Hey Mike- I was involved in a motorcycle accident and hospital bound for five months. That Chapter got me through the most difficult times and I just wanted to say thanks man!
Judge's speech was surprisingly fair. The kid honestly wasn't right, indeed his mother should have been on that bench too. But yes, this isn't an excuse for bashing out the brains of an innocent person. Justice is complicated, I like a judge who shows that.
Yeah, the speech showed how complicated the sentencing was. Bun then, I really don't get how he concluded that death penalty would be the right thing to do?
I have rods sentencing, you can see his mother in the background when the judge is saying that she should be on trial for some of this stuff because she didn’t raise him right. You can see her shaking her head in the background of course taking no responsibility for her rotten mothering.
Bullshit. Rod is responsible for his own behavior. If this stupid judge really believed that other people were responsible for Rod’s actions, he would not have wanted him dead…..
@@yamahajapan5351 he did get it for his own behavior, fostered by a mother who completely neglected her own son’s mental illness. A mother who’s illness was neglected by her parents.
That whole rant from the judge is just proof why children have no business being sentenced to death, yet he did it anyway. I'll bet he went to bed feeling he was better than that dude, too.
@@leigha2814 yeah the death penalty is no good anyway. there is sumthing fundamentally wrong about it. but he got the proper sentence now of life behind bars.
My dog was just diagnosed with something that seems hopeless for surgical intervention yet here we are reclining together & enjoying That Chapter, pretending like it’s the best day ever. Thank you kindly for adding the only drop of normalcy in my life Mike.
make sure you get another couple opinions from other vets somewhere else as have heard similar stories on my travels with dog owners over the years turned out wasn't that serious after all .. God Bless!
That was the most fairest judgement I’ve heard on this channel. The judge recognized that Rod had been screwed from the get-go, due to his mother’s poor parenting, but also stating that it was no excuse to kill. I applaud that judge👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Yeah if everybody who got screwed, both figuratively and literally, as a kid became a murderer, pretty soon there wouldn’t be anyone left to screw up more kids.
Mike is so charming. He works hard on his content & is very respectful when talking about the victims & their families, but also manages to apply humor (& jabs to those who deserve them) to really dark situations without it being offensive. He's endearing to the point that even the corniest humor makes me laugh instead of roll my eyes. You can tell he's having fun. 😊
@@McSnezzly Pardon me, sir? Uhm ... I don't think he "took accountability" out of any sense of honor or righteousness or whatever; I wouldn't even call it _"taking accountability"_ so much as _"taking credit for something he desperately wanted attention for"._ Simply put, Rod told a fictitious (and utterly ridiculous) version of a truly pitiful story; He did this Not out of any sense of propriety, virtue, or regret, *but out of an entirely selfish need to be feared & respected.* He didn't even take responsibility of his actions _in his own mind,_ much less during the interrogation. _"Rod",_ the lonely forgettable pathetic delusional pimple-ridden beta male didn't commit these disgusting/pointless murders, _"Visago",_ the 500 year old immortal vampire did. For godsakes, the dumbass never even apologized for what he _actually_ did + he tried to spin it to make himself the hero! To hear him tell it, it wasn't "murder" per sé, but a selfless movie-worthy attempt to protect his one true love. His victims were used as props, characters in his script, and he never acknowledges them as _actual_ human beings; To him, they were just unimportant casualties on his road to notoriety. Is this what's percieved as "taking accountability" these days? Color me surprised!
I came from a very dysfunctional family, environment, childhood. I bonded with other kids with similar roots as well. I, however, was shown warmth, morality, character, honesty, empathy, etc from my wonderful grandmother. Mostly by her example. It can only take one person in a child's life to determine the difference between a functioning teen/adult and a monster.
I suffer from severe anxiety, ptsd, and agoraphobia. Because of this I rarely leave my home. I just want to say thank you for your great work which really helps me to avoid sinking back into depression. Though their dark stories I love Ur wit and light hearted way of presenting them. Thank you once again. I can't stop watching.
