September 15, 2024 • 26 mins
Discover the shocking true story of Harold "Hal" Griffin’s murder in the peaceful retirement town of Prescott, Arizona, in this gripping episode of True Crime Case Files. This real-life murder mystery delves into a secret gay love triangle that turned deadly in July 2011.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to true crime Case Files, where we explore the
darkest corners of human nature and uncovered the secrets that
lead to tragedy. Today's episode takes us to the peaceful
retirees paradise of Prescott, Arizona, where a shocking crime was
brewing a secret gay love triangle that would turn deadly.
Harold Hal Griffin was a man many people in Cocomo,
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Indiana knew well. At sixty three years old, he had
spent over three decades managing a grocery store chain that
was popular in the community. Hall had a way of
making people feel welcome, whether they were customers or employees.
His friendly smile and sharp business skills made him respected
in his hometown. After retiring, Hall moved to Prescott, Arizona
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in search of a quieter life. Prescott, known for its
mild weather and beautiful landscapes, was a popular destination for retirees.
Hall settled into this peaceful town, spending his day's gardening,
attending local events, and relaxing. He enjoyed watching the news
and reading the newspaper to keep up with current events.
Hall often talked about his love for classic cars and
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would frequently attend car shows in the area. But Hall's
life wasn't as simple as it appeared. His marriage to
Mary had been troubled for years, mostly because of her
declining health. Mary had been diagnosed with brain cancer, which
had taken a toll on both of them. Hal, feeling
lonely and emotionally drained, started looking for comfort elsewhere. He
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began seeing other men for sex, but only a few
close friends knew about this very secret part of his life.
Hall found particular comfort and sexual relationships with two other men,
Leonard Lenny Bartholf and Pete Peterson. Lenny, a sixty year
old retired banker from Minnesota, had been Hall's first male lover.
Lenny was deeply attached to Hall, believing they would eventually
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be together once Mary's health declined further. The third person
in this love triangle was Pete Peterson, a fifty six
year old insurance adjuster who also lived in Prescott. Pete's
relationship with Hall was more casual, with him the two
meeting every now and then for quick sex, but he
secretly hoped that Hall would leave both Mary and Lenny
to start a new life with him. In the days
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leading up to his death, Hall seemed preoccupied. He had
confided in a close friend that he was considering making
big changes in his life. Hall was torn between his
responsibilities at home and his desires for freedom and happiness. Unfortunately,
his hopes for a fresh start would be cut short
by the tragic events that soon unfolded. On the afternoon
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of July fifteen, twenty eleven, Prescott, Arizona, was experiencing its
typical summer weather, hot and dry, with temperatures reaching the
mid nineties. It was around two thirty PM when Mary Griffin,
Hal's wife, realized she hadn't seen him all day. This
was unusual, as Hell usually spent his mornings tending to
his garden or reading the newspaper on the porch. Concerned,
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Mary decided to check the house, starting with the kitchen,
where Hall often prepared their lunch. As she entered the kitchen,
Mary was met with the scene of horror. Hal was
lying on the floor in a pool of blood, his
body still and lifeless. He had been stabbed multiple times
in the chest and abdomen. The kitchen was in disarray,
with broken dishes and overturned chairs scattered around the room,
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evidence of a violent struggle. The sight overwhelmed Mary, who
was already frailed due to her illness. Her initial reaction
was shock, followed by a wave of panic. Struggling to
maintain her composure, Mary managed to dial nine one one,
her voice trembling as she reported what she had found.
The nine one one operator, sensing the urgency in Mary's voice,
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immediately dispatched police and emergency medical services to the Griffin residence.
Paramedics arrived within minutes, but it was too late. Hal
had been dead for several hours by the time they arrived. Mary,
distraught and in shock, was taken to the hospital as
a precaution. She was unable to provide much information to
the authorities, her mind struggling to process the horrific scene
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she had just witnessed. The discovery of Hall's body sent
shotock waves through the quiet Prescott community. Neighbors who were
used to the tranquility of their retirement paradise were suddenly
thrust into the middle of a murder investigation. As news spread,
the reality of the situation began to sink in. Something
terrible had happened in the Griffin household, and the search
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for answers was just beginning. Detective Robert Bob Jensen arrived
at the Griffin residence on the afternoon of July fifteen,
twenty eleven. The summer heat was intense, with temperatures soaring
into the mid nineties, typical for Prescott, Arizona in July.
Jensen was a seasoned investigator with the Prescott Police Department,
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known for his methodical approach and keen attention to detail.
He had seen his fair share of crime scenes, but
the brutal nature of this one immediately struck him as
a crime of passion. The kitchen was in chaos, blood
splattered the walls and floor, and a pool of blood
surrounded hauled Griffin's lifeless body. A kitchen knife, the apparent
murder weapon, lay nearby, covered in blood. The scene suggested
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a violent struggle. Broken dishes, an overturned chair, and scattered
items indicated that Hall had fought desperately for his life.
Jensen carefully stepped around the evidence, noting every detail. He
knew that every piece of the puzzle could be crucial
in solving this case. Jensen was joined by Officer Ophilia Lopez,
a young but sharp member of the team who had
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a reputation for her quick thinking together, they began their
initial assessment of the scene. Jensen noticed that the house
showed no signs of forced entry, which led him to
believe that Hall had known his attacker. The struggle appeared
to have been contained to the kitchen, with no evidence
of the fight spilling into other parts of the house.
As the detectives worked, forensic technicians arrived to document the scene.
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They took photographs, collected samples of the blood, and dusted
for fingerprints. The technicians also swabbed the knife for DNA evidence,
hoping to find something that would lead them to the killer.
Jensen observed as they bagged the knife and other key
pieces of evidence, knowing these would be crucial in the
u S investigation. Outside, the neighbors were beginning to gather,
whispering among themselves. Prescott was a quiet town, and a
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murder like this was a rare and shocking event. As
Jensen stepped out to speak with some of the onlookers,
he was met with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Many knew how as a friendly, easygoing man, making the
violent nature of his death even more unsettling. Back inside,
Jensen and Lopez continued their examination. They were particularly interested
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in the time line of events, when had how last
been seen alive, and who could have had access to
the house during that time. Jensen made a mental note
to interview Hal's wife, Mary as soon as she was
able to speak, knowing that her testimony could provide crucial insights.
