Podcast
Questions and Answers
How did Floyd Wells hear about the Clutter murders?
How did Floyd Wells hear about the Clutter murders?
He heard about it listening to the radio in jail.
Where was Floyd Wells when he heard about the Clutter murders?
Where was Floyd Wells when he heard about the Clutter murders?
He was in his jail cell getting ready for bed.
How long had it been since Floyd had seen the Clutters when he read about their murder?
How long had it been since Floyd had seen the Clutters when he read about their murder?
It had been ten years since he saw the Clutters.
How did Floyd know the Clutters?
How did Floyd know the Clutters?
Who did Floyd tell about his time with the Clutters?
Who did Floyd tell about his time with the Clutters?
Which of the following was not a question asked of Floyd by his cellmate about the Clutters?
Which of the following was not a question asked of Floyd by his cellmate about the Clutters?
According to Floyd, who talked of robbing the Clutters?
According to Floyd, who talked of robbing the Clutters?
Who did Wells tell about his story?
Who did Wells tell about his story?
Who interviewed Hickock's parents?
Who interviewed Hickock's parents?
Where did Hickock's father say that his son and Smith had gone when they left town?
Where did Hickock's father say that his son and Smith had gone when they left town?
What kind of gun was used to kill the Clutters?
What kind of gun was used to kill the Clutters?
Who supposedly lived in Fort Scott, Kansas?
Who supposedly lived in Fort Scott, Kansas?
In Part 3 of In Cold Blood, where was the most recent address Detective Nye had for Smith?
In Part 3 of In Cold Blood, where was the most recent address Detective Nye had for Smith?
When did Smith leave the rundown hotel in Las Vegas?
When did Smith leave the rundown hotel in Las Vegas?
Where did Smith's sister live in Part 3 of In Cold Blood?
Where did Smith's sister live in Part 3 of In Cold Blood?
After Smith and Hickock stole a car in Part 3 of In Cold Blood, where did they return?
After Smith and Hickock stole a car in Part 3 of In Cold Blood, where did they return?
What was the only real evidence that Dewey had for the Clutter murders?
What was the only real evidence that Dewey had for the Clutter murders?
What was the name of Nancy's old mare that helped to comfort Bobby Rupp?
What was the name of Nancy's old mare that helped to comfort Bobby Rupp?
According to Part 3 of In Cold Blood, what did Hickock and Smith pick up as they drove to Las Vegas?
According to Part 3 of In Cold Blood, what did Hickock and Smith pick up as they drove to Las Vegas?
What did Hickock and Smith use the money collected from turning in empty bottles for?
What did Hickock and Smith use the money collected from turning in empty bottles for?
Where did Smith and Hickock go once they reached Las Vegas?
Where did Smith and Hickock go once they reached Las Vegas?
What happened to Smith and Hickock in front of the hotel in Las Vegas in Part 3 of In Cold Blood?
What happened to Smith and Hickock in front of the hotel in Las Vegas in Part 3 of In Cold Blood?
Who worked together to interview Hickock in the Las Vegas jail?
Who worked together to interview Hickock in the Las Vegas jail?
Which of the following did Hickock not tell his interrogators during their interview in the Las Vegas prison?
Which of the following did Hickock not tell his interrogators during their interview in the Las Vegas prison?
How long before the Clutter murders was Hickock released from prison?
How long before the Clutter murders was Hickock released from prison?
What plans did Hickock share with the agents during his interview in the Las Vegas City jail?
What plans did Hickock share with the agents during his interview in the Las Vegas City jail?
What did Hickock say was his and Smith's alibi?
What did Hickock say was his and Smith's alibi?
Who worked together to interview Smith in the Las Vegas jail?
Who worked together to interview Smith in the Las Vegas jail?
Why did Smith ask for an aspirin during the interrogation in a Las Vegas jail?
Why did Smith ask for an aspirin during the interrogation in a Las Vegas jail?
What did detective Nye show Hickock on the second day of the interrogation?
What did detective Nye show Hickock on the second day of the interrogation?
How much money did Hickock tell Smith Mr. Clutter always kept in his safe?
How much money did Hickock tell Smith Mr. Clutter always kept in his safe?
How much money did Smith and Hickock steal from the Clutters?
How much money did Smith and Hickock steal from the Clutters?
Why did Smith return to the Clutter house after he walked out for a few minutes following the murders?
Why did Smith return to the Clutter house after he walked out for a few minutes following the murders?
Which Clutter did Smith talk to about their life before they were killed?
Which Clutter did Smith talk to about their life before they were killed?
What did Hickock want to do to Nancy before killing her?
What did Hickock want to do to Nancy before killing her?
What type of weather was occurring as Hickock and Smith were brought back to Garden City?
What type of weather was occurring as Hickock and Smith were brought back to Garden City?
What sound could be heard as Hickock and Smith were escorted into the Garden City county jail?
What sound could be heard as Hickock and Smith were escorted into the Garden City county jail?
What item did Smith ship from Mexico which helped to incriminate him?
What item did Smith ship from Mexico which helped to incriminate him?
Who was the only one Hickock knew could truly incriminate him?
Who was the only one Hickock knew could truly incriminate him?
What did the detectives tell both Smith and Hickock existed, regarding the Clutter case?
What did the detectives tell both Smith and Hickock existed, regarding the Clutter case?
Where was the safe supposed to have been in the Clutter house?
Where was the safe supposed to have been in the Clutter house?
What was the first fact that the detectives questioned in Smith's story?
What was the first fact that the detectives questioned in Smith's story?
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Study Notes
Floyd Wells and the Clutter Murders
- Floyd Wells learned of the Clutter murders while listening to the radio in his jail cell.
- It had been a decade since Floyd last saw the Clutter family, having worked on their farm one summer.
- Floyd disclosed his past with the Clutters to his cellmate, Dick Hickock.
Dick Hickock's Inquiries
- Dick's questions about the Clutters included their wealth, family size, and house layout.
- He expressed interest in the robbery plan involving the Clutter household.
Investigations and Interviews
- KBI Agent Harold Nye interviewed Hickock's parents, who mentioned the pair had traveled to Fort Scott.
- The last known address for Perry Smith was a rundown hotel in Las Vegas, where he checked out on November 16, 1959.
- Smith's sister lived in San Francisco, not Fort Scott.
Evidence and Arrests
- The only solid evidence connecting the crime to the suspects were shoe prints.
- Smith and Hickock were arrested in front of a hotel in Las Vegas, after which they were questioned by agents Nye and Roy Church.
- During interrogations, Hickock falsely claimed their alibi was spending the night with prostitutes.
Hickock's Admissions
- Hickock revealed plans with Smith to buy a boat and escape to Mexico.
- He inaccurately stated that Mr. Clutter kept $10,000 in his safe, while they only stole $40 to $50 post-murder.
Aftermath of the Murders
- Smith returned to the Clutter house to observe what had transpired after the murders.
- Hickock expressed a sinister intent to rape Nancy Clutter before killing her.
Detective Strategies
- Detectives created a narrative that a witness could testify against Smith and Hickock, putting pressure on them.
- Smith shipped incriminating evidence, like their boots, from Mexico.
Smith's Vulnerability
- Hickock was aware that Smith held the potential to incriminate him, heightening the tension between the two criminals.
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