Wow you folks are quite ignorant and insufferable. Until you know what another person's life is like, saying dismissive shit like "grow up" shows very little compassion for humanity. I get it. I see where you are coming from in a world of everyone finding a reason to be a victim it gets annoying, I know that...but Anxiety,depression agorophobia are absolutely real disorders and they are very debilitating and it's a hard life. Instead of bashing on someone you don't understand, how about realizing that someday it could be (and even might be), you who suffers from some disorder that people deride and dismissed. It would also help if you learned a bit about the disorders, what causes them, how they occur, who they generally occur to, how much they can and cannot control in their own lives. They have families, personalities, some yes have jobs, ever heard of this new thing called "remote"working? Just because they suffer dors not mean they are a drain on the system or anything like that. So having said all this, I will just now issue your own words back to you... GROW UP!!!
@@itzamiai have agoraphobia. I was a nurse and a baker. But when I became agoraphobic I started making art. Trained myself. I also sell alot of plants, compost worms, tailored dresses. There are a thousand ways to make money from home.
Second scariest, though Mike was the person in the other video. Footage with him tumbling and looking so cool with a twirly red toy. Lol I just love Mike and this channel.
So the dude who was only in the house got life, but the chick who, presumably, made up the story about her abusive parents, probably asked for her parents to be killed, and lied to police, she gets off?
Key word 'presumably'. That's not evidence. I'm sure they thought she was guilty, but they couldn't prove it. Perhaps they were hoping that one of the others would provide some in return for reduced sentence.
Not to mention they gave the other two women less than 30 years combined despite giving the guy who did literally nothing life. The American justice system for you.
For the record, Scott didn’t just stand in the house. He did engage (though he didn’t beat them to death) and both he and Rod swallowed their blood. I was surprised Mike didn’t mention that part.
I think Heather should have been charged and prosecuted, too. She came up with the idea of leaving the door unlocked, so Rod and Scott could get in. Resulting in her parents deaths.
I definitely believed she was responsible to a point but can't say definitely she knew that's what he was going to do, you really can't be certain she left it unlocked.
@@timmarrs2997 She admitted to leaving it unlocked, so they could get the keys to her parents vehicle, and money. I don't think she knew they were going to kill them though. Says she didn't. She definitely left the door unlocked, though.
I'm from Florida and I remember this case. Heather wss recorded giving Rod goofy smiles and sticking out her tongue from across the station even after knowing what he had done to her parents. Awesome job as always Mike!
Not to mention he said he was 500 years old, but later asks if someone his age could get the death penalty. Dude was a loser larping nerd. His persona as a mysterious dark artist is pure media sensationalism.
I find it amazing how many times the number “tree” or “turdy-something” coincidentally comes up in these stories Mike tells us. 😂 and I’m not complaining!
Lol someone says that just about ever single TC video lol we all love Mike & his adorable accent n quirks tho.. I wonder if he could trademark his ‘turdies’ ..hmmmm 🤔
I'm seriously confused as to how he can acknowledge the causal factors in his life, and in the next breath sentence the same teenager to death. None of his terrible circumstances justify what he did, but they do explain what he did. If it were a 25+ year old with a developed frontal lobe, then I can at least see an argument for the death penalty....but a teenager with a partially developed brain, no role models or support. The judge was not a good judge. I'll stay the hell away from states that think executing children is at all a solution to anything.
@@somethingelse4424 there was a book written about this exact thing. It is called "The Teenage Brain". They know that the brain is not fully developed until mid twenties.
@@somethingelse4424 Exactly. You'd think the judge acknowledging the circumstances that landed him in that courtroom would make him more compassionate but no, he sentenced someone under 18 to death. (I personally think that) Ferrell absolutely deserves to spend the rest of his life behind bars but considering his age and circumstances the death penalty was too much.