The investigation was just beginning, but one thing was clear
to Jensen. This was no random act of violence. The
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ferocity of the attack and the lack of forced entry
pointed to a killer with a personal connection to Hall,
someone who had been driven by strong emotions. The task
now was to uncover who that person was and why
they had turned to murder. Leonard Lenny Bartholf, sixty, was
the first person of interest in the investigation. Lenny had
been living with Hall and Mary Griffin for nearly a
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year under the pretense of being a down on his
luck friend whom Hal had taken in. In reality, Lennie
was much more than a house guest. He was Hall's
secret gay lover. Their relationship had been ongoing for several years,
beginning back in Indiana before Hall's retirement. Lennie, a retired banker,
was known for his meticulous and conservative nature. He had
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worked at the same Bank for forty years before retiring
to Arizona. Lenny had always been a reserved and disciplined man,
qualities that had served him well in his banking career. However,
beneath this calm exterior, Lenny was deeply in love with
Hull and harbored intense feelings of jealousy and insecurity. He
had hoped that once Mary's health declined further and she
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succumbed to her cancer, he and Hall could be together openly.
Lenny was protective of Howll, often to the point of possessiveness,
and he had struggled with the knowledge that Hal had
sexual relationships with other men, particularly Pete Peterson. Detective Robert Jensen,
an officer of Philia Lopez, brought Lenni in for questioning
on July sixteenth, the day after Hall's body was found.
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The interrogation took place in a small windowless room at
the Prescott Police Department. Lenni appeared nervous but composed, his
hands shaking slightly as he answered their questions. Jensen, who
was known for his calm yet probing interrogation style, began
by asking Lennie about his relationship with Hall. Lenny hesitated,
but eventually admitted to their romantic involvement, his voice cracking
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as he spoke. He insisted that he loved Hal deeply
and would never hurt him. Jensen then asked Lennie about
his whereabouts on the night of the murder. Lenny claimed
that he had been asleep in his room and had
not heard anything unusual. However, Jensen noticed that Lenny's story
had some inconsistencies. For example, Lenny couldn't explain why he
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hadn't heard the struggle that had clearly taken place in
the kitchen just a few rooms away. When pressed further,
Lenny became agitated, raising his voice and demanding to know
why he was being accused of something so horrible. The
detectives also asked Lenny about his relationship with Pete Peterson,
Hall's other lover. Lenny's demeanor shifted noticeably at the mention
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of Pete. His jealousy was evident as he spoke bitterly
about Pete, accusing him of trying to come between him
and Hall. Lennie's resentment towards Pete was clear, and it
gave the detectives a possible motive. Jealousy and fear of
losing Hall. Despite Lenny's emotional responses and the inconsistencies in
his story, he denied any involvement in Hall's murder. The
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detectives released him after several hours of questioning, but he
remained a key suspect. Jensen couldn't shake the feeling that
Lenny was hiding something, and he knew they needed more
evidence to either prove or disprove Lenny's involvement in the crime.
The second suspect in Hall Griffin's murder was his wife,
Mary Griffin. At sixty one, Mary had won once been
a vibrant and active woman, known around Prescott for her
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involvement in local church activities and charity work. However, her
life had taken a drastic turn and recently after being
diagnosed with brain cancer. The illness had left her weak
and dependent on Hall for nearly all her daily needs.
Though Mary had always been sweet natured, the cancer had
taken a toll on her memory and cognitive abilities, often
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leaving her confused and forgetful. Despite her illness, Mary's love
for Hall was undeniable. Their marriage had transitioned to become
more of a caretaker relationship with Hall dedicating much of
his time to looking after her. However, those close to
the couple had noticed that Mary seemed troubled in the
months leading up to Hall's death. She had moments of
clarity where she appeared aware that something was amiss in
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her marriage, though she couldn't fully grasp the reality of
Hall's secret life. Detective Robert Jensen and officer of Filio
Lopez decided to question Mary on July seventeenth, twenty eleven,
two days after Hall's body was found. They visited her
at the hospital where she was being treated for the moment.
The hospital was a quiet, sterile environment, far removed from
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the violent scene at the Griffinholme. Mary was resting in bed,
looking frail and tired, but she managed a weak smile
when the detectives entered the room. Jensen approached the interview
with care, knowing that Mary's mental stake could affect her responses.
He began by asking her about her relationship with Hall.
Mary spoke lovingly of her husband, recalling their early years
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together and how he had always been there for her
during her illness. She mentioned how Hall had become more
distant recently, often leaving the house for long periods without
explaining where he had been. However, she dismissed these thoughts,
attributing them to her illness rather than anything Hall had done.
The detectives then asked Mary about the knight of the murder.
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Mary struggled to remember specific details, a common symptom of
her condition. She couldn't recall hearing anything unusual that night,
and was genuinely shocked when she learned of Hall's death.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she expressed disbelief
that someone could harm the man who had cared for
her so lovingly. When asked if she knew about Hall's
relationships with other men, Mary seemed confused. She hesitated, then
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shook her head, saying that Hall had always been devoted
to her. However, Jensen noted that Mary's confusion could be
masking deeper emotions, perhaps a buried awareness of Hall's affairs
or a fear that she wasn't the only one in
his life. Despite her frail condition, Mary remained a suspect,
if only because she was Hall's wife and had the
closest relationship with him. However, the detectives knew that without
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clear evidence or a more coherent testimony, it would be
difficult to build the case against her for now. They
would have to keep looking for more concrete leads. The
third suspect in Hall Griffin's murder was Pete Peterson, a
fifty six year old insurance adjuster who had been living
in Prescott for several years. Pete was known in the
community for his calm, steady demeanor and his predictable routine.
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He was the kind of man who enjoyed its simple,
quiet life, and he was often seen at local diners
like Denny's or grabbing coffee at Dutch Brothers. Pete's involvement
in a sexual relationship with Hall was not well known,
but those who were aware of their relationship described it
as mainly being casual sex, unlike Hall's more intense connection
with Lenny Bartholf. Pete had been seeing Hall for about
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a year, meeting discreetly for sex whenever and wherever. They could.
