Bloody Angola: A Podcast by Jim Chapman

In this episode of “Bloody Angola Podcast”, Jim explores what many consider the most dangerous inmate ever incarcerated in the United States prison system, Thomas “Terrible Tommy” Silverstein.  Labeled a brutal killer and Aryan Brotherhood leader, Silverstein spent the last 36 years of his life in solitary confinement—the longest such stint in federal Bureau of Prisons history—under “no human contact” conditions at facilities like USP Marion and ADX Florence in Colorado. Chapters03:29 The early life of Thomas Silverstein.07:18 First incarceration.11:37 Rise of the Aryan Brotherhood.13:36 The first murder and its consequences.14:36 Transfer to Marion and a new beginning.21:21 The killing of Officer Clutts.22:25 Life means life.26:08 Transfer to ADX Florence.29:25 Silverstein's lawsuit.Join Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast

Updated with new informationIn the pre-dawn hours of August 16, 2012, a quiet trailer park in LaPlace, Louisiana, erupted into chaos as a group tied to the anti-government sovereign citizens movement ambushed St. John the Baptist Parish deputies. What began as a shooting in a refinery parking lot quickly escalated into a deadly firefight, claiming the lives of Deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche, while wounding two others.In this episode of “Bloody Angola Podcast” Jim dives deep into this case: the ideology fueling the sovereign citizens group led by Terry Smith, the roles of primary shooters Brian  Smith and Kyle  Joekel, and the arsenal recovered from the scene. We’ll explore the arrests of seven suspects, the emotional trials that followed—including Joekel’s 2020 conviction and death sentence—and the lingering questions around Brian Smith’s mental competency, which has prevented his trial to this day.Chapters05:55 A Town's Heritage: Laplace, Louisiana07:29 The Incident Unfolds: Valero Refinery Shooting11:59 Innocent: Tanisha Bright's Story19:15 The Shootout: Chaos at the Trailer Park29:16 The Aftermath: Investigating the Attack31:17 Sovereign Citizens: The Ideology33:32 A Family's Past: The Smiths' Background39:29 The Escape Plan: Terry Smith’s Scheme42:18 The Perpetrators: Who They Were45:55 The Second Shooter: Kyle Joekel Background49:26 The Co-Conspirators: A Deeper Look54:53 Testimonies: Voices from the Scene1:04:15 The Sentences: Justice Served?1:19:07 Honoring the Fallen: Remembering the Heroes

In the pre-dawn hours of August 16, 2012, a quiet trailer park in LaPlace, Louisiana, erupted into chaos as a group tied to the anti-government sovereign citizens movement ambushed St. John the Baptist Parish deputies.What began as a shooting in a refinery parking lot quickly escalated into a deadly firefight, claiming the lives of Deputies Brandon Nielsen and Jeremy Triche, while wounding two others. In this episode of “Bloody Angola Podcast” Jim dives deep into this  case: the ideology fueling the sovereign citizens group led by Terry Smith, the roles of primary shooters Brian  Smith and Kyle  Joekel, and the arsenal recovered from the scene.Jim explores the arrests of seven suspects, the emotional trials that followed—including Joekel’s 2020 conviction and death sentence—and the lingering questions around Brian Smith’s mental competency, which has prevented his trial to this day.#bloodyangola #podcast #louisiana #sovereigncitizen #crime #police #ambush

 Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola recently hosted its first-ever father-daughter dance in partnership with the nonprofit organization God Behind Bars. The event allowed incarcerated fathers to reunite with their daughters, some after years of separation, for an emotional and special bonding experience.Chapters01:39 APositive Story02:44 The Dance at Angola Prison06:11 The Importance of Father-Daughter Bonds09:50 Preparing for the Event 11:09 Anticipation and Excitement14:15 Moments of Reflection16:06 The Impact of Absence18:01 Emotional Reunion19:16 Brotherhood Join Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast

Jim Chapman brings you inside several stories from convicts themselves who spent Thanksgiving in prison.Chapters01:40 Thanksgiving in Prison02:19 First Thanksgiving Stories07:46 Pandemic Challenges09:55 Food and Family Memories14:16 Perspectives on Thanksgiving23:44 Emotions and Reflections28:57 Connection and SolidarityJoin Bloody Angola on Patreon for Commercial Free Early Releases and more here: www.patreon.com/bloodyangolapodcast