Description:

In 1967, Frank Athen Walls was born blue, a medical condition that would mark the beginning of a troubled life.

By 19, he became one of America's youngest serial killers, leaving a trail of victims across Florida's beaches and neighborhoods.

This episode explores his descent from a struggling teen to death row inmate, through the heartbreaking stories of Tommie Lou Whiddon, Cynthia Condra, Audrey Gygi, and the double homicide of Edward Alger and Ann Peterson.

It’s a haunting examination of mental illness, justice, and the lives forever changed by a young man's brutal choices.

Welcome back to another episode of Almost Fiction.

Sources:

Supreme Court of Florida. No. 80,364. Frank A. Walls vs. State of Florida. July 7, 1994.

Supreme Court of Florida. No. SC03-633. Frank A. Walls vs. State of Florida. No. SC03-1955. February 9, 2006.

Walls admits to three more murders. Author Not Noted for NWFDailyNews.com. October 6, 1994.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_A._Walls

Serial killer remains reviled after 30 years. By Tom McLaughlin for NWFDailyNews.com. December 3, 2016. https://archive.ph/20250307213558/https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/03/serial-killer-remains-reviled-after-30-years/14802878007/.

Remembering Tommie Lou: Thirty year anniversary of death approaching. By Kelly Humphrey for NWFDailyNews.com. March 21, 2015. https://archive.ph/20250308113334/https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/2015/03/21/1-454411/33963039007/.

Serial killer Frank Walls ruled smart enough to be held responsible for 1980s-era murders. By Tom McLaughlin for Northwest Florida Daily News. November 30, 2021.

Death sentence again upheld for Okaloosa County serial killer. By WEAR staff for WEARNews.com. February 22, 2023.

https://archive.ph/20250308114040/https://weartv.com/news/local/death-sentence-again-upheld-for-okaloosa-county-serial-killer.

In this gripping true crime episode, we unravel the story of George Kent Wallace, a man infamously known as "The Mad Paddler", whose decades-long trail of violence haunted communities across North Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

Explore how Wallace, hiding in plain sight and exploiting law enforcement failures, preyed on young victims in a chilling pattern of kidnapping, assault, and murder.

We delve into his troubled upbringing, the red flags ignored, and the loopholes in the justice system that let him evade capture time and again.

Featuring survivor accounts, expert analysis, and a deep dive into court records, this episode provides a sobering look at the enduring impact on victims’ families and the questions that still linger.

If you’re searching for true crime podcasts about serial killers, unsolved mysteries, and the failures that let monsters thrive in the shadows, this episode will keep you listening until the very end.

Sources:

WALLACE v. STATE. 1995 OK CR 19. 893 P.2d 504. Case Number: C-91-309. Decided: 03/27/1995. Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.

George Kent Wallace, Petitioner-appellant, v. Ron Ward, Warden, Oklahoma State Penitentiary, Respondent-appellee, 191 F.3d 1235 (10th Cir. 1999). September 10, 1999.

George Kent Wallace faces executioner. By Jimmy Tomlin for High Point News Enterprise. May 5, 2016. https://www.swtimes.com/story/news/2016/05/05/george-kent-wallace-faces-executioner/24258309007/.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13768431/george_kent-wallace

KIDNAPPER CONFESSES TO BOYS' SLAYINGS. By Unknown Author for Greensboro.com. January 5, 1991. https://greensboro.com/kidnapper-confesses-to-boys-slayings/article_a3b660ac-95dd-5e70-816e-7f4abf769be2.html.

Killer of two teens set for execution. By Unknown Author for UPI.com. August 10, 2000. https://www.upi.com/Archives/2000/08/10/Killer-of-two-teens-set-for-execution/6696965880000/.

Paddler moves on to murder — and to Fort Smith. By Staff Writer for Fort Smith Times Record. May 4, 2016. https://www.swtimes.com/story/news/2016/05/04/paddler-moves-on-to-murder/26314986007/.

WALLACE v. STATE (1997). Court of Criminal Appeals of Oklahoma. George Kent WALLACE, Petitioner, v. The STATE of Oklahoma, Respondent. No. PC-95-1246. Decided: March 18, 1997.

Man executed in deaths of Arkansas teens. By Unkown Author for NewsOn6.com

https://www.newson6.com/story/5e3684f02f69d76f6209a383/man-executed-in-deaths-of-arkansas-teens

Escaped victim watches killer's execution. By Bobby Ross Jr. for TheOklahoman.com. August 11, 2000.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2000/08/11/escaped-victim-watches-killers-execution/62186701007/

true crime podcast, serial killer stories, unsolved crimes, George Kent Wallace, The Mad Paddler, North Carolina crime, Arkansas true crime, Oklahoma murders, kidnapping case, survivor testimony, notorious criminals, infamous murderers, law enforcement failure, 20th century crime, real crime stories, criminal psychology, court transcripts, chilling confessions, justice system flaws, victim stories, dark history podcast, crime investigation, killer documentary, Spotify exclusive true crime, trending true crime, missing persons, crime scene, chilling podcast, disturbing cases, shocking crimes

Description:

Exploring one of Connecticut's most infamous true crime cases, this episode delves deep into the chilling story of Todd Rizzo, aka "The Sledgehammer Killer." Discover how an 18-year-old former Marine lured a 13-year-old boy to his death "just to see what it felt like," and unravel the complex web of psychological, social, and legal issues raised by the case. With court records, expert testimony, appeals, and local news insight, we examine the factors that shaped both Rizzo’s life and the outcome of his trial, including major debates about the death penalty, childhood trauma, and criminal justice reform in Connecticut. Perfect for fans of true crime, legal analysis, and stories that challenge your views on guilt, mitigation, and punishment.

Sources:

Supreme Court of Connecticut. STATE of Connecticut v. Todd RIZZO. No. 16197. Decided: October 14, 2003.

Supreme Court of Connecticut. STATE of Connecticut v. Todd RIZZO. No. 17527. Decided: November 29, 2011.

Sledgehammer Killer Wants Off Death Row. By Bob Connors for NBCConnecticut.com. October 22, 2010.

Connecticut court bars execution of 11 death row inmates. By Pat Eaton-Robb for The Associated Press. August 13, 2015. https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/courts/2015/08/13/connecticut-court-bars-execution-11/33682632007/.

Death row inmate resentenced to life in prison. By Unknown Author for TheAssociatedPress.com. May 9, 2018. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/death-row-inmate-resentenced-to-life-in-prison-2/.

Connecticut Supreme Court upholds death penalty, sentence of convicted murderer Todd Rizzo. November 21, 2011. https://www.masslive.com/news/2011/11/connecticut_supreme_court_upho.html.

On Death Row: Todd Rizzo. BY SCANMAN1722 for CT LocalPolitics.com. May 17, 2009. https://ctlocalpolitics.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/on-death-row-todd-rizzo/.

Mothers say convicted killer was once a trusted baby sitter. Unknown Author. May 29, 2005. https://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rizzo-todd.htm.