To Pete, their relationship was more about companionship and physical
comfort than deep emotional ties. He knew about Lenny and
even saw him as competition, but he wasn't overly concerned.
Pete had pushed Hall to leave Mary and Lenny behind
and start fresh with him, but Hall had always been
hesitant to make such a drastic move. On July eighteen,
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twenty eleven, three days after Hall's body was discovered, detectives
Robert Jensen and Ophelia Lochez brought Pete in for questioning.
Pete arrived to the Prescott Police Department dressed neatly, his
expression calm but wary. The detectives, aware of Pete's steady personality,
expected him to be cooperative, but were prepared to dig
deeper if needed. Jensen began the interview by asking Pete
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about his relationship with Hall. Pete was upfront about their
sexual involvement, describing it as casual and admitting that they
had seen each other off and on for sex for
about a year. He spoke in a measured tone, careful
with his words, and avoided giving too much detail about
their relationship. When Jensen asked if Pete had known about Lenny,
Pete's face hardened slightly. He acknowledged that he knew about Lenny,
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but claimed he didn't see him as a serious rival.
How was his own man, Pete said he loved who
he loved. The conversation then turned to the night of
the murder. Pete explained that he had been home alone
watching television, specifically reruns of Law and Order Special Victims
Unit on USA Network, and had gone to bed early.
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He insisted that he hadn't seen Hall that day and
that they hadn't spoken for a few days before the murder.
His alibi was simple that the detectives couldn't find anything
to directly contradicted. When pressed about his feelings towards Hall
and the possibility of Hull leaving him for Lenny, Pete's
calm exterior began to crack. He admitted that the idea
of losing Hall had upset him, but he quickly composed himself,
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stating that he wasn't the kind of person to act
out of anger. However, Jensen noticed a flicker of emotion
in Pete's eyes, something that hinted at a deeper, more
complex relationship with Hall than Pete was willing to admit.
After several hours of questioning, the detectives released Pete. Although
he had remained mostly calm and cooperative, they were left
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with a sense that there was more to his story.
Pete's steady demeanor, while reassuring, also made it difficult to
gauge his true feelings. The detectives knew they needed to
keep an eye on Pete as they continued to unravel
the tangled relationships surrounding hal Griffin's death. On July twenty,
twenty eleven, five days after hal Griffin's body was discovered,
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the Prescott Police Department received a crucial leave in the case.
The day was hot and dry, typical for an Arizona summer,
with temperatures hovering around ninety five degrees fahrenheit. Detective Robert
Jensen had just finished reviewing the initial reports when a
call came in from a local hardware store, True Value,
located off Gurley Street. A store manager reported that someone
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had found something unusual in the dumpster behind the store.
Jensen and his partner, officer of Philio Lopez, quickly drove
to the scene. The hardware store was a familiar spot
in Prescott, known for its friendly service and wide selection
of tools and supplies. When they arrived, the manager led
them to the back of the store where the dumpsters
were located. A smell of garbage and the buzz of
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flies filled the air as Tom pointed to a large
black trash bag sitting on top of the pile. Inside
the bag, Jensen and Lopez found a blood stained shirt
and a pair of gloves. The shirt was torn and
soaked with blood, clearly connected to the violent crime that
had taken place in hal Griffin's home. The gloves were
made of lakex, the kind commonly used for cleaning or
handling chemicals, but they were also smeared with blood. Jensen
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carefully bagged the items as evidence and immediately had them
sent to the crime lab for analysis. While waiting for
the results, the detectives reviewed the security footage from the
hardware store. Unfortunately, the camera angle didn't capture the exact
spot where the bag had been dumped, but it did
show a shadowy figure moving near the dumpsters late at night.
The footage was grainy and the person's identity was unclear,
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but it gave the detectives a timeline for when the
evidence was likely discarded. A few days later, the lab
results came back, confirming that the blood on the shirt
and gloves matched hal Griffin's DNA. This was a significant
breakthrough in the case, suggesting that the person who dumped
the bag had been directly involved in the murder. The
discovery also indicated that the killer had attempted to dispose
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of evidence in a hurry, possibly panicking after the crime.
The police now had a strong piece of evidence that
could link the suspects to the crime. Jensen and Locas
knew they were closing in on the truth, but they
still needed to determine who had thrown the bag into
the dumpster and why. The investigation intensified as they worked
to connect this new evidence to one of the suspects
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they had already questioned. On July twenty four, twenty eleven,
just over a week after hal Griffin's body was discovered,
the Prescott Police Department made a breakthrough in the case.
The analysis of the blood stained shirt and gloves found
in the True Value Hardware store dumpster had revealed something crucial,
a partial fingerprint on one of the latex gloves. After
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running the print through the national database, it matched Leonard
Lenni Bartholf, Howl's longtime lover. Lenny Bartholf, a sixty year
old retired banker, had been living with Hall and his
wife Mary under the guise of being a down and
out man Holl had taken in. In reality, Lennie and
Hall had been involved in a secret sexual relationship for
several years, a fact that was unknown to most people
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in Prescott. Lenny was deeply in love with Hall and
believed that once Mary's health deteriorated, they would be together openly,
But Lenny had grown increasingly paranoid about Hall's other relationships,
particularly with Pete Peterson, the calm Placid insurance adjuster who
had been a casual sex partner of Hall's. On the
night of July fifteenth, Lenny had confronted Howl in the
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kitchen of their Prescott home. Lennie had heard rumors that
Hall was playing to leave him and start a new
life with Pete. Fueled by jealousy and fear of losing
the only person he truly loved, Lenny demanded answers. How,
feeling cornered, admitted that he had considered leaving Prescott with Pete.
This confession pushed Lennie over the edge. In a fit
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of rage and heartbreak, he grabbed a kitchen knife and
stabbed Howl multiple times in the chest and abdomen. After
the murder, Lennie panicked, realizing the gravity of what he
had done. He attempted to clean up the scene, but
the mess was too overwhelming. In his haste, he grabbed
the blood stained shirt and gloves, stuffed them into a
trash bag, and drove to the True Value Hardware store,
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where he dumped the bag in the dumpster. He hoped
this would cover his tracks, but the discovery of the
the items led the police straight to him. On the
afternoon of July twenty four, the police arrived at the
Griffin Holme with an arrest warrant for Lenny. He was
in the backyard tending to Mary's garden when detectives Robert
Jensen and Ophilia Lopez approached him. Lenny didn't resist arrest.
