In April 1979, the lives of two teenagers from two very different parts of the country were inextricably linked by murder. In Brewer, Maine, 17-year old Amy Banks awoke one night to learn that her father, Dr. Ronald Banks, had been murdered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
One month later, authorities in New Orleans arrested 16-year old Isaac Knapper and charged him with the killing of Amy’s father. But Isaac didn’t commit the murder.
This is the story of a wrongful conviction, a young Black man railroaded by the justice system, and evidence withheld at trial that would’ve saved him from a life sentence behind bars in the nation’s bloodiest prison.
This is the case of Dr. Ronald Banks, told by his daughter Amy Banks, and Isaac Knapper, the man once charged and convicted of his murder.
View source material and photos for this episode at darkdowneast.com/wrongfulconviction
Dark Downeast is an audiochuck and Kylie Media production hosted by Kylie Low.
The Murder of Crystal Perry (Maine)
BONUS: The Murders of Patricia Walsh and Mary Anne Wysocki (Massachusetts)
The Murders of Patricia Walsh and Mary Anne Wysocki (Massachusetts)
The Murder of Robert Joyal Part 2 (Maine)
The Murder of Robert Joyal Part 1 (Maine)
The Disappearance of Tammy Lynn Belanger (New Hampshire)
The Murder of Darien Richardson Part 2 (Maine)
The Murder of Darien Richardson Part 1 (Maine)
The Murder of Mattie Hackett (Maine)
The Murder of Beverly Polchies (Maine)
The Annie C. Maguire Shipwreck at Portland Head Light
The Murders of Luella Blakeslee and Debra Lee Horn (New Hampshire)
The Murder of Susan Randall (New Hampshire)
SOLVED: Janet Brochu & Geraldine Ann Finn (Maine)
The Murder of Richard S. Bellittieri (Maine)
The Murder of Debra Dill (Maine)
The Disappearance of Anneliese Heinig (Maine)
The Disappearance of Ludger Belanger (Maine)
The Disappearance of Kurt Newton (Maine)
The Disappearance of Kim Moreau Part 2 (Maine)
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