can't blame her.

Next comes a cotton sweater. Its backside, definitely dark with blood. There's a towel, a spent bullet casing, the murder weapon.

Next comes a cotton sweater. Its backside, definitely dark with blood. There's a towel, a spent bullet casing, the murder weapon.

So far, most everything matches the police reports. There are a few surprises, like when the clerk produces a paper lunch bag full of audio cassette tapes. I'm gonna need copies of those. And then, well, I'm not prepared for what comes next.

So far, most everything matches the police reports. There are a few surprises, like when the clerk produces a paper lunch bag full of audio cassette tapes. I'm gonna need copies of those. And then, well, I'm not prepared for what comes next.

It's the murder scene. And as I take in the details, it's the little things that get me. The crooked angle of the victim's neck. The way the man lies backwards, one leg straight, the other knee bent, on a sofa. The expression on his face, peaceful, relaxed, unsuspecting. The photograph's grainy quality only adds to the eeriness. But I am also unsettled for a different reason.

It's the murder scene. And as I take in the details, it's the little things that get me. The crooked angle of the victim's neck. The way the man lies backwards, one leg straight, the other knee bent, on a sofa. The expression on his face, peaceful, relaxed, unsuspecting. The photograph's grainy quality only adds to the eeriness. But I am also unsettled for a different reason.