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He was visibly shaken, but showed no surprise When they
informed him of the charges. He quietly admitted to the crime,
saying he hadn't meant to kill Hall, but couldn't control
his anger. Hal's family, particularly Mary, was devastated by the arrest. Mary,
still battling brain cancer, was in shock, unable to comprehend
that her husband had been living a double life and
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that Lenny, whom she had trusted, was his killer. The
news spread quickly through Prescott, shocking the small community that
had known Hal as a friendly, outgoing retiree. The arrest
of Lenny Barthulf marked the beginning of the end for
this tragic case. The police had pieced together the puzzle,
revealing a story of love, jealousy, and betrayal that had
led to a deadly outcome, but the full story would
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only come to light in the courtroom, where Lenny would
face justice for his actions. The trial of Leonard Lenny
Bartholf began on October three, twenty eleven, in the Abapee
County Courthouse in Prescott, Arizona. The case had garnered attention
not only because of the brutal nature of the crime,
but also due to the scandalous details of hal Griffin's
secret life that had come to light. The courtroom was
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packed with locals eager to delve into the story of love, betrayal,
and murder in this quiet retirement community. The prosecution was
led by District Attorney James MacLean, a seasoned lawyer known
for his no nonsense approach in the courtroom. MacLean, a
fifty eight year old with a reputation for being tough
but fair, laid out a compelling case against Lenny. He
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argued that Lenny's actions were premeditated, driven by jealousy and
a deep fear of abandonment. McLean detailed how Lenny had
lived a double life, pretending to be a homeless man
taken in out of charity, while secretly maintaining a romantic
relationship with Hull. He painted a picture of a man
who couldn't bear the thought of losing Hall to Pete Peterson,
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and in a fit of rage, had murdered the very
person he claimed to love. The defense, led by public
defender Frankie Clark, took a different approach. Clark, a forty
two year old lawyer with a calm demeanor, argued that
Lenny's actions were not premeditated, but were instead the result
of a momentary lapse in control. She portrayed Lenny as
a man who had been deeply in love, confused and
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heartbroken by Hall's admission that he was planning to leave him.
Clark emphasized Lenny's clean record, his service at the bank
for forty years, and his role as a quiet, discipline
member of society who had never shown signs of violence
before this incident. She appealed to the jury's sympathy, asking
them to consider the emotional turmoil that had led Lenny
to commit the crime. Throughout the trial, Hal Griffin's family
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watched the proceedings with a mix of sadness and anger.
Mary Griffin, frail and devastated, sat quietly as the details
of her husband's double life were exposed to the world.
That a trail was almost as painful as the murder itself,
and her emotions were evident as she listened to the arguments.
After two weeks of testimony and evidence, the jury reached
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a verdict on October seventeen, twenty eleven. Leonard Barthulf was
found guilty of second degree murder. The jury believed that
while Lenny's actions were driven by emotion, they were still
deliberate and intentional. Judge Martin Harris sentenced Lenny to twenty
five years in prison without the possibility of parole, a
sentence that reflected the seriousness of the crime, but also
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took into account Lenny's previously clean record and the emotional
circumstances surrounding the case. The sentence brought a sense of
closure to Halgriffin's family, though it didn't erase the pain
of losing him. For Mary Griffin, it was a bittersweet
moment justice had been served, but the cost had been
the shattering of the life she thought she knew. As
for the Prescott community, the trial and its outcome left
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a lasting impact, a reminder that even in the most
peaceful places, dark secrets can lead to tragic consequences. After
the trial, life for those involved in the tragic events
of July twenty eleventh changed dramatically. Leonard Lenny Barthoff began
serving his twenty five year sentence at the Arizona State
Prison Complex in Florence. The once quiet and disciplined man
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now faced a stark reality behind bars. His future, once
filled with dreams of a peaceful life with hul Griffin,
was now confined to the prison balls. Lenny was a
model inmate, but his days were marked by the heavy
burden of regret and the memories of what he had lost.
Mary Griffin, Howl's willow, returned to her home in Prescott.
The house, once a place of love and memories, now
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felt empty and filled with the echoes of betrayal. Her
health continued to decline, worsened by the emotional toll of
the trial and the revelations about her late husband's secret life.
Friends and neighbors. Many of whom had rallied around her
during the trial, remained supportive, but Mary's trust in the
world had been deeply shaken. She spent most of her
days alone, tending to her garden and finding solace in
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her faith. Pete Peterson, the third person in the love triangle,
chose to leave Prescott shortly after the trial ended. The quiet,
steady insurance adjuster had become a reluctant local celebrity due
to the trial's media coverage. Seeking a fresh start, Pete
relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he found work with a
new insurance firm. Though he tried to move on, the
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events of the past haunted him. The casual relationship he
had with hul Griffin had turned into something much darker
and more painful than he ever expected. Pete avoided relationships
for a long time, fearful of the consequences that love
could bring. The Prescott community also felt the aftershocks of
the case. Once a quiet retirement town known for its
scenic views and peaceful lifestyle, Prescott had been thrust into
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the spotlight by the murder and trial. Local residents found
it hard to forget the grisly details and the way
their town had been portrayed in the media. The case
served as a reminder that even in a place as
tranquil as Prescott, secrets could fester and lead to tragedy.
As the years passed, the memory of hall Griffin's murder
faded from the headlines, but it remained a somber chapter
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in the lives of those it touched. The lesson was clear.
Even in the quietest corners of the world, the complexities
of love and betrayal can lead to devastating outcomes.
Welcome to true crime Case Files, where we explore the
darkest corners of human nature and uncovered the secrets that
lead to tragedy. Today's episode takes us to the peaceful
retirees paradise of Prescott, Arizona, where a shocking crime was
brewing a secret gay love triangle that would turn deadly.
