The Case of Jeffrey Pyne

I know almost nothing about plants, but weren't those lilacs on the lawn? It's an honest question, not sarcasm. Because if they were, I have an explanation for the apparent "lie" on a comment I posted above.

Paula Bernardes-Silva

Funny enough, I think that the lilac reference (to the police)/not reference (in the voice mail) makes me think that he probably didn't do it. Why? Because being the high achiever that he was (and also the consumated liar that you think he was), if he was going to lie he would fabricate a convincing and difficult to disprove lie, AND the voicemail (again, if it was just a cover up) would match and even reinforce that lie. On the other way, if he was in shock (from the death of her mother, and the police being involved - even if he didn't know about the murder, he may well have thought it was suicide, though he says he didn't - but, with a mentally ill mother, I bet that came to his mind; anyway, even if he thought of an accident, it was still is mother's death), it's only natural he mixed up the days and tasks he was doing for the neighbour. As to why he cried only when his father spoke, I also find it a very natural reaction, one I've even observed myself: when someone is accused of something that isn't true, and comes to the conclusion that no one believes them, that someone may decide to remain stoic - and then, when someone else says that actually believes that person, the stoic façade crumbles and the relief and gratitude for being believed may be overwhelming and take the accused to cry. It's very common in children, or adults that are used to be doubted. EDIT: I said before he probably thought her mother had commited suicide, but reviewing the video saw that he said he didn't, so I had to include that option.

Paula Bernardes-Silva

Never thought of that! It's a good question, tough. That's someone who could have had a reason to kill her "rival"!

Paula Bernardes-Silva

Anyone who thinks he is innocent is delusional. Whether or not they had enough to convict is another story but I am glad that it came back guilty.

Lucas Shepherd

I dont know if he did it. And that jury should have come to the same conclusion. Notice when the verdict was spoken out he reacted the same as when the detective said she was murdered. He only got really emotional for us to see when his father said he believed his son to be innocent. So the argument of how he reacted to the detective in this was consistent with the surprising guilty verdict reaction. They had no evidence and i am sure when it was a judge or judges that would come to a verdict it would have been not guilty due to lack of evidence. Since we can presume that judges are professionals that follow the laws. Without a reasonable doubt. If there was any such case, it was here. This can happen when civilians on jury duty get to decide. No jury is the same. And the principal of everyone gets the same standards of justice is harmed by this system. It would be less when its a system of multiple judges deciding the fate of people like this. When i had to go on what i saw, how he looked, reacted in the minutes i saw here i would say, neh i dont think so. But that is not evidence like Mike explained how movies have that influence on how people think reaction would be. You do not know until you get in that situation yourself and you might be surprised how you would react. Only the blisters are strange. Never get injured at work and on the day this happens he would have? I am a sucker for probability....and its just to much of a coincidence. But never enough to convict.

Paul Wevers

I can’t get past the obvious blisters on his hands. Tossing a pallet and getting cut doing it would not result in two rub blisters on both hands in the same places. Where was the expert testimony from either side explaining the cause of the injuries? It seems like real sneaky and sloppy work on the side of the prosecution and also the defense. My guess he did it in a fit of rage. But I hardly think they proved it better than the prosecution proved their case in the Casey Anthony trial, the Michael Jackson trial or OJ and they all walked with far more circumstantial evidence.

Roberta Speyer

very littls as usual. they seem to either be proper shite, or IN ON IT. fuck.

Oslo Zeimantz

I don’t think he did it. You are right when you said that they would pick the man 2. I don’t think it was right that the prosecutor got to add man 2. I hope the innocents project take his case.

Cal Long

This one is weird. How much investigating did the police actually do?

BoredDinobot

Happy New Year Mike! A case from 20 yrs ago in Australia with ANU Singh I found interesting..maybe you would be able to cover it someday? Best:)

Found Girl

This is a weird one- the judge prejudiced the outcome by offering the 2nd degree option and there was just no evidence- I can’t work out what the jury based their guilty verdict on other than the sly direction of the judge.

