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Murder in Oregon

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In January of 1989 the director of Oregon’s Department of Corrections, Michael Francke, was brutally stabbed to death outside his office in Salem. The murder was quickly ruled a “car burglary gone wrong” and pinned on a low-level drug dealer named Frank Gable, a man who Francke's own brother, Kevin, along with storied Oregon reporter Phil Stanford, believe has been wrongfully imprisoned for nearly 30 years. They believe Francke had uncovered a trail of corruption in the prison system— one that ledto the top of Oregon’s political establishment. Murder In Oregon follows the two men on a decades-long journey, bordering on obsession, into Oregon’s drug and crime-infested underworld to answer one question: Who really killed Michael Francke?

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August 4 · 14 min
Murder in Oregon: 2026 UPDATE- The Fight for Justice, Revisited
After nearly 40 years- including 29 spent behind bars- Frank Gable has officially been declared innocent of Michael Francke’s murder. It’s a stunning moment and a long-awaited measure of justice. But Michael’s murder remains unsolved. In this special update, Lauren Bright Pacheco is joined by journalist Phil Stanford and Michael’s brothers, Kevin and Pat, to revisit the case, reflect on Frank’s exoneration, and confront the question that still remains: What does justice for Michael look like now? Drawing on new revelations from Phil’s latest book, Who Killed Michael Francke- and How They Got Away With It, this powerful update returns to the case that, nearly four decades later, still demands answers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#555
Dec 18, 2025 · 41 min
#555 Lauren Bright Pacheco with Frank Gable
Early on the morning of January 18, 1989, a security guard found the body of Michael Francke lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the North Portico of the Dome Building of Oregon State Hospital in Salem, OR. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a stab wound to the heart. Michael Francke - who had a background as a military man, former prosecutor and judge, and then head of the New Mexico Dept. of Corrections where he rooted out corruption - had been hired by Oregon Governor Mike Goldschmidt to do the same in Salem, OR. Four months later, Police received a tip that Frank Gable, a petty criminal and police informant, was involved. 11 months after that, several other police informants had come forward claiming Frank was involved. Based largely on their questionable testimony, Frank was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. To learn more and get involved: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/murder-in-oregon/id1667171131 https://www.loevy.com/ To get involved in helping exonerees like Frank Gable rebuild their lives after release: www.after-innocence.org Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco 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.
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S4 · E11
Mar 6, 2025 · 42 min
11. Closing Arguments
The final episode, subject to future updates, of Murder on Songbird Road invites listeners and former interviewees to reflect on their thoughts and opinions regarding the case against Julia Bevely. Additionally, Bevely's legal team provides an update on the current status of her appeal process. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. CONTACTS: The Illinois Attorney General’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) Office of the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul Office of the Illinois Governor JB Pritzker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E10
Feb 27, 2025 · 42 min
10. Suspect
Bob and Lauren return to Marion, knocking on doors once again. This time, however, they uncover crucial footage that reveals significant flaws in the investigation’s hasty rush to judgment. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E9
Feb 20, 2025 · 46 min
9. Judgement
The infamous Huck’s footage exposes critical flaws in the prosecution’s theory, reinforced by a criminologist’s analysis of stabbing murders—setting the stage for Innocence activist Jason Flom to intervene and alter the course of Bevely’s legal battle. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E8
Feb 13, 2025 · 45 min
8. The Evidence
The access to the interrogation video and the collection of Bevely’s DNA raise concerns about official protocol and the broader objectives of the investigation. Additionally, the prosecution’s influence on the case comes under scrutiny. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E7
Feb 6, 2025 · 42 min
7. Close Calls
The State’s Attorney claimed Bevely’s account of encountering an armed assailant was proven false within days of the murder but a closer look into call records raises questions about other possible suspects. Wrongful Conviction Podcast Episodes: Julie Rae Michelle Murphy Melissa Lucio Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E6
Jan 30, 2025 · 45 min
6. Observations
