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Episode 4: Jessicah

Delia learns how both sides approached the August 2004 trial of Rayshawn Banner and Nathaniel Cauthen, and how Jessicah Black remembers preparing to testify as the star witness. The boys’ false confession arguments flounder despite law enforcement’s methods being less than sound.

Episode Photos

    • Episode Source Material

    • Winston-Salem Journal: Five teens could go to prison for life. By John Hinton. Published November 21, 2002. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Letters to the Editor. Joseph Bernard Jackson. Published November 26, 2002. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Letters to the Editor. By Marc Pruitt. Published November 27, 2002. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Letters to the Editor. By Chris Munnelly. Published December 4, 2002. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Teens may be tried as adults in man’s death. By staff. Published December 10, 2002. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Keeping Kids Out of Trouble. By Victoria Cherrie. Published February 23, 2003. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Keeping Kids Out of Trouble. By Victoria Cherrie. Published February 23, 2003. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: DA weighs whether to try girl, 14, as adult. By Jim Sparks. Published May 24, 2003. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: DA weighs whether to try girl, 14, as adult. By Jim Sparks. Published May 24, 2003. Accessed February 6, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Five file to quash record. By Paul Garber. Published March 13, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Teens’ statements to police to be allowed in court. By Paul Garber. Published March 23, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Statement implicates 5 in death. By Paul Garber. Published March 24, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • The Associated Press via The Herald-Sun: Judge, Teen’s statements usable. By staff. Published March 24, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Judge in Jones case allows all five statements. By staff. Published March 25, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Murder trial opens with emotional testimony. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 12, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Teenage driver heard beating, she testifies. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 17, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Police testify against teens. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 18, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Only 1 killer suggested by teens’ defense. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 19, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: 2 get life in prison in Jones beating death. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 20, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • The Associated Press via The News and Observer: Teens guilty of murder. By staff. Published August 21, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Drivers’ roles in cases similar; outcomes differing. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published August 28, 2004. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Remnants of a Past. By Lisa Hoppenjans. Published May 9, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Defendants planned attack, witness testifies. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 13, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Teens deny role in death. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 12, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via NCIIC case file. No direct link.
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Witness was not charged in death. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 14, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Teenager gave false confession because he was scared, he says. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 18, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Witness’s motive assailed as jury gets case. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 19, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Three teens found guilty. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 21, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com (link #2).
    • Winston-Salem Journal: Three teens found guilty in Nathaniel Jones’ death, each get 14 years. By Lisa Hoppenjans Published May 21, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via NCIIC case file. No direct link.
    • The Associated Press via Rocky Mount Telegram: Teens get jail time for death. By staff. Published May 22, 2005. Accessed February 7, 2024 via newspapers.com.

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