Lucy Wear

Did he really? I was gonna ask that. That's BS if he did.

Scott Lavoie

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Mike!

LJ

That's insane, how do they manage a conviction with zero evidence??

Angie Patton

Hi Jade. I live down in SW Sydney💞❤️

Whytwolf

Where abouts in Australia are you from? If you don’t mind me asking? I live in the Gold Coast 💜💜

Jade Wooding

Jeffrey even passed a polygraph!!

Jade Wooding

I wish I could give this channel a heart but it seems wrong ....on so many levels, ......I love the way Mike treats the subject, and his humor

CHATTYGREATGRANNY

this one is crazy !!!!!

Eddy

Mikes gotta be reading some of these like of course she was killed on November turd at two turdy on turdsday at tree turdy tree.... 😂 🤦🏻‍♂️ Love u Mike and the accent, never change!

Dave

Some states allow the prosecution to “inform” juries that they can consider a lesser sentence. In this instance, the defense can do the same thing. So, this gaming of the system can go both ways. It’s still up to the judge’s discretion, and in most cases, there needs to be enough evidence to support the lower charge before he will even allow that instruction to be given to the jury.

Sun Valley Drive Music

Not to nitpick, but beyond a shadow of a doubt” means absolutely certain, and juries rarely have the luxury to be absolutely certain. Juries are asked to “think,” even if we don’t always agree with their conclusions. One reason to choose a jury trial is that it only takes one person to believe there is “reasonable doubt” to hang a jury. In this particular case, there wasn’t even one person. That said, i agree that a guilty verdict beyond a reasonable doubt is stretch in this instance. I do think he’s most likely guilty though, so I don’t envy the people who sat on that jury.

Sun Valley Drive Music

Ouch. I actually don’t think Scott Peterson is guilty. But in his case and this one, neither was proven in court (in my opinion).

Rosemary R.

I’m on the fence about this one. I think the prosecution should never be allowed to add a third option at the end of a trial. That’s BS. They knew their case wasn’t strong. Whether he did it or not, I don’t think he should’ve been found guilty. To me, it was not beyond a reasonable doubt. The spiteful bitch of an ex girlfriend had something to do with getting that conviction. Cheating and murder are two very very different things. At the time of the trial, she was still not over him.

Rosemary R.

By just the information given, I would have voted not guilty. I have a feeling there was more to what the jury heard. But then 'feeling' isn't evidence. She probably pissed off more than her family if she was in such a state that she attacked her own son. You can't convict someone because 'it was obvious' that he did it if the evidence doesn't support it.

LK Knecht

Seems pretty obvious that he did it. Proving it is obviously another question; no to very little evidence, other than his terrible alibi and the very obvious marks on his hands. Truly a crime of passion, and you know what they say about those - always a loved one or someone close to the victim. I have a feeling he bore absolute hatred towards his mother for years of torment. Perhaps she actually had stopped taking her medication again and he found out and that was the final straw! Suppose we'll probably never know!

Jack McCauley

Very rare to see such ambiguity in one of your videos. I honestly don’t know how I would have voted if I’d been on the jury. Getting the second-degree charge added seems to indicate the prosecution weren’t confident they’d proven their first-degree charge, so they chose to give the jury a more palatable second-degree option. I think it’s more likely than not that he killed his mother, but that’s not good enough for conviction in this country. Without the second-degree option, I think the jury would have acquitted, not necessarily stating that he was “not guilty,” but that the charge was “not proven,” a distinction without a difference in America. I didn’t see much regarding a reasonable doubt defense, but a refrain that there wasn’t enough evidence to convict. I agree.

Devin Michael

Oh, yeah... she appears to be the definition of "scorned."

Jared Crooks

The wounds on his hands and the fact that he lied about what he did at the house make me think he probably did it... plus the bogus voice mail (if I'm understanding it correctly that it was, in fact, sorta bogus). But that second-degree murder option surprise doesn't feel like a particularly fair move by the prosecution... Although, if you're allowed to do that, I'm surprised you don't hear about it being used as a strategy more often. Psychologically, a lot of juries are going to Goldilocks it if/when given the chance.

