2022
A tag reader recorded Jeff and Karen Spence's Cadillac in Knoxville, Tennessee, the night before the murder, on their way to Virginia.
“The Cadillac was on the tag reader in Knoxville, Tennessee, the night before Kirby's murder,”
Topic
Jeff Spence
22 facts from 2 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
2022
Tag readers captured one of Jeff Spence's vehicles, a maroon van, in Tennessee heading south toward Mississippi on the day of the murder.
“McAllister had the plates run through tag readers across the country. There was a hit. One of Jeff's vehicles, a maroon van in Tennessee, heading south toward Mississippi.”
2023
U.S. Marshals arrested Jeff Spence in Virginia on November 30, 2023, one year after Kirby Carpenter's murder.
“Investigators decided they had enough on November 30th, 2023, one year to the day that Kirby was murdered. U. S. Marshals, with the help of local police, arrested Jeff Spence in Virginia”
2025
Jeff Spence's first murder trial began in September 2025.
“Even with Caitlin's testimony, prosecutors faced an uphill battle when Jeff Spence's trial began in September 2025.”
2025
The jury in Jeff Spence's first trial deadlocked 6 to 6 after four and a half hours, leading to a mistrial.
“Four and a half hours into deliberations, the jury foreman sent the judge a note. They were deadlocked 6 to 6.”
2026
Jeff Spence's second murder trial began in March 2026.
“Jeff Spence's second trial began in March 2026. Carolyn again faced the father she lived in fear of.”
2026
The second jury found Jeffrey Dean Spence guilty of first-degree murder after finding him not guilty of capital murder.
“We the jury find the defendant, Jeffrey Dean Spence guilty of 1st degree murder. Guilty.”
2026
Jeff Spence was sentenced to life in prison for Kirby Carpenter's murder and is appealing.
“Jeff was sentenced to life in prison. He is appealing.”
Undated
Jeff Spence served nine months in jail for stealing a white-tailed buck named Goliath, valued at $1 million for breeding.
“The deer was an enormous, white-tailed buck named Goliath, worth $1 million because of its breeding potential. Jeff served nine months in jail for stealing the deer from another breeder.”
Undated
Carolyn and Gio Aguayo say Jeff and Karen Spence quit a house construction project, leaving them to pay about $175,000 to fix it.
“Jeff and Karen abruptly quit the construction project, leaving Carolyn and Gio on the hook for about $175,000 to fix the mess.”
Undated
Virginia investigators found a shotgun under Jeff and Karen Spence's bed, but no shell casings at the scene allowed a ballistics match.
“Virginia investigators also found the shotgun wrapped in a coat under Jeff and Karen's bed. There were no shell casings at Kirby's crime scene to make a ballistics match, but still,”
Undated
Kirby Carpenter was killed by Jeff Spence, the father of his girlfriend and mother of his child.
“It was her father who who had killed Kirby, Jeff Spence.”
Undated
Caitlin and Karen Spence made deals with law enforcement, while Jeff Spence is in prison in Mississippi.
“Kaitlyn and Karen m made deals with law enforcement, and then, uh, Jeff is in prison in Mississippi.”
Undated
A detective who ran additional license plate numbers from cars in Jeff Spence's yard got a hit on one vehicle on a Tennessee highway heading toward Mississippi.
“And lo and behold, he got a hit on one of them that was headed, uh, on a highway in, you know, in Tennessee toward Mississippi.”
Undated
Jeff Spence was convicted of stealing a prized buck named Goliath, described as worth about $1 million.
“And um, he was convicted of stealing Goliath, this million-dollar deer. Did you ever think that a deer could be worth $1 million?”
Undated
Andrea Canning says Jeff Spence ran a deer-breeding business and possibly bred German shepherds, among many failed ventures.
“One of his businesses was that that he was a deer breeder. He was also like a, I think he bred German shepherds.”
Undated
Carolyn's husband Gio feared for his life after Jeff Spence suggested he take out life insurance with Jeff as beneficiary.
“And then Gio, literally being afraid for his life after that life insurance conversation, like, why don't you take out life insurance? I'll be the beneficiary.”
Undated
Jeff Spence was held at Parchman prison when Andrea Canning prepared to interview him by phone.
“I was all set up in Mississippi to do the interview. He was in Parchman prison at the time.”
Undated
According to Carolyn, her sister Caitlin sided with their father Jeff immediately after the family conflict.
“according to Carolyn, it seemed like she sided with her dad immediately.”
Undated
Andrea Canning expresses the view that money mattered more to Jeff Spence than his family and that the killing was over money.
“It seems to me that money was more important to Jeff than his family unit, because this was over money.”
Undated
The first trial of Jeff Spence ended in a hung jury split six to six.
“that 1st trial, I think, end up with a hung jury, and it was split six to six.”
Undated
Jeff, Caitlin and Karen Spence all initially faced capital murder charges; Karen and Caitlin are now free and Jeff is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.
“All three Jeff, Caitlin and Karen Spence faced capital murder charges, so Karen and Caitlin now are free, and Jeff, of course, is serving a life sentence for 1st degree murder.”
Episodes