Anyone else notice how many true-crime featured criminals are products of teen parents?!?!?! And/or spawn of people not fit to raise rodents?!?! So many of them come from poster-families for the return of eugenics. Before being allowed to spawn, people should be: Of a certain age to breed Of a certain minimum level of intelligence/IQ tested Of an income level enough to be self sufficient and not reliant on government funding/gainfully employed or otherwise financially solvent Have had at least a parenting class or ten... It wouldn’t solve all crime - but dang- it wd certainly help. No- not all kids born to teens end up murderers- but more often than not- they end up troubled bc their ”parents” aren’t capable of raising decent human adults. By the time the teen breeder gets their shite together, the damage is already done to their offspring. And the cycle just continues. 🤯🤦🏻♀️👎🏼
As a life long resident of Kentucky, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that everything you hear on here concerning all the crazy, demented crime is… absolutely true. It’s all true. 😂
@@atmedia9882 i mean it’s beautiful. And not all places are bad. But let’s just say whenever I hear a video or see the news and the perpetrators are from here, I’m not surprised 😂
@@Darkmark-tu5ds loll yes I’m not trying to increase my chances of getting serial killed though, I actually considered going to Kentucky state and I was like…….. something feels a little off here but it is beautiful and I know there’s good people there. The bad ones though lol
This is the pinnacle of Mike's comedic delivery. The story is sad and crazy but I found myself laughing and having to rewind 10 seconds multiple times. Well done Sir 👍☺️
@@aye70aye I love when he rips on weirdos who "study the blade" and think life is just like Twilight or something. Mike's the kind of guy ya bring home to meet the parents 😜
Best line "hey! even vampires don't get happy meals for free... sh!t" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I think this is my all time favourite TC episode, Mike outdid himself with this one. Have a great vacation Mike, sure go on! You know you deserve it 👻
I’m seeing this Oct ‘22. So glad it came up. Discovered you several months ago and have been (somewhat madly but not crazy enough to resort to actions that would have me as one of your topics) watching older episodes. Love you and your productions. Of the RU-vid crime folks, you are the G.O.A.T!
It's such a betrayal to have your kid let in people who kill you. Regardless of whether they told her theyd kill them or not, she wanted to be with people WHO WANTED to kill them. She KNEW this fact.. & likely she knew much more than that. Also trust me a big headed teenager was talking about the murder the wholeeeee way to New Orleans
@@onbored9627 Yup, & she likely did it just to get some attention & pity. She will have to live for the rest of her life knowing she destroyed the people who born her into this world, lover her, & raised her. I couldn't imagine a burden like that on my soul. I'm Italian American & we are extremely loyal to family. Always
Yep! Although I'm one of the more sane ones, as a lifelong Florida boy, everything y'all hear is absolutely true about this state. And actually, it's worse than y'all might think, lol.
I'm watching this in March (2023). I watch your vids every single day and it's what I look forward to after work and whenever I'm chilling at home. I absolutely love your content but most of all, your personality! Never change. Lots and lots of love xxxxxxxxxxx
90's, huh? despite the cruelty behind this one [I'm glad they catched all of them] let's appriciate Mike as a Vampire costume and the What We Do in the Shadows movie reference.
9:10 There’s nothing I can think of that is less bad ass or more cowardly than beating animals trapped in cages and killing defenseless puppies. Crimes of this nature should be taken incredibly seriously and should carry mandatory prison sentences with therapy post release, as well as being added to a national database of registered animal abusers. 9 times out of 10 these crimes will escalate into abuse of children and/or partners and, in this case, it can also escalate to murder. The psychopathy behind hurting small animals is rarely anything that turns positive.
You're right. However this was a long time ago before those connections were really established. I think at this point the authorities really do take this animal abuse seriously because of all the evidence of what it can turn into.
Honestly was shocked they sentenced him to death after expressing sympathy for his awful childhood. His mother shaking her head in denial was infuriating. Another great presentation Mike
I just loved how the judge let his mom have it! It needed to be said. because she was likely the contributing factor in the mess that happened. And may have been avoided. Unfortunately she is incompetent.
@@RustyX2010 yeah esp. with his flippant attitude. there was a moment when the cop used his right hand to rub his brow, kind of like dude just shut up i'm about to knock u out.
LOVE the vampire makeup, Mike - your eyes, in particular, are phenomenal! It has to be quite difficult to get stage makeup to look that great, especially when filmed in B&W. You’re officially 100% out of your shell and this is officially my favorite YT channel - because you have the best personality and sense of humor on this platform. “Cool dude,” indeed!
