The hosts of Life Upon the Wicked Stage introduce a true-crime/arts podcast episode about Athalia Ponsell Lindsley (born Maryanne Fetter), a wealthy Florida-raised former Powers model, Broadway chorus girl, and early TV hostess whose life later shifted to real estate, civic organizations, political activism, and inventing a patented potato-related kitchen utensil. After moving to St. Augustine, marrying former mayor James "Jinx" Lindsley, and clashing publicly with neighbor/county engineer Alan Griffin Stanford Jr. over his credentials and alleged corruption, Athalia reported he threatened her. On January 23, 1974, she and her pet blue jay Clementine were brutally killed on her porch with a machete. Evidence included an eyewitness who initially identified Stanford, a blood trail to his home, and a dumped bundle containing a machete checked out by Stanford and his bloodied clothing and watch, but police mishandling and defense arguments led to his acquittal; a friend, Frances Bemis, was later murdered while Stanford was out on bail, and both murders remain officially unsolved.

00:00 Listener Warning

00:17 Show Intro and Hosts

01:03 He-Man and Movie Chat

02:07 Small World Animatronics

04:35 Robocall Name Riff

06:50 Meet Athalia Ponsell

12:29 Old Money Origins

17:13 New York Reinvention

23:18 Modeling and Chevy Girl

33:18 Broadway Chorus Years

35:01 Game Show Hostess Era

37:34 Gossip Column Romance

41:25 Midroll Intermission Break

43:51 First Marriage Ends Fast

47:40 Florida Reinvention Years

50:58 Clubs Patents And Pedigree

53:58 Move To St Augustine

58:50 Town Politics And Prejudice

01:04:35 Feud With County Engineer

01:10:54 Threats And Case Date

01:14:28 Bathroom Stop Setup

01:16:57 Doorbell And Mailbox Walk

01:18:25 Machete Porch Attack

01:21:09 Eyewitness And Suspect ID

01:29:58 Blood Trail And Coverup

01:31:34 Dump Bundle Evidence

01:36:39 Motive And Trial Fallout

01:41:04 Acquittal And Lasting Impact

01:45:26 Closing Tribute And Signoff