Your previous mention of the Keddie Murders a few weeks ago made me go read everything I could find on it. Fascinating case.

The general impression I got was that the documentary filmmaker changed his mind somewhere along the way and seemed to lose interest in the project for a while. From what I understand, the film strongly implies that two particular men did this crime and the filmmaker no longer feels they are guilty.

This is just the impression I walked away with -- others may be able to say something more accurate. Happy 4th!
Aleph | 07.04.08 - 2:07 pm | #

Aleph, the film does seem to imply that -- but it does this using police sources. If you watch it, you'll see what I mean in the final two segments.
Steve Huff | 07.04.08 - 2:51 pm | #

I should also add that while I had that impression too -- that the filmmaker had given up on the project -- you really don't get that from the documentary as a whole. The tone of all 6 sections, taken together, was consistent.
Steve Huff | 07.04.08 - 2:52 pm | #

Regarding the inspiration for the movie "The Strangers," in an interview with Liv Tyler, she said the screenwriter told her that it was based on an incident from his childhood where someone came knocking at his door and asked for someone who they'd never heard of. Apparently, shortly after that, he learned that there had been burglaries in empty homes nearby. He told her it just really haunted him. I don't have the link for it handy at the moment, but you can probably find it through Wikipedia on the movies page.
thorswitch | Homepage | 07.05.08 - 6:02 am | #

wow. Thanks for posting these videos. I too had never heard of this story until I saw it on your site a couple weeks ago.

I went to the Keddie Cabin website trying to learn more and read some of the message boards. It was hard to figure out what happened inbetween all of the fighting there.

This is much more straightforward. I was especially interested to hear Jason's story and what he heard/saw from the back room. Is it possible Jason and the 2 younger boys were left alone because Jason is Marty's son?

I hope this case is re-focused on again.
Michelle | 07.05.08 - 7:25 am | #

There's also more detailed info. on his timeline. Jason says in a police interview that he walked out and saw the two men and tried to help Sue. This case is very interesting. It does seem like the police dropped the ball here.
Michelle | 07.05.08 - 7:52 am | #

I learned about the Keddie murders, I think, thru you, Steve, so the documentary made it even more interesting. I also was under the impression that the close-knit town pretty much knew who did it.

I liked the evenhanded tone, too, and the focus on people instead of the gore. That's why I like Ann Rule's writing.
Emily Booth | 07.05.08 - 8:14 pm | #

It is indeed a great little documentary.

I wonder how and why the filmmakers changed their minds about the suspects, if that is indeed what happened.
Aleph | 07.05.08 - 10:02 pm | #

IMO he had the right idea about the suspects right from the beginning.
RaVen | Homepage | 07.05.08 - 10:29 pm | #

I just watched all 6 segments and some of the "deleted" scenes and I have to say that I am astonished that Martin and Bo were not arrested for these murders.

You have Marilyn, who says that they were upset that Sue didn't want to go out to the bar the night of the murders...I feel that after Martin and Bo got hopped up at the bar, they went to try and get Sue to party even after she said no, and that when she resisted, they started to assault her.

The timeline makes it sound like John and Dana came walking in, in the middle of it, so they were killed, too.

Michelle made a very good comment (though I think that she meant Justin, not Jason?) being Martin's step-son and that could be why, if Justin was seen back in the hallway, wasn't murdered as well.

I feel that Tina coming out to see what was going on gave them somebody younger and easier to assault...and the fact that her jacket was found at Martin and Marilyn's house, or under the house or shed, certainly says alot.

And what about the friend of Martin's who said that he went to Reno and needed to get back to "finish what he started"???

Am I the only person who has linked any of this together??

It was also said that there were no drugs or alcohol in the victim's systems, that they were sober, and that no illegal drugs or stolen property were found in Cabin 28...so I think that the rumors of drugs or prostitution etc. were red herrings.

To me, in my very humble opinion, it is very obvious who committed these murders...but, at any rate, I thank you Steve for directing people to this documentary. And for heaven's sakes, somebody better get down to Florida and see what ole Bo is up to...
Darby | 07.06.08 - 1:58 pm | #

Sometimes the simplest explanation is also the most accurate. In my opinion, Darby just summarized the most likely scenario. But hang around that message board long enough and you won't feel sure of anything for long.

Even on the message board, the figure of "Bo" is pretty shadowy and mysterious. No one seems to know much about him and there are questions about whether we even have the correct spelling of his name. What is known is that both he and Marty Smartt were Vietnam vets who were receiving care for their mental health and probably also taking illegal drugs. These factors probably explain the "overkill" at the scene of the crime.

Supposedly Marilyn (Marty's ex-wife) has changed many components of her story since the shooting of the documentary. She posts on the board sometimes but it's difficult to tell where she's at.
Aleph | 07.06.08 - 7:13 pm | #

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the positive comments, and a special thank you to Steve for writing a great review and supporting our site.

Our new website is www.keddiemurdersfilm.com.

The Cabin 28: The Keddie Murders DVD will be available soon, as well as a "making of the documentary" book with never-before-seen photographs, documents, and more. Feel free to join our forums, and look for more deleted scenes to be posted in the gallery. You might also be interested in joining our Street Team, where you can receive stickers, postcards, and other items to help promote the site, the movie, and the case.

Thanks again, Steve.

-Josh Hancock
Josh | Homepage | 07.07.08 - 10:58 am | #

Josh, will the DVD and book be available at your web-site or at stores?
Thanks in advance for your answer.

~D.P.
D.P. | 07.07.08 - 2:42 pm | #

Steve, thanks for posting the video. I lived in Quincey in the late '90s and had not heard of this. The discussion then was about the railroad murderer, who happened to be related to a friend of my brother's. The Plumas area is truly beautiful and it is sad that such a tragedy befell that community. The investigation certainly seemed to be lacking and after this many years evidence and memories fade, or even change. Hopefully the murderers are dead or dying a slow and agonizing death.
Rhonda | 07.07.08 - 2:48 pm | #

Hi DP,

Both will be available through the website. The DVD will be here soon; the book not until fall perhaps. Thanks again and feel free to join our forums!

-Josh
Josh | Homepage | 07.08.08 - 12:55 am | #

This is a great blog which gives update information about the Keddie Murders, whose Bare-bones still manages to leave the kind of lasting impression true-crime centric. Thanks for such information.
========================================
caroline16

Addiction Recovery Louisiana
caroline16 | 07.16.08 - 2:48 am | #

Hey Everybody

The Cabin 28: The Keddie Murders is available for purchase. Email JHancock16@comcast.net to purchase a copy. Purchase the DVD and receive 10% the book that is due out the end of August.

Keddiemurdersfilm.com
Angel | 07.20.08 - 12:29 am | #

hey, i found this post when i did a google search for true crime documentaries. i'm definitely not into the freaky stuff and it's really great to find something actually interesting new to watch and learn about, so thanks!
sage | 07.25.08 - 4:27 pm | #

Hey All

I just purchased my coffee table book of the Keddie Murders. Email Jhancock16@comcast.net to purchase your copy. I cannot wait to get it.

Jennifer
Jennifer | 08.06.08 - 9:46 am | #