The family of Jade’s father share their remembrances of a life tragically ended and thoughts on the woman they believe took it. Speculation as to what could have motivated the murder takes an unlikely turn, leading to Salem, Massachusetts. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E5
Jan 23, 2025 · 42 min
5. The Delivery
Weeks after she was arrested for the murder of her step-daughter, Julia Bevely realized she was expecting her fourth child. Her subsequent treatment during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a pre-trial detainee remain, next to the murder, the most disturbing aspects of the case. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E4
Jan 16, 2025 · 40 min
4. The Sentencing
The day of the sentencing, Bob and Lauren retrace the route Julia Bevely claims to have taken the morning of the murder with surprising results. Her increasingly polarizing fate is then decided in a packed Marion courtroom filled with contrasting emotions. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E3
Jan 9, 2025 · 38 min
3. The Timeline
Bob and Lauren connect in Marion, Illinois for Julia Bevely’s sentencing. Through a jailhouse visit with Bevely- and interviews with her family- a narrative emerges that is at odds with key elements of the prosecution theory in terms of the murder and the woman convicted of having committed it. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E2
Jan 2, 2025 · 36 min
2. The Arrest
Just days after the murder, the Williamson County State’s Attorney announced the death of Jade Beasley- and the arrest of Julia Bevely- in the same press conference. He claimed a thorough investigation had already been conducted, but glaring questions remain to this day. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S4 · E1
Jan 2, 2025 · 39 min
1. The Case
On December 5th of 2020, a blended family was ripped apart when police responded to a 911 call placed from a rural area in Marion, Illinois. At the scene, they would find an 11-year-old girl, brutally murdered and her hysterical 32-year old stepmother. Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at investigatingmurder@iheartmedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Dec 26, 2024 · 3 min
Introducing: Murder on Songbird Road
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E12
May 10, 2023 · 13 min
UPDATE 5/23: Frank Gable Exonerated
Kevin Francke and Phil Stanford join Lauren Bright Pacheco to share the news that Frank Gable, who was wrongly convicted of killing Oregon Corrections Director Michael Francke, has been completely exonerated as of Monday, May 8, 2023. They also discuss the reality that the murder of Michael Francke remains unsolved- and his real killers have never been brought to justice. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jan 19, 2023 · 2 min
Introducing: "Murder in Miami"
In the 1980s crime journalist Phil Stanford dove into the decadent and dangerous world of Miami just as the city was becoming the cocaine- and murder- capital of the United States. His path would place him in the crosshairs of a federal investigation focusing on a mysterious and controversial drug smuggling pilot who claimed to be an operative of the American government- all while flaunting his extensive illicit activity. Murder in Miami traces the connection between the murder of a missing Miami private investigator to the sprawling roots of an international money laundering scheme as Stanford tries to make sense of his role in a surreal story of spies, smugglers, killers and corruption. All reaching to the highest levels on both sides of the law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E12
Sep 30, 2022 · 4 min
Update: Frank Gable’s Conviction Vacated
Three years ago the Murder in Oregon podcast posed the question ‘Who Killed Micheal Francke?’ and on September 29th, 2022 a court answered: NOT the man who was convicted of his murder and spent nearly 30 years in prison. Reactions from journalist Phil Stanford and Michael Francke's brothers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jul 1, 2021 · 3 min
Who Killed The Vaughn Family?
Trailer 2 - On July 8th, we re-examine a case that’s been tightly closed to shed light on whether Christopher Vaughn was justly charged, tried and convicted- and explore whether pertinent facts and later developments that could have been utilized in his defense were overlooked or ignored. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jun 22, 2021 · 3 min
Introducing Murder in Illinois
Trailer 1 - In 2007, Chris Vaughn was arrested during a funeral for his wife and three children. He would be tried and convicted of their murders. To this day he maintains no memory of what occurred that tragic day 14 years ago. Murder in Illinois follows the complicated circumstances that led to Vaughn’s conviction, as well as the forensic evidence his supporters believe proves his innocence-in attempt to answer one question: Who killed the Vaughn family? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E12
Jan 9, 2020 · 40 min
12. Epilogue
In the final episode of Murder in Oregon, Phil, the Francke brothers and Mike’s friends and colleagues share their thoughts on Michael Francke, his murder and the individuals who’ve avoided justice for the past thirty years. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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