Harold Hal Griffin was a man many people in Cocomo,
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Indiana knew well. At sixty three years old, he had
spent over three decades managing a grocery store chain that
was popular in the community. Hall had a way of
making people feel welcome, whether they were customers or employees.
His friendly smile and sharp business skills made him respected
in his hometown. After retiring, Hall moved to Prescott, Arizona
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in search of a quieter life. Prescott, known for its
mild weather and beautiful landscapes, was a popular destination for retirees.
Hall settled into this peaceful town, spending his day's gardening,
attending local events, and relaxing. He enjoyed watching the news
and reading the newspaper to keep up with current events.
Hall often talked about his love for classic cars and
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would frequently attend car shows in the area. But Hall's
life wasn't as simple as it appeared. His marriage to
Mary had been troubled for years, mostly because of her
declining health. Mary had been diagnosed with brain cancer, which
had taken a toll on both of them. Hal, feeling
lonely and emotionally drained, started looking for comfort elsewhere. He
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began seeing other men for sex, but only a few
close friends knew about this very secret part of his life.
Hall found particular comfort and sexual relationships with two other men,
Leonard Lenny Bartholf and Pete Peterson. Lenny, a sixty year
old retired banker from Minnesota, had been Hall's first male lover.
Lenny was deeply attached to Hall, believing they would eventually
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be together once Mary's health declined further. The third person
in this love triangle was Pete Peterson, a fifty six
year old insurance adjuster who also lived in Prescott. Pete's
relationship with Hall was more casual, with him the two
meeting every now and then for quick sex, but he
secretly hoped that Hall would leave both Mary and Lenny
to start a new life with him. In the days
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leading up to his death, Hall seemed preoccupied. He had
confided in a close friend that he was considering making
big changes in his life. Hall was torn between his
responsibilities at home and his desires for freedom and happiness. Unfortunately,
his hopes for a fresh start would be cut short
by the tragic events that soon unfolded. On the afternoon
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of July fifteen, twenty eleven, Prescott, Arizona, was experiencing its
typical summer weather, hot and dry, with temperatures reaching the
mid nineties. It was around two thirty PM when Mary Griffin,
Hal's wife, realized she hadn't seen him all day. This
was unusual, as Hell usually spent his mornings tending to
his garden or reading the newspaper on the porch. Concerned,
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Mary decided to check the house, starting with the kitchen,
where Hall often prepared their lunch. As she entered the kitchen,
Mary was met with the scene of horror. Hal was
lying on the floor in a pool of blood, his
body still and lifeless. He had been stabbed multiple times
in the chest and abdomen. The kitchen was in disarray,
with broken dishes and overturned chairs scattered around the room,
(03:14):
evidence of a violent struggle. The sight overwhelmed Mary, who
was already frailed due to her illness. Her initial reaction
was shock, followed by a wave of panic. Struggling to
maintain her composure, Mary managed to dial nine one one,
her voice trembling as she reported what she had found.
The nine one one operator, sensing the urgency in Mary's voice,
(03:34):
immediately dispatched police and emergency medical services to the Griffin residence.
Paramedics arrived within minutes, but it was too late. Hal
had been dead for several hours by the time they arrived. Mary,
distraught and in shock, was taken to the hospital as
a precaution. She was unable to provide much information to
the authorities, her mind struggling to process the horrific scene
(03:56):
she had just witnessed. The discovery of Hall's body sent
shotock waves through the quiet Prescott community. Neighbors who were
used to the tranquility of their retirement paradise were suddenly
thrust into the middle of a murder investigation. As news spread,
the reality of the situation began to sink in. Something
terrible had happened in the Griffin household, and the search
(04:17):
for answers was just beginning. Detective Robert Bob Jensen arrived
at the Griffin residence on the afternoon of July fifteen,
twenty eleven. The summer heat was intense, with temperatures soaring
into the mid nineties, typical for Prescott, Arizona in July.
Jensen was a seasoned investigator with the Prescott Police Department,
(04:37):
known for his methodical approach and keen attention to detail.
He had seen his fair share of crime scenes, but
the brutal nature of this one immediately struck him as
a crime of passion. The kitchen was in chaos, blood
splattered the walls and floor, and a pool of blood
surrounded hauled Griffin's lifeless body. A kitchen knife, the apparent
murder weapon, lay nearby, covered in blood. The scene suggested
(05:00):
a violent struggle. Broken dishes, an overturned chair, and scattered
items indicated that Hall had fought desperately for his life.
Jensen carefully stepped around the evidence, noting every detail. He
knew that every piece of the puzzle could be crucial
in solving this case. Jensen was joined by Officer Ophilia Lopez,
a young but sharp member of the team who had
(05:21):
a reputation for her quick thinking together, they began their
initial assessment of the scene. Jensen noticed that the house
showed no signs of forced entry, which led him to
believe that Hall had known his attacker. The struggle appeared
to have been contained to the kitchen, with no evidence
of the fight spilling into other parts of the house.
As the detectives worked, forensic technicians arrived to document the scene.
(05:44):
They took photographs, collected samples of the blood, and dusted
for fingerprints. The technicians also swabbed the knife for DNA evidence,
hoping to find something that would lead them to the killer.
Jensen observed as they bagged the knife and other key
pieces of evidence, knowing these would be crucial in the
u S investigation. Outside, the neighbors were beginning to gather,
whispering among themselves. Prescott was a quiet town, and a
(06:07):
murder like this was a rare and shocking event. As
Jensen stepped out to speak with some of the onlookers,
he was met with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Many knew how as a friendly, easygoing man, making the
violent nature of his death even more unsettling. Back inside,
Jensen and Lopez continued their examination. They were particularly interested
(06:28):
in the time line of events, when had how last
been seen alive, and who could have had access to
the house during that time. Jensen made a mental note
to interview Hal's wife, Mary as soon as she was
able to speak, knowing that her testimony could provide crucial insights.
