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The 1982 Lake Waco Murders of Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks shocked Waco, Texas, and remain a haunting case. David Wayne Spence was executed for the crime, but questions about the evidence and justice persist. The case has recently drawn renewed attention through the Crime Junkie podcast.
This two-part episode, INFAMOUS: The Lake Waco Murders Part 1 is scheduled for December 2, 2024, and Part 2 on December 9, 2024, while covering the case in rather new ways, it offered more insight into the events and the consequences of the same.
Crime Overview: Murder of Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks
On July 12, 1982, teenagers Jill Montgomery, 17, Raylene Rice, 18, and Kenneth Franks, 18, visited Speegleville Park near Lake Waco for a summer evening out. Tragically, they encountered individuals who would later be implicated in their brutal murders. The next day, the bodies of Jill and Raylene were found near a wooded area in the park.
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The two girls appeared to have been brutally and viciously assaulted. Both had been tied, s*xually assaulted, and stabbed repeatedly. Jill Montgomery's body showed signs of a brutal attack with multiple stab wounds, suggesting a fierce struggle.
Her body appeared to have been moved, possibly to conceal the crime. Kenneth Franks, found nearby, also had stab wounds to the chest and abdomen, indicating he likely struggled with the attackers and was their first victim before they turned to Jill and Raylene Rice.
There were defensive wounds on his body, indicating he fought back, but the attack overwhelmed him. The crime scene seemed to be that of a chaotic struggle. Blood splatters and dislodged earth indicated a violent, long-drawn-out attack.
The evidence suggested that the victims had been moved about during the assault, likely in an attempt to conceal the bodies, and the arrangement of the bodies further heightened suspicion of ritualistic elements involved in the crime.
Multiple stab wounds were inflicted on Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks, some of them after death, indicating a depth of violence that was uncontrolled and unbridled.
The investigation and suspects
In the aftermath of the killing, the Waco Police Department began a comprehensive investigation to identify who committed the murders. This case soon drew attention within the local and national communities. It was led by Officer Truman Simons, with his fellow officers Ramon Salinas and Dennis Baier.
Police had few leads initially; however, they soon focused on a suspect in Muneer Mohammed Deeb, a gas station owner who was said to have a controversy-ridden relationship with one of the victims. The investigation, however, took a twist as the authorities felt that Deeb had staged the murders to collect insurance money.
It was alleged that Deeb had a life insurance policy on a woman named Gayle Kelley, who resembled Jill Montgomery. The killers mistakenly targeted Jill, and to eliminate witnesses, they also murdered Raylene and Kenneth. During the investigation, brothers Gilbert and Anthony Melendez were arrested alongside David Wayne Spence, suspected of being hired by Deeb, though no conclusive evidence linked them to the crime scene.
The case thus hinged on such uncertain evidence as the questionable examination into a supposed bite mark from the alleged murderer's own and confessions by the two Melendez brothers. David Wayne Spence was convicted and sentenced to death, but Deeb and the Melendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison.
The basis of the conviction was testimony based on forensic evidence and the testimonies of the inmates; however, with time, discrepancies arose regarding the legitimacy of the evidence.
Controversies and appeals
As the trial went on, holes began to appear in the case. The bite mark evidence that had played a central role in Spence's conviction would eventually be discredited. Forensic odontologist Homer Campbell testified that the victims' bodies contained matching Spence dental impressions in the bite marks.
This method of identification has since been criticized and challenged by many forensic experts who claimed that it is not reliable evidence. In addition to the dubious bite mark testimony, there was a conflicting confession from the Melendez brothers, who later denied making the confessions after accusing law enforcement officials of coercion.
Their confessions became suspect, considering they first denied involvement in the crime. Spence maintained his defense; he never accepted the offense but was executed in 1997 after lawyers from the Texas Resource Center appealed to bring a stop to his execution date claiming the state had improperly carried out the case.
Additionally, they said that the evidence used against him during all court sessions was flaccid. The case was reopened many years later, and evidence came forth suggesting that the convictions were probably wrongful. Deeb was released from prison in 1993 after his conviction was overturned. Many questions remain, including whether the real culprits were ever punished.
With episodes dedicated to the case, Crime Junkie Podcast continues to explore the mysteries and unresolved questions that surround the Lake Waco Murders. The tragedy of what happened to Jill Montgomery, Raylene Rice, and Kenneth Franks is a painful part of Waco's history, and the case continues to captivate true crime enthusiasts, legal scholars, and those who seek justice for the victims.
