Gubernatorial Candidate Turned Murder Suspect

This is an episode of Inside the Tent, a podcast going behind the scenes of Campside’s award winning shows.Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.Just as Ashley Fantz was leaving CNN, a headline caught her attention, and she was determined to follow up. A conversation with Matt turned into a pitch, which turned into the second season of the hit franchise Suspect.Jonelle Matthews was abducted in December, 1984. She was one of the first kids featured on milk cartons, drawing national attention to the missing girl. Suspect Steven Pankey was finally indicted for murder and kidnapping in 2020.Ashley tells Matt what it’s like to report on a case that is still being adjudicated - both the challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, the trial helped to clearly establish the facts of the crime. But only certain people were willing and able to talk to Ashley.Was she able to speak with the victim’s sister and parents? What about the detectives who investigated the case in the 1980’s? And the suspect’s ex-wife?Ashley describes the reporter rules she follows - what’s on the record and how to treat sources delicately.Finally, listen to find out Pankey’s response to Ashley’s letter five years ago and what she’d ask him now if given the chance.Listen to Inside the Tent on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.Email us with questions or comments: [email protected] hope to see you inside the tent again soon. Subscribe now for updates on all of Campside’s hit shows. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit join.campsidemedia.com