Ep 1. Evil in East Texas

In the season 2 premiere of The Devil Speaks, we are taken to East Texas to explore the heinous crime of a double murder that shocked the small community of Bridge City. The episode titled "Evil in East Texas" recounts the events that led up to the gruesome killings and the investigation that followed.

It all began when a concerned friend called the police for a welfare check at the home of 42-year-old Tammy Rogers. When the officers arrived, they found Tammy's lifeless body lying on the floor. Upon further investigation, they discovered that Tammy's boyfriend, Mark Wayne Rathbun, was also dead in the bathroom. Both victims had been shot multiple times.

As the investigation began, detectives uncovered a complicated web of relationships that seemed to spin out of control. Tammy had a tumultuous past, having been married multiple times and dealt with addiction issues. Her relationship with Rathbun was equally rocky - they had been together for a couple of years but fought often.

What made the case all the more intriguing was Rathbun's association with a motorcycle gang known as the Bandidos. At first, detectives suspected that the murder could have been gang-related. However, evidence quickly pointed to a more personal motive.

The episode interweaves interviews with law enforcement officials, family members, and acquaintances with real footage from the investigation. Detectives pieced together the events leading up to the murders, which are both chilling and heart-wrenching.

The investigation shows a violent motive behind Rathbun's murder, which involved a botched robbery. In contrast, Tammy was killed primarily because she was a witness to the murder and a target to hide evidence. The shocking events that take place offer insight into the darker side of human nature, where greed, jealousy, and anger lead to truly horrific crimes.

As the episode progresses, we find out more about the victims, the criminals charged with the murders, and the trial that followed. The details presented paint a graphic picture of the viciousness with which the crimes were committed and the trauma that the victims' families had to endure.

What sets this episode apart is its exploration of the psyche of the killer, revealed through recorded phone conversations between the suspects before and after their arrest. These conversations, analyzed by forensic psychologists, offer a glimpse into the manipulation and coercion tactics the killer used to convince his accomplices to take part in the horrific crimes.

In conclusion, "Evil in East Texas" offers a gripping account of a senseless crime that shook a small community to the core. By combining real footage, interviews, and testimonials, the episode presents a vivid picture of the events that led up to the murders, their investigation, and the trial that followed. It also delves into the psyche of a killer, giving us an unprecedented insight into the darker aspects of human behavior. Overall, it's a haunting exploration of the impact that violent crime can have on those affected and a testament to the human resilience and strength in the face of unimaginable grief.