I'm watching this in February 2022. Can't recall the month I first watched it..cuz when I found you, Mike, binge watched at least 100 vids.. LOVED it from the GET!! Turned my hubby onto it and NOW? More than Mrballen, I love That Chapter. Yep. Audi 5000G
Heather should have been arrested and charged as well because had it not been for her making up these false claims about her parents they would still be alive. She is guilty! 😢
I know its its all her fault No one will change my mind Her poor sister. I still think they all needed to be hung on the nearest tree. Then just in case have a wooden steak through the heart n head removed.... This was a horrific evil thing they ALL DID
There was a girl on Homicide Hunter who told her gang member friends that her old roommate had drugs and money in the house (there wasn't), so they would rob her, she wanted revenge for getting kicked out. They ended up robbing her and murdering someone in the house. I was pretty mad they couldn't charge her with something. There should be a lesser version of murder for hire/conspiracy for things like that that lead to a death.
@@lindaarrington9397 I believe she should've been charged as well, she knew the entire way back that her parents were murdered by them. Teenagers brag about this type of stuff. Yet she still wanted to live with them forever.. About the death penalty I'm not so sure in this instance.. hear me out. I do believe in the death penalty in some cases. A serial killer who r_______ & murdered 30 plus people? Should be ended forever. Dont care. Nobody will change my mind on that fact, we dont need to feed them with tax payer money. They've snuffed out many human lives & laid a path of destruction in their wake. Goodbye. But in this case he was formed into this evil from childhood by his parent. If he was born into a loving nurturing family.. he could've turned out to be a kind & loving person. He said it himself at the end, that under his delusions he would've kept killing. But you can see he understands now his mind was totally gone at that point in his life. Because his parents turned him into this, I believe life in prison is the appropriate charge. His mother should have that as well quite honestly. It's not as black & white as him just being evil. He was TURNED evil from a blank slate. He wasnt ACTUALLY an evil vampire but a mislead & lied to kid who needed help! You have to know deep down that I'm speaking truth. I cant forgive him for the murders OR hurting defenseless animals. But his parent made him that way. He was raised that way
@@frankmarano1118 thats a dangerous game of sympathy your playing, anyone who would allow themselves to take the life of another is already a warped human being, they dont value human life the same as your average person, there is no amount of abuse that can be thrust upon someone to make them change that way, it is their decision and their decision alone to do such an act, there are numerous cases of people growing up in extremely dyfunctional families such as the Ferrels and have not gone on to murder or sexually abuse animals or other human beings, this is a side of psychopathy and there is no excuse for it, i implore you to NEVER try to find excuses for evil people like this, although the parents definately are evil you end up making that decision for yourself whether you want to follow that path, the ability to constantly be able to drive around means they had multiple oppurtunities to leave the household and get out of the situation, maybe not permanately but enough to help, they made those decisions themselves
@@bladeofveng I wasnt finding any excuses for this behavior, I mean I'm pro death penalty right? My only point was if someone was abused as a child or b.washed into something I dont know if they really deserve the same thing as someone influenced by nothing but the evil within their heart. I never said anything about trusting them, I said he belongs locked away from society for the rest of his life. I think I'm being pretty nuanced here, I'm not some bleeding heart, it's just taking into account that permanent developmental damage was done on them by the parent. If a monster is made by an evil adult who may have been normal with other parents, I think it deserves some pity.. but stronger people wouldve resisted the influence of the parent so I'm not I'm theres NO accountability for them. Either way they need to be locked away forever, with the key thrown away. People overly sympathetic would be talking about re entering them into society & F that lol. Just saying if someone is raised to be a monster, & they end up doing something monstrous, it shouldnt really surprise anyone. I'm not sure what chance they really had for a normal life.
Every other content creator on RU-vid: "Please, Please, Pleaseeeee subscribe and smash that bell button, pleaseeee". Mike: "Thank you so much for watching I really appreciate it. Go on now, I'll see you in the next one!"