The investigation was just beginning, but one thing was clear
to Jensen. This was no random act of violence. The
(06:49):
ferocity of the attack and the lack of forced entry
pointed to a killer with a personal connection to Hall,
someone who had been driven by strong emotions. The task
now was to uncover who that person was and why
they had turned to murder. Leonard Lenny Bartholf, sixty, was
the first person of interest in the investigation. Lenny had
been living with Hall and Mary Griffin for nearly a
(07:11):
year under the pretense of being a down on his
luck friend whom Hal had taken in. In reality, Lennie
was much more than a house guest. He was Hall's
secret gay lover. Their relationship had been ongoing for several years,
beginning back in Indiana before Hall's retirement. Lennie, a retired banker,
was known for his meticulous and conservative nature. He had
(07:32):
worked at the same Bank for forty years before retiring
to Arizona. Lenny had always been a reserved and disciplined man,
qualities that had served him well in his banking career. However,
beneath this calm exterior, Lenny was deeply in love with
Hull and harbored intense feelings of jealousy and insecurity. He
had hoped that once Mary's health declined further and she
(07:53):
succumbed to her cancer, he and Hall could be together openly.
Lenny was protective of Howll, often to the point of possessiveness,
and he had struggled with the knowledge that Hal had
sexual relationships with other men, particularly Pete Peterson. Detective Robert Jensen,
an officer of Philia Lopez, brought Lenni in for questioning
on July sixteenth, the day after Hall's body was found.
(08:15):
The interrogation took place in a small windowless room at
the Prescott Police Department. Lenni appeared nervous but composed, his
hands shaking slightly as he answered their questions. Jensen, who
was known for his calm yet probing interrogation style, began
by asking Lennie about his relationship with Hall. Lenny hesitated,
but eventually admitted to their romantic involvement, his voice cracking
(08:37):
as he spoke. He insisted that he loved Hal deeply
and would never hurt him. Jensen then asked Lennie about
his whereabouts on the night of the murder. Lenny claimed
that he had been asleep in his room and had
not heard anything unusual. However, Jensen noticed that Lenny's story
had some inconsistencies. For example, Lenny couldn't explain why he
(08:57):
hadn't heard the struggle that had clearly taken place in
the kitchen just a few rooms away. When pressed further,
Lenny became agitated, raising his voice and demanding to know
why he was being accused of something so horrible. The
detectives also asked Lenny about his relationship with Pete Peterson,
Hall's other lover. Lenny's demeanor shifted noticeably at the mention
(09:18):
of Pete. His jealousy was evident as he spoke bitterly
about Pete, accusing him of trying to come between him
and Hall. Lennie's resentment towards Pete was clear, and it
gave the detectives a possible motive. Jealousy and fear of
losing Hall. Despite Lenny's emotional responses and the inconsistencies in
his story, he denied any involvement in Hall's murder. The
(09:40):
detectives released him after several hours of questioning, but he
remained a key suspect. Jensen couldn't shake the feeling that
Lenny was hiding something, and he knew they needed more
evidence to either prove or disprove Lenny's involvement in the crime.
The second suspect in Hall Griffin's murder was his wife,
Mary Griffin. At sixty one, Mary had won once been
a vibrant and active woman, known around Prescott for her
(10:03):
involvement in local church activities and charity work. However, her
life had taken a drastic turn and recently after being
diagnosed with brain cancer. The illness had left her weak
and dependent on Hall for nearly all her daily needs.
Though Mary had always been sweet natured, the cancer had
taken a toll on her memory and cognitive abilities, often
(10:23):
leaving her confused and forgetful. Despite her illness, Mary's love
for Hall was undeniable. Their marriage had transitioned to become
more of a caretaker relationship with Hall dedicating much of
his time to looking after her. However, those close to
the couple had noticed that Mary seemed troubled in the
months leading up to Hall's death. She had moments of
clarity where she appeared aware that something was amiss in
(10:45):
her marriage, though she couldn't fully grasp the reality of
Hall's secret life. Detective Robert Jensen and officer of Filio
Lopez decided to question Mary on July seventeenth, twenty eleven,
two days after Hall's body was found. They visited her
at the hospital where she was being treated for the moment.
The hospital was a quiet, sterile environment, far removed from
(11:06):
the violent scene at the Griffinholme. Mary was resting in bed,
looking frail and tired, but she managed a weak smile
when the detectives entered the room. Jensen approached the interview
with care, knowing that Mary's mental stake could affect her responses.
He began by asking her about her relationship with Hall.
Mary spoke lovingly of her husband, recalling their early years
(11:27):
together and how he had always been there for her
during her illness. She mentioned how Hall had become more
distant recently, often leaving the house for long periods without
explaining where he had been. However, she dismissed these thoughts,
attributing them to her illness rather than anything Hall had done.
The detectives then asked Mary about the knight of the murder.
(11:47):
Mary struggled to remember specific details, a common symptom of
her condition. She couldn't recall hearing anything unusual that night,
and was genuinely shocked when she learned of Hall's death.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she expressed disbelief
that someone could harm the man who had cared for
her so lovingly. When asked if she knew about Hall's
relationships with other men, Mary seemed confused. She hesitated, then
(12:10):
shook her head, saying that Hall had always been devoted
to her. However, Jensen noted that Mary's confusion could be
masking deeper emotions, perhaps a buried awareness of Hall's affairs
or a fear that she wasn't the only one in
his life. Despite her frail condition, Mary remained a suspect,
if only because she was Hall's wife and had the
closest relationship with him. However, the detectives knew that without
(12:34):
clear evidence or a more coherent testimony, it would be
difficult to build the case against her for now. They
would have to keep looking for more concrete leads. The
third suspect in Hall Griffin's murder was Pete Peterson, a
fifty six year old insurance adjuster who had been living
in Prescott for several years. Pete was known in the
community for his calm, steady demeanor and his predictable routine.
(12:58):
He was the kind of man who enjoyed its simple,
quiet life, and he was often seen at local diners
like Denny's or grabbing coffee at Dutch Brothers. Pete's involvement
in a sexual relationship with Hall was not well known,
but those who were aware of their relationship described it
as mainly being casual sex, unlike Hall's more intense connection
with Lenny Bartholf. Pete had been seeing Hall for about
(13:20):
a year, meeting discreetly for sex whenever and wherever. They could.
