Bernie Tiede and the murder of Marjorie Nugent
Morbid
11/23/23
•89m
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When 39 year old Bernie Tiede confessed to the murder of his friend and companion, 81 year old Marjorie Nugent in November 1996, the revelation came as a shock to the small town of Carthage, Texas. The two had been inseparable friends since the death of Nugent’s husband in 1990 and as far as anyone in Carthage could tell, Nugent couldn’t have picked a more devoted companion than Tiede. Yet as the details of the crime began to emerge, a strange story began to take shape—Tiede’s supposed motive for the murder was to gain access to Nugent’s fortune, but what he did with that money once he had access defied the logic and expectations of greed.
The story of Bernie Tiede and Marjorie Nugent should have ended with the trial and conviction of Tiede, but a few years later, Bernie’s story became the subject of a big Hollywood film, shining a spotlight on the story and raising new questions about the extent of Bernie’s responsibility for the murder. Tiede remains a rarity in the history of American crime: a sympathetic killer almost no one in town wanted to see convicted.
Thank you to the wonderful David White, of the Bring me the Axe podcast, for research assistance
References
Associated Press. 1997. "Man indicted in death of banker's widow." Austin American-Statesman, August 29: 91.
—. 1999. "Shreveport man testifies about 'inappropriate kiss' he witnessed between murder suspect and victim." Marshall News Messenger, February 3: 6.
—. 1998. "Mistrial declared in confessed widow killer case; trial moved." Odessa American, October 28: 16.
Bernhardt Tiede, II v. The State of Texas. 2002. 12-99-00182-CR (Twelfth District Court of Appeals (Tyler, Texas), November 2).
Cieply, Michael, and David Montgomery. 2014. "Murderer who inspired the film 'Berni' is released to the director's garage." New York Times, May 8.
Grissom, Brandi. 2014. "Over 15 years, a town's stance on a convict shifts." New York Times, February 9.
Halmark, Bob. 2012. Carthage residents react to Bernie movie. March 8. Accessed June 13, 2023. https://www.kltv.com/story/17106798/carthage-residents-react-to-bernie-movie/.
Hollandsworth, Skip. 1998. "Midnight in the Garden of East Texas." Texas Monthly, Janaury.
Jacobs, Janet. 1997. "Slaying, arrest stun town." Longview News-Journal , August 21: 1.
—. 1998. "Deputy testifies about Tiede's arrest, confession." Longview News-Journal, October 29: 7.
—. 1999. "Emotions run high in Tiede trial." Longview News-Journal, February 7: 1.
—. 1999. "Tiede found guilty of murder." Longview News-Journal, February 10: 1.
—. 1998. "Tiede returns to court." Longview News-Journal, October 29: 1.
—. 1999. "Tiede sentenced to life in prison." Longview News-Journal, February 12: 1.
—. 1997. "Homicide shocks Carthage residents." Marshall News Messanger, August 20: 5.
—. 1997. "Tiede's troubles mount as new charge is filed." Marshall News Messanger, August 22: 1.
—. 1997. "Officials freeze Tiede's finances as murder investigation continues ." Marshall News Messenger, August 24: 9.
Jennings, Diane. 2012. "Austin attorney takes interest in Bernie Tiede's murder case." Dallas Morning News, August 7.
Longview News-Journal. 1998. "Confession gives details into slaying." Longview News-Journal, October 29: 1.
Marshall News Messenger. 1999. "Carthage man's trial set to begin in San Augustine." Marshall News Messenger, February 1: 1999.
—. 1999. "Tiede sobs as photos shown in court." Marshall News Messenger, February 4: 3.
—. 1999. "Videotape upsets Tiede jury." Marshall News Messenger, February 5: 2.
Rhodes, Joe. 2012. "A wacky Lonestar murder mystery." New York Times, April 15: SM40.
Texas Tribune. 2016. "Bernie Tiede painted as victim, calculating killer." Texas Tribune, April 6.
—. 2016. "Jury sentences Bernie Tiede to 99 years or life." Texas Tribune, April 22.
Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Previous Episode
Mamie Thurman
November 20, 2023
•67m
On June 22, 1932, a boy picking blackberries in rural Logan, West Virginia made a hideous discovery when he happened upon the dead and brutalized body of local woman, Mamie Thurman. At first glance, Mamie’s murder resembled a gangland-style execution; she had been shot twice in the head and her throat had been slit from one side to the other, as though whoever killed her wanted to make sure she didn’t survive.
