Mickey Thompson Case "Solved" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Or So It Seems · 05-11-2002, 10:23 PM

Credit UM with another high profile success (they were crucial in breaking the Martha Moxley case open too).

Although it wasn't updated on the most recent airing of the segment on Lifetime there has been an arrest in the Mickey Thompson murders, originally profiled in 1989. Here's the article (dated 4/20/02) with UM reference:

"HEADLINE: Former business partner ordered to trial in slaying of racer Mickey Thompson

DATELINE: SANTA ANA, Calif.

BODY:
Enough evidence exists to try a former business partner of Mickey Thompson for the 1988 killings of the racing legend and his wife, a Superior Court judge ruled Thursday.

Michael Goodwin, 57, was ordered to stand trial on two counts of murder and three special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and multiple murders. He could face in life in prison without parole if convicted. Orange County Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno, who ordered Goodwin to trial, also denied a request by defense attorneys to have him released on bail.

Goodwin, a longtime suspect in the case, has pleaded innocent.

He and Thompson were once partners in promoting off-road racing. Goodwin was dubbed the "father of Supercross" after moving the competitions into stadiums and arenas in the 1970s.

Prosecutors claim he arranged the murders after a falling-out over business matters. Their disputes resulted in a series of lawsuits and a $514,000 judgment that forced Goodwin into bankruptcy.

Thompson, 59, and his wife, Trudy, 41, were shot to death outside their house in the gated community of Bradbury, 15 miles east of Los Angeles. Witnesses said the couple were killed by a pair of gunmen who fled on bicycles. The gunmen have never been caught.

Goodwin was arrested in December after two witnesses came forward. Prosecutors chose to try the case in Orange County because that's where they say Goodwin allegedly masterminded the killings.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Mark Lillienfeld testified Monday that Goodwin's ex-girlfriend claimed Goodwin was obsessed with Thompson because he felt the racing legend had ruined him when their business partnership soured.

Lillienfeld said Gail Hunter also told him that Goodwin admitted his involvement after the couple watched an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries," telling her he hired two men to carry out the murders.

Goodwin's attorney, Jeff Benice, argued during the four-day hearing that Hunter made up the story, calling her a disgruntled ex-girlfriend who spent time in a mental institution and once tried to kill herself.

Prosecutors presented another witness who testified that Goodwin and his wife were visiting him in January 1988 when Goodwin complained that he was being destroyed financially by Thompson.

"He's taking everything I've got. I'm going to take him out," William Wilson quoted Goodwin as saying.

Thompson, known as the "Speed King," was the first person to travel more than 400 mph on land. He also built and drove racing's first slingshot dragster and set nearly 500 auto speed and endurance records. "

TJ · 05-19-2002, 07:58 PM

There's a 48 Hours Mysteries special on CBS on this case on Monday for anybody interested.

Or So It Seems · 05-20-2002, 11:24 PM

After watching the 48 Hours piece I am less convinced that Goodwin did it.

There is no physical evidence whatsoever against him. The only thing the police seem to have are some eyewitnesses that say he was near the crime scene or that he threatened to kill Mickey Thompson. And we all know how unreliable eyewitnesses can be. Remember the Carrie Lynn Nixon and Dee Dee Rosenthal cases on Unsolved?

I'm not saying Goodwin didn't do it. He had the motive. It was clear that the murder was an assassination, not a robbery.

In the 48 Hours piece there was no mention of the stun gun or the alleged comments of Goodwin while he watched Unsolved. It will be interesting to see if any evidence comes out during the trial.

treeman · 08-18-2007, 10:42 AM

Just watched this on 48 hours. I think the second time it has been on.
Very interesting case. I know there is no evidence that Goodwin did it but really there was that guy who he said i'm going to take him down or something.
That was the biggest piece of evidence for me.

kadrmas15 · 08-21-2007, 10:23 PM

Well, that is if you assume what the guy said was the truth. I dont know about this, a guy getting convicted of two counts of first degree pre meditated murder when he was neither at the scene nor is there any evidence he had paid anyone, etc, I dont know, I mean I get people wanted someone to pay for the murder of Mickey Thompson and his wife but my gosh have some evidence other than just a piece of hearsay evidence which was really all the prosecution had.

Todd Mueller · 09-18-2007, 12:52 AM

Did anyone else see the 48 Hours piece and have more to add?

I did not get to see it. I'm curious if they ever found, or have leads on, the two black guys seen riding bikes from the scene. Interesting they have the suspected mastermind but not the ones who did the killing (if the witnesses are correct).

I also find it funny they didn't mention the stun gun. That was key to the whole abduction gone wrong theory.

nohwheregirl · 02-02-2008, 02:16 AM

I just saw a commercial on TruTV/CourtTV that the show Murder By the Book will be showing the Mickey Thompson case this Monday, Feb 4th, at 10:00pm EST.

kamy · 02-05-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

Did anyone else see the 48 Hours piece and have more to add?

I did not get to see it. I'm curious if they ever found, or have leads on, the two black guys seen riding bikes from the scene. Interesting they have the suspected mastermind but not the ones who did the killing (if the witnesses are correct).

I also find it funny they didn't mention the stun gun. That was key to the whole abduction gone wrong theory.

I'm finally asking, TM, whose in your avatar?

mozartpc27 · 02-05-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamy

I'm finally asking, TM, whose in your avatar?