Jared Crooks

I felt that his ex is to blame. Maybe he confided it to her about the issues with his mother and the rest is history.

Wanda Morales

Like Scott Peterson I believe he’s guilty, but they did not prove it in court.

Halie Gail

That’s what I’m saying! It’s freaking despicable how the prosecution manipulated this case by giving a “middle option” , even if he actually did do it, at the last second cause they knew they were losing! They’re willing to destroy someone’s life and everyone around them just to get their win. They treat cases and people like statistics, all to better their career, instead of actually admitting with class that you lost

Ahmed “Anubis” Yasser

That’s why I blame the prosecution. It’s their fault, they were being manipulative on purpose cause they know people will go for a “middle choice” rather extreme ones. They wouldn’t do it at the last second if they didn’t doubt their own case and knew they were losing the jury. It’s despicable. The prosecution shouldn’t treat cases and defendants as statistics to determine how good they are that they’d go to any length to get their verdict. If if it wasn’t intentional, it clearly then shows the prosecution was unqualified and unprofessional because they didn’t have their shit together. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year tho!

Ahmed “Anubis” Yasser

Merry Christmas Mike and Happy Holidays! Hope you’re having fun and don’t forget to update us on how the moving places is going!

Ahmed “Anubis” Yasser

I think the ones to blame are the prosecution (even if he actually did do it) because of their last minute manipulation of offering a third choice (a sort of middle option so they wouldn’t feel too guilty) because they knew at that point they had at least lost the majority of the jury and a non guilty verdict would be found. Otherwise why wait till the last second to offer that third option? Even if it’s not intentional it shows gross negligence and how unqualified and unprofessional the prosecution is that they didn’t have their shit together from the start

Ahmed “Anubis” Yasser

Called em trees. ha. ty Mike, good sir.

Oslo Zeimantz

Happy Christmas Mike! 🎄🎅 Great video and story as always my friend. Please take time to spend with your fam and friends and enjoy the season. We love ya Mike 😘. Hugs and Love from Australia 🦎🐨💞

Whytwolf

A "guilty" verdict, of ANY kind, should NEVER be a compromise. If a jury is in ANY way unsure, they should return a verdict of "not guilty." I think it happens often and that makes be both angry and sad. Another great episode, Mike. Wishing you a happy New Year!

Laura Jane

Wow, a Michigan story, although an unlikely city for one. So yeah, Mike, Michigan's kinda cool. Come visit one day. In the summer though. Michigan summers on any of our Great Lakes is THE best time ever :) It's always cool to spend time with you watching your videos, and I hope the move was easy peasy, super easy haha!! Until the next one, be well, Mike!

Lisa Warenzak Herring

When it started that it was a wife that was murdered and her husband had a mistress I thought we were going to get to see the life insurance dance. 😂 I am on the fence with this one. There’s no real hard evidence. Hmm.

Sara T

Hey mike I hope ur Christmas was amazing an your move was successful happy new year to you an yours an all💜💜

As always this is an excellent video. I'm pretty sure I could watch you read a grocery list and enjoy it. I hope your moving went well. As for this verdict, it is ridiculous. It doesn't matter if you THINK someone is guilty. The instructions are quite clear. If the prosecution does not present evidence to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt the guilt of the defendant you must vote "not guilty." He should not have been convicted on the circumstantial evidence given in this trial.

Rebecca Smithey

So, right before the case goes to jury, the prosecution realizes they don't have enough evidence or didn't put on enough of a show to totally convince this jury and then asks to put another option in there? To help improve their odds of winning?? I'm sorry, that's fucked up. If they are so confident at the beginning where they say it's either First Degree! or Not Guilty! then it shouldn't be allowed at the end to put more options in there to hedge their bets. Our justice system is all sorts of fucked up.

murmurzz

Ready to get off work so I can watch this! I hope everything is going well for you Mike ❤

Renee Howard

Thanks Mike

Jane Pohl

Where’s the dads girlfriend that was dumped when mom started taking her meds??

Ellie

Sadly, I think it is likely the son did do it. Why? 1: He was a high achiever. Often when high achievers perform or act in a way that would let people down there is immense pressure for them to hide that. So, many do. 2: Accordingly, as would make sense for a high achiever and the secret affair/personality betrayal the bitter ex was going on about we could infer he became adept at hiding things, covering up, being secretive. Perhaps that's why the weapon wasn't found and he and the house were relatively "clean"...years of practice and hours to clean up before dad and sister returned home. 3: His injuries and the call to the neighbor...the extremely specific LILAC bush information given...very convenient and a little sloppy. 4: In the video of his court proceedings he is stoic until his dad speaks then he cracks and begins to sob. Perhaps he keeps things in? Hides feelings and actions? He didn't seem like he would cry at any moment then cry when he dad spoke. He seemed like his manner of dealing with trauma was "flattening" as our criminal justice system in my state calls it ( a disassociation trauma response; e.g. rape victim sounds like they are ordering pizza when describing what happened to them) but instead of flattening or zero feeling guilty antisocial behavior he bursts into tears indicating perhaps he was suppressing the urge to cry all along eventhough it didn't seem like it...at least to me...another indicator of a secretive personality. And lastly 4: He may have attacked his mom because she was seeming better. Either because it was so nerve wracking that she may go back to how she was, (how long would she really be good and healthy?!?!) or because he thought she was lying and not taking the meds and just faking it and the dad had believed her, called off the divorce and all. If he thought she was pulling a fast one on the dad that could have been enough for one exhausted from such emotional rollercoasters. He didn't have the Benefit of the tox screening we knew about, that she really was taking them. Could take a month or more to really see a change or a lack of manic episode. Sooo.. too long of an opinion and pure speculation but it's what I think is most likely the sad truth; he snapped and killed his own mother. :(

Daisy A.

Agreed, Rhonda. The most likely scenario is that he did it. Whether or not that's enough for a decision in court, I don't know, I don't have all the information to have an opinion.

Susana M.

A great summing up even though I'm not as convinced of his guilt as you are. The lilac thing is a bit odd I agree, would have liked to have known what he said when confronted with his lie.

Sara N

yep I agree... was thinking with her taking her meds and life being good again hubby decided to break things off with mistress causing her to go after the wife yet no one thought to even ask her? very strange... Hope everyones doing well and Santa was good to you all, you too Mike xoxox

Dorvita

Really unsure about this one but surprised he was convicted with no physical evidence.

Sara N

When Something happens at two turdy you know it's gonna be suck.

Spike Spikerson

wow this was an interesting one!! thanks mike! i cant believe they didnt try and nail down a timeline more, because when would he have had the time to clean himself shower and clean his clothes? they didnt find any bloody clothes of his, and he definitely would have so much blood on him. There are definitely questions for the son, but its shocking to see how the system played out in this case

Jeanne Astolfi

Merci Mike! (I think he's innocent...)

Irene Veronica

As much as I would love to believe he is innocent, there are too many things that happened that make me believe he's not innocent. First, he had injuries on his hands that are consistent with a 2x4, and she was beaten with a 2x4, as well as it was the one in the garage that was missing. Also, he lied and told the cops he got those injuries at work, but they were on his hands before he went to work and also his coworkers all said those injuries were not from anything he did at work. Also he lied about planting "lilacs" at a friends home, and the friend wasn't even home, and there were no lilacs planted, so that hour he was missing, was fabricated, he was not even there, he just called and left a voice mail that he had been there, but he wasn't. He was home during the time of her death. There was no forced entry into the home, nothing was stolen, he had wounds on his hands from beating her with the 2x4. So here: Wounds consistent with her death on his hands - Highly Sus! (Covered up with lies). Access to her inside the home (no forced entry) - Obvious. (Admitted) Last person to see her alive - Obvious. (Admitted) History of animosity due to her being Bi-polar (Admitted) Fabricated alibi (planting lilacs at friends that were never planted) - Highly Sus. (Full lies to cops) Fabricated alibi voice mail (where he never mentions the lilacs at all) - More lies. Ex-Girlfriend who said he can lie and seem completely honest while lying, without guilt. (Busted)

Rhonda Lillie

You know !

