Shades of Murder is a true crime podcast dedicated to in-depth research and deep, thoughtful analysis of the world's most chilling and disturbing cases. Hosted and created by Alita Cauldwell, each episode meticulously explores the murders and motivations of violent criminals and delves deep into how law, culture, and society intersect. Episodes include serial killers, children who kill, female criminals, teenage killers, historical murders, indigenous cases, cold cases, marginalized victims, and dark, haunting mysteries. Criminology-based. No banter. Never sensationalized.
82: The Death Machine of Texas - The Curse of Johnny Frank Garrett
As a terrified, disabled young man pleads for mercy for a crime he swore he didn’t commit, the State of Texas remains hell-bent on carrying out an execution dressed up in legal robes. Years of appeals and habeas corpus petitions citing constitutional violations and untested DNA evidence fall on deaf ears in the criminal courts. As the death machine of Texas grinds toward its day of 'justice,' a death row prisoner’s last words leave an everlasting, mortal impact on the people who put him there.
Please listen to episode 81 first if you haven't already. This is part 2, covering the brutal murders of elderly victims, Narnie Bryson and Sister Tadea Benz, of Amarillo, Texas, and the wrongful conviction of Johnny Frank Garrett.
Research for Episode 82 includes: Official investigative reports, Criminal Court of Appeals, Habeas Corpus Appeals, and The Last Word Documentary by Jesse Quackenbush
8 Oct 2026
Good vs. Evil in Amarillo: The Halloween Murder of Sister Tadea Benz (Part 1)
On Devil's Night in Amarillo, Texas, one of society’s most vulnerable would become a target of a sadistic predator. The investigation into their shocking death would ignite rage and vengeance across the small Christian town. But as this murder case began to unfold, questions around who the true monster was would rise to the surface.
In Part 1 of this two-part special, we examine the brutal slaying of Sister Tadea Benz, the chilling echoes that mirrored an unsolved attack, and the system's villainization of 17-year-old Johnny Frank Garrett. With corrupt, desperate law enforcement and a defense team that seemed to be working for the other side, the stage was set for a miscarriage of justice.
#deathrow #texas #wrongfulconviction
Research for episode 81 includes: official investigative reports, autopsy report, court case files, and The Last Word documentary by Jesse Quackenbush
24 Sept 2026
80: Death Row Women - The Trials and Aftermath of Teenage Killer Christa Pike (part 2)
Only seven days to go until Tennessee’s planned execution of Christa Gail Pike takes place on September 30th, 2026. Part 2 of this deep dive into her case extends far beyond the gruesome headlines to examine the complex legal and psychological layers of the state’s only woman on death row.
This episode details her exhaustive final appeals, including her high-profile lawsuit that challenged Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, and the highly controversial medical and constitutional arguments surrounding her case. I explore the disturbing testimony and evidence regarding her “almost unbearably abusive background” and provide a criminological analysis profiling her actions through the lens of a thrill killer. Finally, the episode reflects on the true impact of the crime to honor the memory of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer through the heart-wrenching words of her mother.
Key Topics Covered in Part 2:
The Ongoing Legal Battle: Inside Christa Pike's multiple appeals over the years, including her most recent lawsuits over execution methods, medical and psychological controversies, and challenges to freedom of religion.
The Mitigating Evidence: A look at the severe childhood trauma, abuse, and mental health history that defense teams argued shaped her trajectory and culminated in the murder.
Criminological Profiling: A forensic breakdown analysing how Christa Pike is categorized as a classic thrill killer and the psychology behind her motive.
The Victim's Legacy: Shifting the focus away from the killer to honor Colleen Slemmer through her mother's perspective.
Make sure to catch Part 1 to hear the shocking case of the 1995 University of Tennessee murder, the chilling teenager’s confession, and the original investigation.
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DM me on Instagram @shadesofmurder_podcast or alitadogmasshadesofmurder@gmail.com to share comments, questions, or ideas for future episodes! Just please be kind :)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
2,277
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.2 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
84
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
77
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