Steve Fishman, Narrator

From Sony Music Entertainment and Orbit Media, this is Finding Mom's Killer. I'm Steve Fishman. Episode 4, The Trial of the Century.

From Sony Music Entertainment and Orbit Media, this is Finding Mom's Killer. I'm Steve Fishman. Episode 4, The Trial of the Century.

So let's go into the stately old courthouse in Mansfield, Ohio. It's June 4th, 1990. In the hallway, there are folding chairs set up in front of a big TV screen for anyone who can't find a seat inside the courtroom, which is full to bursting. Jack Boyle sits quietly at the defense table in a tie and shirt sleeves, an attorney on each side.

So let's go into the stately old courthouse in Mansfield, Ohio. It's June 4th, 1990. In the hallway, there are folding chairs set up in front of a big TV screen for anyone who can't find a seat inside the courtroom, which is full to bursting. Jack Boyle sits quietly at the defense table in a tie and shirt sleeves, an attorney on each side.

Throughout the trial, the attorneys will be calm, even-tempered, rarely interrupting, kind of like well-behaved guests. Seated at the prosecution table is what I'll call Team Collier. Lieutenant Dave Messmore, who's been with Collier since the beginning, is seated at one end, Collier would like to be there too, except he's got other obligations. He's in sixth grade, so he's at school.

Throughout the trial, the attorneys will be calm, even-tempered, rarely interrupting, kind of like well-behaved guests. Seated at the prosecution table is what I'll call Team Collier. Lieutenant Dave Messmore, who's been with Collier since the beginning, is seated at one end, Collier would like to be there too, except he's got other obligations. He's in sixth grade, so he's at school.

But if the prosecution needs him, he's ready. And they will. Also at the prosecution table is the recently elected chief prosecutor of the county, James Mayer. A chief prosecutor doesn't usually take on individual cases, but Mayer couldn't resist this one. This is the biggest thing to hit Mansfield since Johnny Appleseed passed through in the 1800s.

But if the prosecution needs him, he's ready. And they will. Also at the prosecution table is the recently elected chief prosecutor of the county, James Mayer. A chief prosecutor doesn't usually take on individual cases, but Mayer couldn't resist this one. This is the biggest thing to hit Mansfield since Johnny Appleseed passed through in the 1800s.

If Mayer wins, he'll be a hero, his re-election all but assured. Of course, if he loses, he'll never live it down.

If Mayer wins, he'll be a hero, his re-election all but assured. Of course, if he loses, he'll never live it down.

Now, Jim Mayer is a dramatic presence. He looks ordinary, 40 years old, thick, dark hair that matches his dark suits. But he struts around the courtroom like he owns the place, patrols it with a pointer in hand, which he occasionally pokes at a witness. He's got a booming voice. He's sarcastic.

Now, Jim Mayer is a dramatic presence. He looks ordinary, 40 years old, thick, dark hair that matches his dark suits. But he struts around the courtroom like he owns the place, patrols it with a pointer in hand, which he occasionally pokes at a witness. He's got a booming voice. He's sarcastic.

He's scathing, always on the attack, zealous, maybe overzealous. At times, he barks at witnesses like I've only seen on TV. Yes or no? Yes or no? He's like a mad dog. Yeah, mad dog mayor. I like that. I'm going to use it. So why is Mad Dog Mayor so exercised? I mean, if the cops dig up a body in your basement, you're going to prison, right? Not in this case. Consider the defendant.

He's scathing, always on the attack, zealous, maybe overzealous. At times, he barks at witnesses like I've only seen on TV. Yes or no? Yes or no? He's like a mad dog. Yeah, mad dog mayor. I like that. I'm going to use it. So why is Mad Dog Mayor so exercised? I mean, if the cops dig up a body in your basement, you're going to prison, right? Not in this case. Consider the defendant.

Dr. Jack Boyle may be the city's most popular physician. Thousands of patients adore him. They write emotional letters to the newspaper raving about his dedication and kindness. They start a fundraiser to help with his legal fees. Some people still love him. Some people think he's not guilty and they stand right behind him and say he got framed. which seems to be Jack's argument as well.

Dr. Jack Boyle may be the city's most popular physician. Thousands of patients adore him. They write emotional letters to the newspaper raving about his dedication and kindness. They start a fundraiser to help with his legal fees. Some people still love him. Some people think he's not guilty and they stand right behind him and say he got framed. which seems to be Jack's argument as well.

He claims he has no idea how Noreen's body got buried in his basement. And then another challenge. Mad Dog has charged Jack with aggravated murder, meaning premeditated murder. And so Mad Dog has to prove that Jack planned this in advance. That's not going to be easy. There's just not a lot of direct evidence.

He claims he has no idea how Noreen's body got buried in his basement. And then another challenge. Mad Dog has charged Jack with aggravated murder, meaning premeditated murder. And so Mad Dog has to prove that Jack planned this in advance. That's not going to be easy. There's just not a lot of direct evidence.

And no murder weapon and no eyewitnesses. So Mayer needs a strategy, and he has one. Turns out there's a method to his madness. He doesn't just yell at witnesses. He has an attack plan, and it's relentless. It starts with one incontrovertible piece of evidence, Noreen's body. And so Mad Dog makes the body the star of the show.

And no murder weapon and no eyewitnesses. So Mayer needs a strategy, and he has one. Turns out there's a method to his madness. He doesn't just yell at witnesses. He has an attack plan, and it's relentless. It starts with one incontrovertible piece of evidence, Noreen's body. And so Mad Dog makes the body the star of the show.