This episode of "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the tragic story of Nicholas and Justin Diemel, two brothers from Wisconsin who were victims of a deceitful cattle fraud scheme. The brothers, known for their hard work and integrity, were lured into a business deal with Garland Joseph Nelson, a man with a history of cattle fraud. The episode uncovers the brothers' journey to Missouri to resolve a business dispute, only to face a grim fate at the hands of Nelson. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the devastating impact of unchecked fraud, culminating in a heartfelt reflection on the lives lost and the communities forever changed.

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Resources:

Federal & State Legal Documents

1. U.S. Department of Justice – Western District of Missouri “Braymer Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Cattle Fraud Scheme That Led to Murders.” (Press Release, April 24, 2023)
2. U.S. Department of Justice – Western District of Missouri “Cattle Fraud Scheme Resulted in Two Murders.” (Press Release, May 18, 2021)
3. U.S. Federal Court Records – Western District of Missouri Case filings related to mail fraud, firearm possession, and supervised release violations.
4. Missouri State Court Records State murder charges, plea agreements, sentencing transcripts, and pre-sentence investigation reports.

Major News Outlets

1. CBS News “32 more years in prison for Missouri man who killed brothers.” April 25, 2023.
2. Kansas City Star Multiple investigative articles on Nelson, farm operations, the brothers’ disappearance, and legal proceedings (2019–2023 coverage).
3. Associated Press “Missouri man pleads guilty to killing Wisconsin brothers.” April 21, 2022. “Missouri rancher sentenced in disappearance of two brothers.”
4. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin) In-depth coverage on Nicholas and Justin Diemel, their business, their disappearance, and courtroom developments.

This episode titled "The Ryan Ferguson Case" from the podcast "Missouri Mayhem, Mystery and Murder" delves into the wrongful conviction of Ryan Ferguson for the 2001 murder of sports editor Ken Heitholt in Columbia, Missouri. The hosts, Mindy and Megan, discuss the events leading to Ferguson's conviction, including the confession of Chuck Erickson, who implicated Ferguson. Despite a lack of physical evidence linking Ferguson to the crime, he was convicted based on Erickson's testimony. The episode also covers the efforts of defense attorney Kathleen Zellner, who helped overturn Ferguson's conviction in 2013, leading to his release after nearly a decade in prison. The hosts highlight the injustices in the case and Ferguson's subsequent advocacy for the wrongfully convicted.

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RESOURCES;

 Moriarty, Erin (November 7, 2013). "Ryan Ferguson Update: For 10

years, "48 Hours" has reported on the problem surrounding

Ferguson's now-vacated conviction". CBS News.

 David, Brennan (November 29, 2012). "'Dateline' to air second

Ferguson episode". Columbia Daily Tribune.

 Zellner, Kathleen (March 11, 2014). "Ryan Ferguson". Kathleen T.

Zellner & Associates.

 Smith, Jessica (April 18, 2012). "Chuck Erickson Takes the Stand in

Ferguson Hearing". Komu8.

 Erickson, Charles (April 24, 2007). "Charles Erickson Interrogation

Video". YouTube.

 "ABC News to air Ryan Ferguson story". ABC News. October 10,

2013.

 Zellner, Kathleen (November 12, 2013). "10 Turning Points Ryan

Ferguson's Attorney Says Led to His Release". Inside Dateline NBC.

 "Ryan Ferguson Files $100 Million Lawsuit against Judge Kevin

Crane, former CoMo Police Chief Randy Boehm, and others". The

Columbia Heart Beat. March 10, 2014.

 Piper, Brandie (March 11, 2014). "Ryan Ferguson's attorney files

$100M civil suit". KSDK.

This episode delves into the chilling true crime story of Ray and Faye Copeland, Missouri's oldest couple ever sentenced to death. Set in 1989, the narrative unfolds on a quiet farm in Mooresville, Missouri, where the discovery of human remains leads to the unraveling of a complex fraudulent scheme. Ray and Faye exploited drifters and transients, using them in a cattle-buying scam that escalated into serial murder. The episode explores their backgrounds, the execution-style killings, and the eventual capture and trial of the couple, highlighting the vulnerability of transient populations and the deceptive appearances of the elderly couple. The story concludes with reflections on the importance of evidence and the courage of a drifter who exposed the truth, ultimately leading to the Copelands' downfall.

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Sources & References

• Lohr, David. The True Story of Ray and Faye Copeland. Crime Library. crimelibrary.org+1
• “Elderly farmer sentenced to death”. UPI Archives. May 23, 1991. UPI
• Montaldo, Charles. “Serial Killer Couple Ray and Faye Copeland.” ThoughtCo. thoughtco.com
• “State v. Copeland”. Supreme Court of Missouri decisions. Justia Law
• Washington Examiner. “Crime History – 82‑year‑old serial killer dies.” Dec 28, 2009. Washington Examiner