TRUE CRIME ROUNDUP: A botched execution and the crime that led to it, plus updates to the Lindsay Clancy case

Lauren Barry (0:02)

This is a True Crime Roundup from The On Deadline Podcast. We explore crime stories reported on by Audacy's radio newsrooms across the country. I'm your host, Lauren Barry. This week, we'll listen to the latest developments in the case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of strangling her three young children to death. Last month, her murder trial ended in a mistrial. And it's still unclear whether a new trial will be held. We'll also dive into the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer and the botched execution of her convicted murderer, a story that's been making headlines.

50-year-old Christa Pike still remained alive but in critical condition this weekend days after her scheduled execution on September 30th.

First, we'll check in on quick crime updates from around the nation. Starting with an update on the Chipotle murder out of Detroit. Here's Audacy's station, WWJ Newsradio, with the report.

SPEAKER_2 (1:10)

A very short hearing this morning for the man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deadly stabbing of a Chipotle worker in downtown Detroit. The attorney for Devon Watson, Charles Longstreet, requested a competency exam.

Charles Longstreet (1:23)

Your Honor, at this time, based on my preliminary investigation to the facts of the case, along with my initial interview with my client, I think it would be prudent at this time for the defense to request a competency evaluation for both competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility.

SPEAKER_2 (1:39)

And joining us live with more is WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton. And Charlie, nothing surprising there?

Charlie Langton (1:45)

Nothing surprising at all. In fact, it was a two-minute hearing. In fact, Devin Watson was not even present at the hearing. He doesn't have to be. But the attorney, as you just heard, Charles Longstreet, asked for his client, 42-year-old Devon Watson, to order a competency exam. And pretty much without objection, the judge did. He's being charged with first-degree murder because his attorney says that he may not understand the charges against him and he may not be able to assist the attorney. That's the purpose of a competency exam at this point in time. We're talking about the death of 34-year-old Jaquia Wicks, who was just taking a break from her downtown Detroit, Chapulte job. Now, there's still a memorial to her in the alley where she was stabbed. Now the judge set a December date for the competency exam. Let's see what happens. If he doesn't understand the charges, then they'll have to proceed in a different way. But if he does, the case will go on and the prosecutor will go through the preliminary exam and ultimately trial. Reporting live, Charlie Leighton, WWJ Newsradio, 950

SPEAKER_2 (2:47)

Hey Charlie, do you have any idea what those competency exams entail? Like how they do it, what they're testing for?

Charlie Langton (2:53)

Yes, it's an evaluation by a qualified psychologist, usually. And what they're looking for is does the defendant in this case, Devon Watson, understand that he's being charged with first degree murder? That's the one. And number two is can he assist his attorney in defending the case? That's the only issue that will be important at this point in time. There are some other areas later on, not guilty by reason of insanity, et cetera. But at this point in time, today, right now, does he understand the charges against him? So it's an evaluation and then it's done. There's various agencies that will do exactly sure where they're going to go, but they'll get it and hopefully they'll get it done before that December. I think it's the second. I forget. I think it's the second, December 2nd, is the date that they'll have the exam. And then the judge will make a decision. And that will be really the issue at this point in time.

Lauren Barry (3:49)

Next, we have an update on a woman and her boyfriend accused of killing that woman's four-year-old son. Here's Odyssey Station, KYW Newsradio in Philadelphia with the details.

SPEAKER_6 (4:04)

And prosecutors and defense attorneys wrapped up closing arguments in the trial against a mother and her boyfriend accused of killing her four-year-old son. Here's KYW's Sonny Morgan in the courtroom.

Sonny Morgan (4:14)

A defense lawyer for Dominique Bailey told the jury that prosecutors did not prove his client premeditated the murder of her son, four-year-old Demarie Carter. He says she was a victim as well, and her fast-moving relationship with Kevin Spencer led her to neglect her child. Despite testimony from the medical examiner, who ruled Demarie's death as a homicide, Spencer's lawyer says there's still no proof as to how it happened. He also told jurors that Bailey failed as a mother, and referred to her early claim of Demarie being killed in a car accident in December of 2023 Before their closing arguments, prosecutors read aloud a transcript of a voicemail Bailey left at CHOP asking to check on her son. Officials say there was no record of the boy being admitted to the hospital. Both sides referred to testimony from Bailey's father, who told the courtroom he cared for his grandson and tried to potty train him right before his death. The father testified that once he told his daughter to follow rules and take care of her son, she left and moved in with Spencer. Prosecutors used cell phone records and surveillance footage from Spencer's apartment to prove their case. Footage showed Spencer with the same duffel bag Tamari was found in. Bailey and Spencer waived their right to testify in court. At the Criminal Justice Center, Sonny Morgan, KYW Newsradio, 1039 FM.