#497 Jason Flom with Jerry Mark

Wrongful Conviction

Lava for Good Podcasts

True Crime

4.6 • 5.7K Ratings

🗓️ 28 November 2024

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In a 1976 case known as the “Cain and Abel Murders”, Jerry Allen Mark, a former Peace Corps volunteer and “hippie lawyer,” was convicted of murdering his brother Leslie Mark, Leslie’s wife, and their two children in their Iowa farmhouse. The prosecution argued that Jerry killed his family over a property dispute, citing alleged jealousy after Leslie inherited the family farm after their father passed. Authorities claimed he was nearby on the night of the murders and had purchased bullets similar to those used in the crime shortly before it happened. But no physical evidence was found that pointed to Jerry and witness statements which were withheld by the prosecution during his initial trial suggested he was miles away at the time of the murders. Nevertheless, Jerry was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to four consecutive life sentences without parole.

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://www.drake.edu/law/clinics-centers/clinic/wrongfulconvictionsclinic/

https://www.facebook.com/enicholscook/

https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/396-wrongful-conviction-junk-science-footwear-comparison-evidence/

Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

We have worked hard to ensure that all facts reported in this show are accurate. The views and opinions expressed by the individuals featured in this show are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Lava for Good.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	On November 1st, 1975, Leslie and Georgine Mark, and their two young children were discovered fatally shot in their Iowa farmhouse.
0:12.0	The extended family was notified immediately, except for Leslie's older brother, Jerry, who was on a motorcycle ride that took him from California to at least as far as Nebraska.
0:24.6	But a few inconsistencies about the first two days of his journey led authorities to doubt his alibi.
0:32.5	They theorized that he'd set out for the family farmhouse in Cedar Falls, Iowa,
0:37.1	to exact revenge for losing his stake in the family farm to his younger brother.
0:42.8	And despite evidence to the contrary,
0:45.2	the state produced enough circumstantial evidence and junk science
0:49.3	to convince a jury.
0:52.0	This is wrongful conviction.
1:00.6	You're listening to Wrongful Conviction.
1:03.0	You can listen to this and all the Lava for Good podcast one week early and ad-free
1:07.5	by subscribing to Lava for Good Plus on Apple Podcasts.
1:18.7	Welcome back to Ronful Conviction, where we have a case that pitted brother against brother
1:23.8	in a Canaan-Abel type of clash.
1:26.8	When it turns out that there were at least two other
1:29.3	motivated parties, none of whom were our guest today. Our guest today is calling in from an Iowa
1:35.9	correctional facility. Jerry Mark, welcome to wrongful conviction. I'm sorry you're here, but we're very
1:41.6	honored to have you. Thank you. Now, to help explain what happened way back in 1975, and ever since, Erica Nichols-Cook,
1:50.1	who heads up the wrongful conviction unit for the Iowa Public Defender's Office.
1:54.3	Thanks for doing this with us today.
1:56.1	Of course.
1:56.6	Thank you for having me.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Lava for Good Podcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Lava for Good Podcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.