The murder shocked the small town of Logan. Mamie was well-known around town as a devoted wife to her husband, Jack, a local police officer, and a good Christian who was actively involved in her church and community organizations. Yet as news of the murder spread, so too did rumors of Mamie’s infidelity and poor moral character. Ultimately, local Black handyman Charles Stephenson was arrested, tried, and convicted in a sensational trial that made national headlines. Yet many felt that conviction was obtained on questionable evidence and, in retrospect, largely the result of racial bias.
Was Mamie Thurman really just an unfortunate victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was there a more personal element? Indeed, evidence suggests there was more going on in the case of Mamie’s death than a simple murder and that a number of powerful men conspired to cover up the true motive for Mamie’s death, allowing the true killer to walk free.
Thank you to the wonderful David White, of the Bring Me the Axe pod, for research assistance
References
Charleston Daily Mail. 1932. "Negro was at killing scene." Charleston Daily Mail, June 27: 1.
—. 1932. "Pair guarded in Logan case." Charleston Daily Mail, June 26: 1.
—. 1932. "Tests show blood in Logan official's car." Charleston Daily Mail, July 28: 1.
—. 1932. "Two men accused of Logan murder." Charleston Daily Mail, June 23: 1.
—. 1932. "Two more questioned in Logan murder case." Charleston Daily Mail, June 24: 1.
Davis, F. Keith. 2021. Secret Life and Brutal Death of Mamie Thurman. Charleston, WV: Quarrier Press.
Hinton Daily News. 1932. "Large crowd at hearing of Logan men." Hinton Daily News, June 25: 1.
State of West Virginia vs. Clarence Stevenson. 1933. 172 S.E. 533; 7621 (Supreme Court of West Virginia, December 16).
Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Next Episode
The Murder of the Grimes Sisters
November 27, 2023
•74m
On the evening of December 28, 1956, fifteen-year-old Barbara Grimes and her thirteen-year-old sister, Patricia, left their home in Chicago, Illinois headed for a movie theater in Brighton Park to see the latest Elvis Presley film. When the girls failed to return home that evening as expected, their mother sent the two other siblings to wait for them at the closest bus station, but when they returned later without Barbara and Patricia, she became anxious and began calling their friends, before eventually phoning the police. Three weeks later, Barbara and Patricia’s bodies were discovered on the side of a rural road by a construction worker in Willow Springs, about an hour outside Chicago.
The murder of the Grimes sisters and the investigation that followed remains one of Chicago’s most notorious cold cases and one of the most costly and labor-intensive searches in the state’s history.
Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me The Axe Podcast for research assistance!
References
Chicago Tribune. 1957. "Suspect's mom says he's lazy, shiftless bum." Chcago Tribune, January 25: 3.
—. 1957. "Charged with murder of Grimes girls." Chicago Tribune, January 28: 1.
—. 1957. "Dsicloses how 2 girls ditched him and companion in theater." Chicago Tribune, January 27: 1.
—. 1957. "High points of the news." Chicago Tribune, February 3: 8.
—. 1957. "'I knew it!' sobs mother." Chicago Tribune, 01 23: 1.
—. 1957. "Nude bodies thrown beside country road." Chicago Tribune, January 23: 1.
—. 1957. "Rule out sex attack, strangling theories." Chicago Tribune, January 24: 1.
—. 1958. "Slayer of girl, 15, hopes he gets chair." Chicago Tribune, November 19: 1.
—. 1957. "Widen search for 2 young sisters missing four days." Chicago Tribune, January 1: 5.
—. 1956. "Young sisters reported seen in two places." Chicago Tribune, December 31: 6.
Gowran, Clay. 1957. "Re-enacts crime, and shows how he dumped two in ditch." Chicago Tribune, January 28: 1.
Lowry, Shirley. 1957. "Lost girls' mother keeps brave." Chicago Tribune, January 11: 3.
McGill, Nancy. 1957. "Mom denies Skid Row tale." Chicago Tribune, Janaury 28: 6.
Milwaukee Journal. 1957. "Grimes case tiff costs job." Milwaukee Journal, February 16.
Nix, Naomi. 2013. "1950s case gets new look from pro, amateurs." Chicago Tribune, 30 May: 1.
Taylor, Troy. 2015. The Two Lost Girls: The Mystery of the Grimes Sisters. Jacksonville, IL: Whitechapel Press.
United Press. 1957. "Bennie admits part in crime." Daily Chronicle, January 28: 1.
—. 1957. "New suspect is arrested." Daily Chronicle, January 24: 1.
—. 1957. "Two teen-aged girls killed." Daily Chronicle, Janaury 23: 1.
UWIRE. 2019. "'Chicago History Cop' making headway in Grimes sisters' murder case." UWIRE, October 25.
Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)
Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)
Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley
Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally
Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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