Season 8 William Bonin The Freeway Killer Episode 4 "The Freeway Killer's Most Disturbing Accomplice — Vernon Butts
Tony and Al turn their attention to Vernon Butts, one of the most disturbing accomplices in the William Bonin murder spree. Known as the Freeway Killer, Bonin didn't always act alone — and Butts stands out as one of the most unsettling figures in his orbit. This episode features a chilling audio conversation with James Munro, another accomplice who knew Butts personally. Munro offers a haunting firsthand account of Bonin's transformation during his crimes, describing how Bonin's entire demeanor would shift — his appearance and eyes changing into something unrecognizable, almost crazed. Munro also paints a vivid and deeply unsettling portrait of Butts himself: a towering 6'4" figure who didn't just assist in the killings — he relished them. Tony then walks listeners through the first two murders committed by Bonin and Butts together — the deaths of Thomas Lundgren and Mark Shelton. Two victims. Two lives cut short. And as Tony makes clear, it was only the beginning. Standard Legal Disclaimer for Murder Phone: “The content of this podcast, including all phone calls, interviews, and original commentary, is the exclusive property of Murder Phone Podcasts, You Tube Video,Ciaglia Productions and Murder Phone LLC and any and all Murder Phone Productions. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or redistribution of any part of this show—including but not limited to recorded calls with incarcerated individuals—is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. All audio recordings featured in this podcast are used with permission and are protected under copyright law. Any individual or entity using our original material without express written consent will be subject to copyright infringement claims and DMCA takedown notices. Murder Phone is more than a podcast—it’s a protected body of work. Respect it, or face the consequences.”