Crime Junkie

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MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Tripp Brazeale

Explore episode Jun 8, 2026

Where this was said

Why Was the Chase Even Started? The Probable Cause Problem

At 28:12 · chapter starts 23:35

The most foundational question in the Tripp Brazeale case is deceptively simple: why were deputies chasing a 15-year-old on an ATV at midnight? In SSA Mack's recorded interview, Bynum struggles to articulate any clear probable cause — mentioning speed and lateness of the hour, but acknowledging he had no radar reading and no formal reason logged before the pursuit began. Kinney's account isn't much more illuminating: he says the four-wheelers went by at a high rate of speed, he caught up with them, and when he got out to speak to them, one rider took off. The St. Francis County Sheriff's Office pursuit policy, read in full by the hosts, requires officers to immediately log unit ID, speed, direction, license plate, occupant descriptions, and — crucially — the reason supporting the decision to pursue. None of this appears in the record. The Brazils add that community members warned them Tripp had been targeted by the sheriff's office before this night, and that a state trooper had told Gil that members of the department were 'hunting' his son.

True Crime
Why Was Tripp Even Being Chased?

MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Tripp Brazeale · Jun 8, 2026 True Crime

The most fundamental question in this case — why were deputies chasing a 15-year-old on an ATV at midnight? — still has no clear answer. During his formal interview, Deputy Bynum couldn't articulate probable cause, and neither deputy logged a lawful reason before pursuit.

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