I LOVE that Mike doesn't beg for likes and subs in his videos!!!!! That is sooooo annoying. Especially for regular viewers. Like we don't know how YT works?! Mike seems humble and real. His views show the effects. 👍
Without being offensive...that's why I love this channel and can't stomach the Make Up and Crime ones..how you going to tell a horrible horrific story while painting your face? The only one I actually can stomach is Hailey Elizabeth channel...I'm little out of her normal demographic but she does alot of research and speaks well. Some people are just natural story tellers.
I played a lot of Vampire the Masquerade in the 90s. So when this was in the news it was something I paid a lot of attention to. It made us nerds and geeks look really bad.
He's better in more recent interviews. He never really had any sense of identity as a kid, apart from a fantasy one, so he's slowly had to learn who he is.
I remember the incident at the animal shelter. It made national news. I didn't hear about the subsequent events so thanks for the update. So horrible but it was the logical progression for kids like that. He was right. If it hadn't been the parents, it would have been someone else. That mother is a piece of work. Have a great vacation! And we'll see you in the next one.
Hahaha!!! LOVE the vampire getup!!! Yeah, I would've been a vampire up until the time we hurt animals or children....that's where they've totally lost me....
I worked in a high school back in 2000. There was this edgy kid that told me he was a vampire, and that he was over 300 years old. He waited for my response, but it was too stupid so I had no response at all and just ignored him. Sometimes I wonder what happened to that kid.
@@jan6264 I wasn't a teacher, I was a cleaner. I know this kid told all his teachers, he told all his little friends. I definitely wasn't in a position of authority over this kid. I did have a sort of class with kids teaching them life skills, by giving them a job during one hour, these were mentally disabled kids. For those kids, I wrote letters of reference. I gave them compliments. I helped two of them get jobs at fast food restaurants, which, for them, was immense. This rando kid was just someone who struck up a conversation with me. You need to be real about expectations. If you had a stranger on the street tell you some odd things, but not harmful things, would you immediately go and get someone in authority to fix them, or would you keep walking? Take a look at yourself, first.
Agreed, I can't stand the creepy voices, the only crime vids I can watch are those of people talking normally, and I feel like people talking in a more "professiona" and "elegantl" way like Jim can't swim or others even more pleasant to listen to
I just left there back to the west where people are just faaaar more accepting & understanding. No offense but Florida is a godawful sauna with insects and proudly flown confederate flags (most of my family were born there and still live there, I'm allowed to poke fun - _seweet tayy!_ .) Most of my family live near the highest point in the state. It's a rough and demanding hike at 345ft, took me 3 days.
Given that I'm watching this in December 2022, after hearing Mike say *this* 2:17 all I can think of is Herschel Walker saying "vampires are some cool people, are they not?" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 The best thing about recently (earlier this year) finding Mike & TC is having 400+ videos to binge whenever I want!! Much love & appreciation to the person who commented on a Mr. Ballen video about That Chapter being another one of her favorites. Found him then & haven't stopped watching since!! The stories are profound, Mike's infectious personality & knack for levity at just the right moments, even more so. Keep on giving it a goo Mike, cause we love ya!!
Oh wow, Mike- you finally did THIS one! Rod and his pals came from my town- never thought I'd hear you talking about Eustis FL! I live right near that "spooky" cemetery pal. Good craic. I actually sold Heather Wendorf a bag of the devil's lettuce way back in the day one time.
@@skr570EsideCrazeeCatLady it was so long ago, and at the time I didn't even know who she was. It was maybe a couple years after the killings. If the cops wana come get me for that let em.
I went to school with Rod. It was such a huge blow to our community we didn’t fully understand the scope of what truly happened. Such a sad time for Eustis as a whole.
Yeah i get it. It was too much. When I was in 12th grade in Canberra, Oz,in 1987, two of my best female friends dated a student at a military college who was expelled, went home to his mums in Melbourne, then got his guns and went on a massacre, killing 8 innocent people on the street that night. All of our group knew him. He seemed cool, had a nice car, drove me home from school one day. It blew all our minds when it happened.The guy, Julian Knight, is still in jail. They really don't want to let him out even though he's well past parole date.
