Ep 123 The High Society Murder pt 3

This story just keeps getting twisted and thicker…Tiff left us at part 2 with Phil’s friend, and Virginia’s little brother, being the cause of the street lights being out…the streetlights on the street John Gorrell Jr was found, deceased with two gunshot wounds to the head…

Phil's past behavior and childhood history raised concerns about possible mental health issues, with some suggesting sociopathic tendencies or neurodivergent thinking. 

At 8:30pm, the night of Thursday, November 30, 1943, Phil arrives at the Owl Tavern to meet Jack Snedden and Randall Morton, marking their first encounter in 10 days. After discussing Phil's upcoming meeting with John Gorrell Jr., tension arises when Randall insists on examining Phil's knife. As they converse, Phil reveals his intention to confront Gorrell, which Randall finds alarming. Despite Phil's attempt to assure Randall that no harm will come, Randall expresses concern for his friends. Phil manages to retrieve the knife from Randall without him realizing until later, emphasizing his desire to be prepared but not wanting to show up empty-handed.

From Jack's perspective, the situation escalates when Phil reveals his plan to kill John Gorrell Jr. to halt a kidnapping plot of Virginia Wilcox. Jack, disturbed by Phil's admission, attempts to dissuade him, but Phil remains eerily calm. After a brief confrontation with Randall, who doubts Phil's resolve, Phil leaves the tavern and is driven by Sidney Born to St. John's Hospital, where he intends to meet John. What happens next, no one can really know, except for Phil and John Jr. But whatever happened resulted in John's death. In the aftermath, Phil panics and seeks comfort from friends, but to no avail. As Phil grapples with the consequences of his actions, the community is rocked by the unfolding events, leading to further tragic outcomes, which raises questions about foul play and the motivations behind these violent incidents.

Join us for Part 3 of the High Society Murder. 

Sources:

• Voices of Oklahoma Podcast

• Murder in the Name of Love: The Phil Kennamer Trial by Jim Freese

• Justia US Law

• Tulsa World; 2015;2024;  

• Deadly Hero: The High Society Murder that Created Hysteria in the Heartland by   Jason Lucky Morrow

• Okemah Daily Leader, Vol. 17, No. 64, Ed. 1 Tuesday, February 3, 1942

• Morbid: A True Crime Podcast

• American War Memorials Overseas Inc