The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run: An Interview with Author James Jessen Badal
05/16/24 • 50 min
In the 1930s, some of the poorest areas of Great Depression-era Cleveland, Ohio became the hunting ground for a vile, violent murderer. Unfortunately, despite the fact that this killer butchered around 12 individuals, his identity remains unknown. The Cleveland Torso Killer, also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, is one of history's most gruesome unidentified serial killers.
But James Jessen Badal — an author who has written three comprehensive books on the murders — isn't so sure. According to Badal, famed lawman Eliot Ness — known for leading the Untouchables against Al Capone — may have cracked the killer's identity.
In this episode, we'll discuss the case and the clues with Badal, and hear why he believes Ness may have actually solved the infamous case that so damaged his reputation.
The Murder Sheet participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases.
We strongly recommend Badal's books. In the Wake of the Butcher is all about the Cleveland Torso case. Though Murder Has No Tongue investigates the strange and tragic saga of accused killer Frank Dolezal. Hell's Wasteland examines the work of Peter Merylo and the possibly-linked Pennsylvania murders.
Buy In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland's Torso Murders.
Buy Though Murder Has No Tongue: The Lost Victim of Cleveland's Mad Butcher.
Buy Hell's Wasteland: The Pennsylvania Torso Murders.
Send tips to [email protected].
The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the 1930s, some of the poorest areas of Great Depression-era Cleveland, Ohio became the hunting ground for a vile, violent murderer. Unfortunately, despite the fact that this killer butchered around 12 individuals, his identity remains unknown. The Cleveland Torso Killer, also known as the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, is one of history's most gruesome unidentified serial killers.
But James Jessen Badal — an author who has written three comprehensive books on the murders — isn't so sure. According to Badal, famed lawman Eliot Ness — known for leading the Untouchables against Al Capone — may have cracked the killer's identity.
In this episode, we'll discuss the case and the clues with Badal, and hear why he believes Ness may have actually solved the infamous case that so damaged his reputation.
The Murder Sheet participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases.
We strongly recommend Badal's books. In the Wake of the Butcher is all about the Cleveland Torso case. Though Murder Has No Tongue investigates the strange and tragic saga of accused killer Frank Dolezal. Hell's Wasteland examines the work of Peter Merylo and the possibly-linked Pennsylvania murders.
Buy In the Wake of the Butcher: Cleveland's Torso Murders.
Buy Though Murder Has No Tongue: The Lost Victim of Cleveland's Mad Butcher.
Buy Hell's Wasteland: The Pennsylvania Torso Murders.
Send tips to [email protected].
The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Previous Episode
The Delphi Murders: Admissibility and "Demeanig" Commentary
We take a look at two recent filings in the Delphi murders case.
Send tips to [email protected].
The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Next Episode
The Cheat Sheet: Recusals and Reprisals
The Cheat Sheet is The Murder Sheet's segment breaking down weekly news and updates in some of the murder cases we cover.
In this episode of The Cheat Sheet, we will talk about several cases, including a number of murder conspiracies.
NBC News on the arrest of middle school principal Keante Harris for the brutal murders of Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, Quinones King, and Rodney Cottrell in Georgia: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alabama-middle-school-principal-arrested-charged-2013-cold-case-murder-rcna152229
The Daily Mail on the Keante Harris case: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13418411/alabama-Keante-Harris-middle-school-principal-arrested-cold-case-murder.html
11 Alive on the Keante Harris case: https://www.11alive.com/article/news/crime/cold-cases/family-knew-who-allegedly-killed-loved-ones-all-along-clayton-county-cold-case-murder-unsolved/85-f31f3336-7ec2-43fe-b9b3-83a99a4e282e
WBRC on the Keante Harris case: https://www.wbrc.com/2024/05/14/montgomery-families-getting-answers-after-arrests-cold-case-including-jefferson-county-assistant-principal/
WSFA on the Keante Harris case: https://www.wsfa.com/2024/05/13/central-alabama-crimestoppers-speaks-arrests-11-year-old-cold-case/
Clayton County's press release on the arrests in the formerly-cold torture-murders of Cheryl Colquitt-Thompson, Quinones King, and Rodney Cottrell: https://nixle.us/FJBBR
KSDK on the arrest of Thomas E. Gamble in the disappearance and presumed murder of John Paul Parton in Missouri: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/crime/murder-charge-missing-high-ridge-19-year-old/63-e2b1f4b6-6006-498c-92ab-a216f430af06
News On 6 on the recent release of Muhammad Aziz, the man convicted of plotting to murder Neal Sweeney in Oklahoma: https://www.newson6.com/story/6643f1febf33fc23319cd0f2/mastermind-in-murder-for-hire-in-tulsa-set-to-be-released-from-prison
Fox 19 on the bizarre case of accused shooter Gregory Guilfoyle and the subsequent recusal of Judge J. Steven Cox of the Franklin County Circuit Court: https://www.fox19.com/2024/05/15/prosecutor-refiles-attempted-murder-charges-wants-judge-removed-case/
The latest court filings in the Steven James Weis case in Wisconsin: https://wcca.wicourts.gov/caseDetail.html?caseNo=2023CF000334&countyNo=66&index=0&mode=details
The Miami Herald's coverage of the murders of mother-and-son Carmen Harris and DeMarco Harris, decades apart: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article288449059.html
Local 10's coverage of the murders of mother-and-son Carmen Harris and DeMarco Harris, decades apart: https://www.local10.com/news/local/2024/05/15/family-mourns-death-of-24-year-old-whose-mother-was-murdered-21-years-ago/
The WSVN on the murder Carmen Harris: https://wsvn.com/news/carmen-harris/
The Cold Case Project's filing on Carmen Harris:
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/murder-sheet-603266/the-mad-butcher-of-kingsbury-run-an-interview-with-author-james-jessen-77935310"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to the mad butcher of kingsbury run: an interview with author james jessen badal on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy