Our card this week is Darnell Smith, the 5 of Diamonds from California.

Darnell Smith’s family never expected him – a pastor’s son and an ambitious student – to get killed in a hail of gunfire. For a young man without even a whisper of a criminal record, no one would have expected his life to end in such a violent way at the age of twenty. But Darnell Smith’s death became entangled in a world his family was never a part of — and left investigators scrambling to unravel what would soon become a neighborhood nightmare. For more than a decade it seemed like there was no hope for justice… but when our reports went to visit one of the crime scenes … they may have stumbled upon the key to solving this case.

Listen to the first-ever in-depth coverage of Darnell Smith's case only on The Deck.

• If you know anything about the murder of Darnell Smith in San Diego, California, on June 15, 2008, it’s time to come forward. Currently, there’s a $3,500 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of San Diego at 888-580-8477. You can also call Detective Barr’s desk phone at 619-531-2239.

Resources:

• A book by Francis Jones, Darnell’s stepmother: “Why? My Journey of Overcoming Grief.”

View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/darnell-smith

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
• To support Season of Justice and learn more, please visit seasonofjustice.org.

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers.

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

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Our card this week is Robert Mitchell Jr., the 8 of Clubs from New York.

When the body of Robert Mitchell Jr., a “gentle giant” and towering presence in Rochester’s bar scene, is discovered burning in a public park, detectives don’t know what to think. As rumors swirl and leads dry up, the case grows cold… until a witness comes forward with details so specific, only someone close to the crime could know them. Now, nearly a decade later, investigators believe they know who killed Robert… But proving it in court is another story.

• If you know anything about the murder of Robert Mitchell Jr., please call Rochester Police Department’s major crimes unit at 585-428-7157 or email them at MajorCrimes@CityOfRochester.gov.
• You can also call Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300 or submit a tip online here.
• You can listen to The Leighton Avenue Killings mentioned in this episode here.

View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/robert-mitchell-jr

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
• To support Season of Justice and learn more, please visit seasonofjustice.org.

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers.

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

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Our card this week is Jerene Matta, the Queen of Spades from Washington.

During the Yakima Police Department’s annual Christmas party, the news of 62-year-old Jerene’s murder shocked every officer and their plus ones. Jerene’s house was known for its security cameras – there were so many that you basically couldn’t enter the property without being filmed.

Why was Jerene targeted? And who was she watching on her cameras?

Or maybe the better question is, was someone watching Jerene?

• If you have information regarding the murder of Jerene Matta, you can call the Yakima Police Department at 509-575-6200. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can leave a tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477. You can also call Detective Shaw directly at 509-576-6791.

View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/jerene-matta

Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media.

• Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck
• Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck
• Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc
• To support Season of Justice and learn more, please visit seasonofjustice.org.

The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers.

• Instagram: @ashleyflowers
• TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie
• Twitter: @Ash_Flowers
• Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF

Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.