Samantha Harnwell

love you Mike Merry Xmas

Ebbi Kjartansson

And to you Mike! What a special surprise. You're the best. Happy New Year to you and yours. I hope the worst of the move is over!

Malee

Thank you again Mike. Hope you are doing well!

Marty_61

Seems like a rage murder, seems like a woman scorned to me, the mistress should’ve definitely been looked at!

Samantha Harnwell

I don’t think he should have been convicted. Love ya Mike ❤️

Shirley Pitner

I want to know why Dad's girlfriend wasn't considered a suspect! W-T-F?!!!!!

Sandra Sherman

Mike Mike Mike Mike!

Alun Rhydderch

I don't know that she seemed spiteful. She seemed to recall her reaction to what he did during their relationship. She was betrayed and she's pissed about it. He probably did lie effortlessly to her. Doesn't prove murder, but all the feelings she showed during that ten second clip seemed pretty justifiable. I don't understand how, based on what was presented in this video, he could be convicted beyond a reasonable doubt??

Rebecca Pigney

Good old Mike. Love!

Oslo Zeimantz

Hi Mike! 🥳 Happy New Year!

Diane Hering

Hi, Mike! A new video - it's like a late Christmas present! I must say I totally desagree with the outcome of this one. Come on! There was more than reasonable doubt not to convict him. I think the prosecutor was very smart/dishonest introducing the second degree murder in the picture. They saw their case wasn't solid, and hoped the jury would fall for this trick. And they did! On another topic, I hope your moving has gone smoothly and you may now enjoy the rest of the holidays. Happy New Year! Love ya!

Paula Bernardes-Silva

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Evelyn McElroy

This is one of those cases where lack of evidence isn't enough to acquit; the jury is going to think about the son's hand blisters, the son's inability to account for his whereabouts, and absence of a robbery motive and just think the son had to have done it. The defense needed to find an alternate suspect to point at and failed to do that. I wonder, did anyone ever look at the husband's mistress? Presumably she would have been disappointed that Ruth's husband had apparently changed his mind about the divorce.

Big Tom Head

I believe this was a true miscarriage of justice. I have no idea if he actually killed his mother, but there was not nearly enough evidence to prove it. And clearly the prosecution realized that and so added the 2nd degree choice. Disgraceful.

Evelyn McElroy

Strange one. Ruth has defensive wounds, the son has not a scratch on him. I can’t believe there was no DNA under her fingernails. It may come out later that he truly didn’t do it, as it has happened for many other mysterious case such as this. If they were able to prove that he’d truly been wearing the same exact clothes all day then , wow… I’m speechless and torn between believing if he truly did this or not. Good stuff sir Mike!

Michael Morten

Awesome!! As a Michigan born, Ontario living true crime loving person - I love it! 😂😍

Kellie Polzin

Happy dance! A new video from you!

S. Noelle Melton

Great case Mike! Really compelling. Based on what you have shown it definitely seems like it didn't reach the beyond reasonable doubt threshold. But I do know this; I, for one, vote for more Irish slang and less cockney in your videos lol.

dougie

Thanks Mike! You da man!!

ludachrissy

Have a great week Mike! Thanks 😅! Is it 🌲🌲🌲 days until new year yet?

TruthMatters Bron

Thank you Mike

David Procell

What the whaaaaaat!? I didn’t expect a new video until after the new year!

Go ADHD Go!

Mike! I heard the music you often use in your intro (not this one btw) in a young person’s art video. It was fun, bc she has no idea how much that intro music means to us … It made me happy to hear it.

Zebra

Happy New Year to you!!

Lorithecat

Yayyyy

Britney McMullen