I believe that's Todd Mueller, who was profiled in a UM case. I forget the details though.

kamy · 02-05-2008, 01:12 PM

Oh geez, I guess you would have thought I would have gotten that from his name!
What was the case? Name doesn't ring a bell.....

crystaldawn · 02-05-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamy

Oh geez, I guess you would have thought I would have gotten that from his name!
What was the case? Name doesn't ring a bell.....

He was a conman from Hawaii. Its on volume 11.

05-11-2002, 10:23 PM	#1
Or So It Seems Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 06, 2002 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 196	Mickey Thompson Case "Solved" Credit UM with another high profile success (they were crucial in breaking the Martha Moxley case open too). Although it wasn't updated on the most recent airing of the segment on Lifetime there has been an arrest in the Mickey Thompson murders, originally profiled in 1989. Here's the article (dated 4/20/02) with UM reference: "HEADLINE: Former business partner ordered to trial in slaying of racer Mickey Thompson DATELINE: SANTA ANA, Calif. BODY: Enough evidence exists to try a former business partner of Mickey Thompson for the 1988 killings of the racing legend and his wife, a Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. Michael Goodwin, 57, was ordered to stand trial on two counts of murder and three special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, murder for financial gain and multiple murders. He could face in life in prison without parole if convicted. Orange County Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno, who ordered Goodwin to trial, also denied a request by defense attorneys to have him released on bail. Goodwin, a longtime suspect in the case, has pleaded innocent. He and Thompson were once partners in promoting off-road racing. Goodwin was dubbed the "father of Supercross" after moving the competitions into stadiums and arenas in the 1970s. Prosecutors claim he arranged the murders after a falling-out over business matters. Their disputes resulted in a series of lawsuits and a $514,000 judgment that forced Goodwin into bankruptcy. Thompson, 59, and his wife, Trudy, 41, were shot to death outside their house in the gated community of Bradbury, 15 miles east of Los Angeles. Witnesses said the couple were killed by a pair of gunmen who fled on bicycles. The gunmen have never been caught. Goodwin was arrested in December after two witnesses came forward. Prosecutors chose to try the case in Orange County because that's where they say Goodwin allegedly masterminded the killings. Los Angeles County sheriff's Detective Mark Lillienfeld testified Monday that Goodwin's ex-girlfriend claimed Goodwin was obsessed with Thompson because he felt the racing legend had ruined him when their business partnership soured. Lillienfeld said Gail Hunter also told him that Goodwin admitted his involvement after the couple watched an episode of "Unsolved Mysteries," telling her he hired two men to carry out the murders. Goodwin's attorney, Jeff Benice, argued during the four-day hearing that Hunter made up the story, calling her a disgruntled ex-girlfriend who spent time in a mental institution and once tried to kill herself. Prosecutors presented another witness who testified that Goodwin and his wife were visiting him in January 1988 when Goodwin complained that he was being destroyed financially by Thompson. "He's taking everything I've got. I'm going to take him out," William Wilson quoted Goodwin as saying. Thompson, known as the "Speed King," was the first person to travel more than 400 mph on land. He also built and drove racing's first slingshot dragster and set nearly 500 auto speed and endurance records. "

05-20-2002, 11:24 PM	#3
Or So It Seems Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 06, 2002 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 196	May not be solved after all After watching the 48 Hours piece I am less convinced that Goodwin did it. There is no physical evidence whatsoever against him. The only thing the police seem to have are some eyewitnesses that say he was near the crime scene or that he threatened to kill Mickey Thompson. And we all know how unreliable eyewitnesses can be. Remember the Carrie Lynn Nixon and Dee Dee Rosenthal cases on Unsolved? I'm not saying Goodwin didn't do it. He had the motive. It was clear that the murder was an assassination, not a robbery. In the 48 Hours piece there was no mention of the stun gun or the alleged comments of Goodwin while he watched Unsolved. It will be interesting to see if any evidence comes out during the trial.

02-02-2008, 02:16 AM	#7
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	Heads up! I just saw a commercial on TruTV/CourtTV that the show Murder By the Book will be showing the Mickey Thompson case this Monday, Feb 4th, at 10:00pm EST.

05-19-2002, 07:58 PM	#2
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,668	There's a 48 Hours Mysteries special on CBS on this case on Monday for anybody interested.

08-18-2007, 10:42 AM	#4
treeman -Treeman Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 12, 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 151	Just watched this on 48 hours. I think the second time it has been on. Very interesting case. I know there is no evidence that Goodwin did it but really there was that guy who he said i'm going to take him down or something. That was the biggest piece of evidence for me.

08-21-2007, 10:23 PM	#5
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Well, that is if you assume what the guy said was the truth. I dont know about this, a guy getting convicted of two counts of first degree pre meditated murder when he was neither at the scene nor is there any evidence he had paid anyone, etc, I dont know, I mean I get people wanted someone to pay for the murder of Mickey Thompson and his wife but my gosh have some evidence other than just a piece of hearsay evidence which was really all the prosecution had.

09-18-2007, 12:52 AM	#6
Todd Mueller Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,626	Did anyone else see the 48 Hours piece and have more to add? I did not get to see it. I'm curious if they ever found, or have leads on, the two black guys seen riding bikes from the scene. Interesting they have the suspected mastermind but not the ones who did the killing (if the witnesses are correct). I also find it funny they didn't mention the stun gun. That was key to the whole abduction gone wrong theory.

02-05-2008, 01:12 PM	#10
kamy UM Fanatic Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 25, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 625	Oh geez, I guess you would have thought I would have gotten that from his name! What was the case? Name doesn't ring a bell.....