CLEVELAND — U.S. Marshals have a new tool to heat up a cold case. The national spotlight is being put on Ohio fugitive Lester Eubanks with a podcast.
Eubanks is one of the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted Fugitives.
He was convicted of killing 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener in 1965. A jury convicted him and sentenced him to death. In 1972, his sentence was commuted to life in prison.
On December 7, 1973 Eubanks was allowed to go Christmas shopping in the Columbus area with other inmates. Eubanks never returned.
“In the 70s, there was a change in the criminal justice system, and they thought, 'Let’s try to rehabilitate people.' This is not the type of person who should have been out Christmas shopping in a mall,” said Sunny Hostin, host of the "Have You Seen This Man?" Podcast.
He has been on the run for nearly 46 years.
“We’re still looking for this person and he’s out there,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Anne Murphy.
Tips have led U.S. Marshals to Florida, Michigan, the Columbus, Ohio area and California. But none have led to Eubanks. Now, U.S. Marshals hope a new ABC podcast will help.
“Hopefully, this reach is great and that’s what it takes,” said Murphy.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of Lester Eubanks. Call 1-866-4WANTED. Tips can remain anonymous.
Listen to the first two episodes on "Have You Seen This Man?" on Apple Podcasts here, on Google Podcasts here, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