I get the impression he would have turned out alright if he'd just gotten away from his mother, and had someone really seen him and heard him without enabling him. I feel awful for the people he killed, but I can't help seeing a confused little boy who wasn't loved right as a child and that makes me want to just... give his inner child that's crying out for help a hug and tell him he's safe.
@@river8760 It was. He's a clever guy. Got himself educated while incarcerated, and has now been designated what they call a "vexatious litigant. " It basically means he's been nothing but a bad headache for the legal system in the state of Victoria. Launching complaint after complaint. He still sees himself as a victim, even 35 years after shooting dead 8 people on Hoddle St, Melbourne. He's a piece of shit.
Bruce is competent to stand trial. Problem: He's finding new ways to delay the process because he already knows that he is screwed. He's playing a game.
I volunteer at a shelter and just imagining that scene with the dogs and puppies is a nightmare- he deserved DP for that alone. If he had been charged with a proper sentence, than that poor family may have been spared. They always start with animals.
@@j.h.d.2153 do you what happens when old people die alone and unexpectedly in their own homes? Often, their cats or dogs, unable to escape the house and find food, will start to eat their deceased owner, usually face first, as its the softest and most exposed part of the body. So much for a loving relationship eh? Just think about that for a second when you put an animal life "1000%" above that of an human being...
@@jamien134 Do you know what happens when humans start to starve to death and there's no food and one of them dies? They start to cook and eat the felsh of the dead. Their kids. Their friends.Their parents. Happened endless times throughout history. Two famous examples are the 1970s Andes plane crash with the football team who ate each other's flesh to survive, and the Donner Party episode on the Oregon Trail back in the 1800s where families ate each other to survive a fierce winter trapped without food. So much for a loving human relationship, right? Guess what. The drive to eat when starving is primal in ALL SPECIES, Including our own. You would likely do the same in a prolonged famine, like millions of others throughout history. An obligate carnivore trapped with a corpse would be dumb not to, tbqh. Says little about their relationship before the death. Once you're dead, you're nothing but decaying meat anyway.
There's a difference in being in a toxic household, and being raised in a fantasy world. And I hate hearing that, yes, a lot of people who're abused don't murder people. But not everyone who is can cope properly or at all. You get people like this and other sociopaths. Abuse and toxic families are the biggest reason for people like this guy and his clan. It's part nature, and a LOT of nurture, or lack there of in this case.
@@MyLadyPanda it doesn't matter. Still a lot of people grow up in dysfunctional families even get abused by their parents daily but they don't grow up to become a killer. That's no excuse to kill.
@@ea8269 I didn't say it was an excuse. It is the WHOLE REASON they are the way they are. And yes, lots of people who are abused don't kill. But not everyone handles it the same. It's like road rage. Some people who get cut off just get a little irritated and let it be.. Others will chase the person down and get violent with the person who cut them off. Most people will let it go, but there are a number who won't. Same with abused people and murder, most will not become killers, but a handful will.
We love you too, Mike! I’ve been binging the show lately, relistening to some old ones I heard before I got distracted with life and waiting to reach the new ones I haven’t seen. But it’s so nice to hear 3-7 times a day that you love me 😂
Wouldn't it be hilarious if this was all an act and in real life he's a jaded, spiteful person? I'm not at all saying he is but that would just be funny imo
Mike, I am impressed on your make up skills !!! 😳 And that lick the finger-touch the brow thing in the end cracked me up !!! Longtime fan of yours and I don´t understand why like Netflix or Hulu or some empire like that hasn´t contacted you about doing a series for them !!!!!! The quality, the storytelling, the humor and editing everything is on fire in each and every episode! Greetings from Iceland to you Mike and lots of love and also to everyone here in my crime family 🤓😍
why do people want him dependant from Netflix if he can do a much better Job with his own team? They don't have anything to offer than being dependant on them for the quick buck.
Mike: "Let me know what month it is when you're watching this in the comments below.." Me: *paranoid feeling like a creep, waiting hungrily for that sweet sweet hit of a new TC upload to watch the day it pops up*
For real. I go back to the oldies, too. We've got it bad bad. I member when he was arggggh, a pirate, and wore tinfoil headgear. You've come a long way, bud! Shoot the moon!