This episode was recorded live before an audience at J. Rieger's headquarters. Ryan Maybee, the Co-founder and Managing Director of J. RIeger joined Jamie and Alex to discuss his killer cocktail and more.

In June 1928, Kansas City was thrilled to host the Republican Presidential Convention. Herbert Hoover was in town, but also were numerous bank robbers. Their audacious (and ill-advised) daylight bank robbery would lead to tragedy, with one individual murdered and several others injured.

Who were these men, and why were they allowed on the street? The answer might shock you.

This month's killer cocktail - The Pendergast, created by Ryan Maybee:

1 1/2 oz RIeger Kansas City Whiskey

3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth (Dolin)

1/2 oz Benedictine

3 Heavy dashes Angostura Bitters

Long lemon twist

Instructions: combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass and stir until cold and properly diluted. Strain into a cold rocks glass- Garnish with a long lemon twist

On a February afternoon in 1977, a routine lunch break on Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza ended without a return. A car reappeared where it was supposed to be. A woman did not. What followed was a quiet, unresolved disappearance that has lingered for more than four decades, marked by unanswered questions and gaps no investigation has been able to close.

Links & Sources

• Kansas City Star article
• Photo archive:
• Charley Project:
• Eastbound & Doomed:
• Join the Insider Club!

Killer Cocktail - The Mall Grab

Ingredients:

1 ounce rye

1 ounce Cognac

1 ounce Cynar Syrup

2 barspoons Bonal

Arak - to rinse the glass

Garnish: Orange twist (expressed and discarded)

Directions:

1. Rinse a rocks glass with arak then set aside

2. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until properly chilled and diluted

3. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice

4. Garnish with an orange twist expressed over the surface of drink, then discard

5. Cheers!

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

Where were you 44 years ago back in 1982? Were you even born yet? Now imagine spending those 44 years in prison, for a murder you did not commit. That was a reality for Kansas Citian Kevin Strickland, who was wrongly convicted for a murder he did not commit and was sentenced to a "hard 50" behind bars.

How did this happen? And why was Kevin not released when the evidence was overwhelming that he was not even there that night? Former Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker joins us again to answer all those questions, and to talk about her role in ultimately freeing Kevin.

This month's episode is sponsored by our good friends at West Bottoms Whiskey who want you all to know all about their limited release, maple cask finished rye whiskey.

This month's Killer Cocktail: "The Switchman":

The Switchman is the moment you realize the outcome was decided before you ever stepped onto the platform.

Ingredients

2 oz West Bottoms Whiskey Rye

0.5 oz Amaro (Nonino or Montenegro)

0.25 oz Demerara syrup (2:1)

2 dashes black walnut bitters OR Angostura bitters

Optional: absinthe or pastis rinse

Optional: Islay Scotch (for float)



Method

If using absinthe or pastis, rinse a chilled rocks glass and discard excess.

Stir rye, amaro, syrup, and bitters over ice until well chilled.

Strain over a large clear ice cube in the prepared glass.

Float a small barspoon of Islay Scotch on top, if using.

Garnish

Express an orange peel over the glass, discard or rest on the rim.

Have a couple of these and you won't be able to stay on track.

Episode links:

Kevin Strickland exonerated 42 years after wrongful conviction

Jean's blog post about Kevin Strickland in 2023

ABC news story about Kevin Strickland