To Pete, their relationship was more about companionship and physical
comfort than deep emotional ties. He knew about Lenny and
even saw him as competition, but he wasn't overly concerned.
Pete had pushed Hall to leave Mary and Lenny behind
and start fresh with him, but Hall had always been
hesitant to make such a drastic move. On July eighteen,
(13:43):
twenty eleven, three days after Hall's body was discovered, detectives
Robert Jensen and Ophelia Lochez brought Pete in for questioning.
Pete arrived to the Prescott Police Department dressed neatly, his
expression calm but wary. The detectives, aware of Pete's steady personality,
expected him to be cooperative, but were prepared to dig
deeper if needed. Jensen began the interview by asking Pete
(14:05):
about his relationship with Hall. Pete was upfront about their
sexual involvement, describing it as casual and admitting that they
had seen each other off and on for sex for
about a year. He spoke in a measured tone, careful
with his words, and avoided giving too much detail about
their relationship. When Jensen asked if Pete had known about Lenny,
Pete's face hardened slightly. He acknowledged that he knew about Lenny,
(14:29):
but claimed he didn't see him as a serious rival.
How was his own man, Pete said he loved who
he loved. The conversation then turned to the night of
the murder. Pete explained that he had been home alone
watching television, specifically reruns of Law and Order Special Victims
Unit on USA Network, and had gone to bed early.
(14:50):
He insisted that he hadn't seen Hall that day and
that they hadn't spoken for a few days before the murder.
His alibi was simple that the detectives couldn't find anything
to directly contradicted. When pressed about his feelings towards Hall
and the possibility of Hull leaving him for Lenny, Pete's
calm exterior began to crack. He admitted that the idea
of losing Hall had upset him, but he quickly composed himself,
(15:13):
stating that he wasn't the kind of person to act
out of anger. However, Jensen noticed a flicker of emotion
in Pete's eyes, something that hinted at a deeper, more
complex relationship with Hall than Pete was willing to admit.
After several hours of questioning, the detectives released Pete. Although
he had remained mostly calm and cooperative, they were left
(15:34):
with a sense that there was more to his story.
Pete's steady demeanor, while reassuring, also made it difficult to
gauge his true feelings. The detectives knew they needed to
keep an eye on Pete as they continued to unravel
the tangled relationships surrounding hal Griffin's death. On July twenty,
twenty eleven, five days after hal Griffin's body was discovered,
(15:54):
the Prescott Police Department received a crucial leave in the case.
The day was hot and dry, typical for an Arizona summer,
with temperatures hovering around ninety five degrees fahrenheit. Detective Robert
Jensen had just finished reviewing the initial reports when a
call came in from a local hardware store, True Value,
located off Gurley Street. A store manager reported that someone
(16:16):
had found something unusual in the dumpster behind the store.
Jensen and his partner, officer of Philio Lopez, quickly drove
to the scene. The hardware store was a familiar spot
in Prescott, known for its friendly service and wide selection
of tools and supplies. When they arrived, the manager led
them to the back of the store where the dumpsters
were located. A smell of garbage and the buzz of
(16:37):
flies filled the air as Tom pointed to a large
black trash bag sitting on top of the pile. Inside
the bag, Jensen and Lopez found a blood stained shirt
and a pair of gloves. The shirt was torn and
soaked with blood, clearly connected to the violent crime that
had taken place in hal Griffin's home. The gloves were
made of lakex, the kind commonly used for cleaning or
handling chemicals, but they were also smeared with blood. Jensen
(17:01):
carefully bagged the items as evidence and immediately had them
sent to the crime lab for analysis. While waiting for
the results, the detectives reviewed the security footage from the
hardware store. Unfortunately, the camera angle didn't capture the exact
spot where the bag had been dumped, but it did
show a shadowy figure moving near the dumpsters late at night.
The footage was grainy and the person's identity was unclear,
(17:24):
but it gave the detectives a timeline for when the
evidence was likely discarded. A few days later, the lab
results came back, confirming that the blood on the shirt
and gloves matched hal Griffin's DNA. This was a significant
breakthrough in the case, suggesting that the person who dumped
the bag had been directly involved in the murder. The
discovery also indicated that the killer had attempted to dispose
(17:45):
of evidence in a hurry, possibly panicking after the crime.
The police now had a strong piece of evidence that
could link the suspects to the crime. Jensen and Locas
knew they were closing in on the truth, but they
still needed to determine who had thrown the bag into
the dumpster and why. The investigation intensified as they worked
to connect this new evidence to one of the suspects
(18:05):
they had already questioned. On July twenty four, twenty eleven,
just over a week after hal Griffin's body was discovered,
the Prescott Police Department made a breakthrough in the case.
The analysis of the blood stained shirt and gloves found
in the True Value Hardware store dumpster had revealed something crucial,
a partial fingerprint on one of the latex gloves. After
(18:26):
running the print through the national database, it matched Leonard
Lenni Bartholf, Howl's longtime lover. Lenny Bartholf, a sixty year
old retired banker, had been living with Hall and his
wife Mary under the guise of being a down and
out man Holl had taken in. In reality, Lennie and
Hall had been involved in a secret sexual relationship for
several years, a fact that was unknown to most people
(18:50):
in Prescott. Lenny was deeply in love with Hall and
believed that once Mary's health deteriorated, they would be together openly,
But Lenny had grown increasingly paranoid about Hall's other relationships,
particularly with Pete Peterson, the calm Placid insurance adjuster who
had been a casual sex partner of Hall's. On the
night of July fifteenth, Lenny had confronted Howl in the
(19:11):
kitchen of their Prescott home. Lennie had heard rumors that
Hall was playing to leave him and start a new
life with Pete. Fueled by jealousy and fear of losing
the only person he truly loved, Lenny demanded answers. How,
feeling cornered, admitted that he had considered leaving Prescott with Pete.
