Episode 35: The Controversial Case of Amy Mullis

Similar to the American Gothic painting, the Mullis family portrayed the positive image of rural American values. Todd a farmer, and Amy a nurse and farmer, chose the rural area of Earlville, IA to raise their three children while operating a hog farm. The community was chilled to the bone when Amy Mullis was found, stabbed in the family’s shed. After being rushed to the hospital by her husband and ambulances, Amy was pronounced dead. Her husband reported the incident as an accident, however Amy’s autopsy showed signs otherwise. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of Todd Mullis, Amy’s husband, despite one their children giving him an alibi. To this day, Todd maintains his innocence and has gained support all around the country. Was Amy truly murdered by her own husband? 

 

Sources:

"A woman is impaled by a corn rake – but do her fatal injuries add up to murder?” by Jim Axelrod on CBS News: 48 Hours April 24, 2024 (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amy-mullis-iowa-farmer-corn-rake-murder/)

https://www.leonard-mullerfh.com/obituary/Amy-Mullis

“Delaware County murder sentence under question with new post-conviction relief request” by The Nesheiwat Law Group on The Nesheiwat Law Group, PLLC (https://thenesheiwatlawgroup.com/delaware-county-murder-sentence-under-question-with-new-post-conviction-relief-request/)

“Murder in the Barnyard” on Killer Cases on Hulu on February 18, 2021

https://www.bestplaces.net/city/iowa/earlville

“Death of Woman from Earlville Ruled a Homicide” by The Gazette in The Iowa Gazette on December 8, 2018

“Iowa Man Accused of Stabbing Wife to Death with a Corn Rake” by Luke Nozicka in The Des Moines Register on March 1, 2019

“Earlville Man Arrested in Wife’s November Death” in The Courier on March 1, 2019

“Earlville Man Accused of Using Corn Rake to Fatally Stab Wife” by Trish Mehaffey in The Iowa Gazette on March 1, 2019

“Man Accused of Killing Wife Wants Trial Moved” by Trish Mehaffey in The Iowa Gazette on June 7, 2019

“Todd Mullis Trial: Kelly Kruse Forensic Pathologist” on Rottweiler Investigations YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIRYQRIRQf4)

“Todd Mullis Trial: Jerry Frasher” on Rottweiler Investigations YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4y-2itR5Eg)   

“Todd Mullis Trial: Todd Mullis – State Cross” on Rottweiler Investigations YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZFxbAka6Y)    

“Todd Mullis Trial: Todd Mullis – Patricia and Carrie” on Rottweiler Investigations YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm3VxCdgLQs)     

“Todd Mullis' attorney reveals new details around alleged mistakes in original murder trial” by Max Tedford on KWWL.COM on April 18, 2023 (https://www.kwwl.com/news/crime-courts/todd-mullis-attorney-reveals-new-details-around-alleged-mistakes-in-original-murder-trial/article_2a810d30-dd54-11ed-9bf5-53d7530f1182.html)

“Evidence in the Amy Mullis corn rake murder case” on CBS News 48 Hours on December 1, 2021 (https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/amy-mullis-corn-rake-death-evidence/2/)

“Trial scheduled to begin in eastern Iowa corn rake slaying” by Associated Press in The Des Moines Register on September 16, 2019 (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2019/09/16/eastern-iowa-crime-corn-rake-slaying-trial-begin-todd-amy-mullis-earlville-dubuque-county-murder/2346023001/)