This confession pushed Lennie over the edge. In a fit
(19:33):
of rage and heartbreak, he grabbed a kitchen knife and
stabbed Howl multiple times in the chest and abdomen. After
the murder, Lennie panicked, realizing the gravity of what he
had done. He attempted to clean up the scene, but
the mess was too overwhelming. In his haste, he grabbed
the blood stained shirt and gloves, stuffed them into a
trash bag, and drove to the True Value Hardware store,
(19:54):
where he dumped the bag in the dumpster. He hoped
this would cover his tracks, but the discovery of the
the items led the police straight to him. On the
afternoon of July twenty four, the police arrived at the
Griffin Holme with an arrest warrant for Lenny. He was
in the backyard tending to Mary's garden when detectives Robert
Jensen and Ophilia Lopez approached him. Lenny didn't resist arrest.
(20:15):
He was visibly shaken, but showed no surprise When they
informed him of the charges. He quietly admitted to the crime,
saying he hadn't meant to kill Hall, but couldn't control
his anger. Hal's family, particularly Mary, was devastated by the arrest. Mary,
still battling brain cancer, was in shock, unable to comprehend
that her husband had been living a double life and
(20:36):
that Lenny, whom she had trusted, was his killer. The
news spread quickly through Prescott, shocking the small community that
had known Hal as a friendly, outgoing retiree. The arrest
of Lenny Barthulf marked the beginning of the end for
this tragic case. The police had pieced together the puzzle,
revealing a story of love, jealousy, and betrayal that had
led to a deadly outcome, but the full story would
(20:59):
only come to light in the courtroom, where Lenny would
face justice for his actions. The trial of Leonard Lenny
Bartholf began on October three, twenty eleven, in the Abapee
County Courthouse in Prescott, Arizona. The case had garnered attention
not only because of the brutal nature of the crime,
but also due to the scandalous details of hal Griffin's
secret life that had come to light. The courtroom was
(21:21):
packed with locals eager to delve into the story of love, betrayal,
and murder in this quiet retirement community. The prosecution was
led by District Attorney James MacLean, a seasoned lawyer known
for his no nonsense approach in the courtroom. MacLean, a
fifty eight year old with a reputation for being tough
but fair, laid out a compelling case against Lenny. He
(21:43):
argued that Lenny's actions were premeditated, driven by jealousy and
a deep fear of abandonment. McLean detailed how Lenny had
lived a double life, pretending to be a homeless man
taken in out of charity, while secretly maintaining a romantic
relationship with Hull. He painted a picture of a man
who couldn't bear the thought of losing Hall to Pete Peterson,
(22:03):
and in a fit of rage, had murdered the very
person he claimed to love. The defense, led by public
defender Frankie Clark, took a different approach. Clark, a forty
two year old lawyer with a calm demeanor, argued that
Lenny's actions were not premeditated, but were instead the result
of a momentary lapse in control. She portrayed Lenny as
a man who had been deeply in love, confused and
(22:25):
heartbroken by Hall's admission that he was planning to leave him.
Clark emphasized Lenny's clean record, his service at the bank
for forty years, and his role as a quiet, discipline
member of society who had never shown signs of violence
before this incident. She appealed to the jury's sympathy, asking
them to consider the emotional turmoil that had led Lenny
to commit the crime. Throughout the trial, Hal Griffin's family
(22:48):
watched the proceedings with a mix of sadness and anger.
Mary Griffin, frail and devastated, sat quietly as the details
of her husband's double life were exposed to the world.
That a trail was almost as painful as the murder itself,
and her emotions were evident as she listened to the arguments.
After two weeks of testimony and evidence, the jury reached
(23:08):
a verdict on October seventeen, twenty eleven. Leonard Barthulf was
found guilty of second degree murder. The jury believed that
while Lenny's actions were driven by emotion, they were still
deliberate and intentional. Judge Martin Harris sentenced Lenny to twenty
five years in prison without the possibility of parole, a
sentence that reflected the seriousness of the crime, but also
(23:31):
took into account Lenny's previously clean record and the emotional
circumstances surrounding the case. The sentence brought a sense of
closure to Halgriffin's family, though it didn't erase the pain
of losing him. For Mary Griffin, it was a bittersweet
moment justice had been served, but the cost had been
the shattering of the life she thought she knew. As
for the Prescott community, the trial and its outcome left
(23:52):
a lasting impact, a reminder that even in the most
peaceful places, dark secrets can lead to tragic consequences. After
the trial, life for those involved in the tragic events
of July twenty eleventh changed dramatically. Leonard Lenny Barthoff began
serving his twenty five year sentence at the Arizona State
Prison Complex in Florence. The once quiet and disciplined man
(24:15):
now faced a stark reality behind bars. His future, once
filled with dreams of a peaceful life with hul Griffin,
was now confined to the prison balls. Lenny was a
model inmate, but his days were marked by the heavy
burden of regret and the memories of what he had lost.
Mary Griffin, Howl's willow, returned to her home in Prescott.
The house, once a place of love and memories, now
(24:36):
felt empty and filled with the echoes of betrayal. Her
health continued to decline, worsened by the emotional toll of
the trial and the revelations about her late husband's secret life.
Friends and neighbors. Many of whom had rallied around her
during the trial, remained supportive, but Mary's trust in the
world had been deeply shaken. She spent most of her
days alone, tending to her garden and finding solace in
(24:59):
her faith. Pete Peterson, the third person in the love triangle,
chose to leave Prescott shortly after the trial ended. The quiet,
steady insurance adjuster had become a reluctant local celebrity due
to the trial's media coverage. Seeking a fresh start, Pete
relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona, where he found work with a
new insurance firm. Though he tried to move on, the
(25:19):
events of the past haunted him. The casual relationship he
had with hul Griffin had turned into something much darker
and more painful than he ever expected. Pete avoided relationships
for a long time, fearful of the consequences that love
could bring. The Prescott community also felt the aftershocks of
the case. Once a quiet retirement town known for its
scenic views and peaceful lifestyle, Prescott had been thrust into
(25:43):
the spotlight by the murder and trial. Local residents found
it hard to forget the grisly details and the way
their town had been portrayed in the media. The case
served as a reminder that even in a place as
tranquil as Prescott, secrets could fester and lead to tragedy.
As the years passed, the memory of hall Griffin's murder
faded from the headlines, but it remained a somber chapter
(26:04):
in the lives of those it touched. The lesson was clear.
Even in the quietest corners of the world, the complexities
of love and betrayal can lead to devastating outcomes.
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