Rodney was the instigator of this conflict, he wasn't prepared to wait by the law for the lease to finish, his actions of cutting off the water in selfishness and greed started this, and he finished it by cold blooded murder. This is tragic for both families and the entire community.
It seems to me Rodney was looking for a confrontation. It wasn't enough to own the land, he had to make it impossible for Tom to use the land by cutting off the water. Plain greed not self defence
You know I wondered why they didn’t say this during the trial . He goaded the man , he did all he could to make the victims life hell and then when the man got pissed he did what any coward would do and shoot him dead . He comes across as a spoiled brat who gets whatever he wants .
He's a control freak and he couldn't control the victim. He's also a sociopath. Why was he even going there at 4am in the winter since he wasn't using that property the victim was? He planned the whole thing.
His award was appealed and based in new Iowa law enacted by the Supreme Court, she had to pay Rodney several million dollars for making him kill Lyons and him being in jail for 8 years.
I don't believe in his self defense theory because if it was self defense why not call police right after the murder so that's bs he murdered that man in cold blood.
Why not just call the cops? Rather dragging a dead man to dump him in a hole? Like animal carcass?? He never cried for the dead man family it’s just himself his family? Sad
When he didn't even attempt to offer some sort of apology to Mr. Lyons family, it spoke volumes about his character and who he cared about...it was his own hide he was concerned with. His tears were for himself, his motive was about himself and his excuse was LUDICROUS. He, in my opinion, got away with murder. The length of his prison sentence was insulting.
The missing apology to the family was very obvious. I agree that it makes more sense that he shot him while he was in the truck that is why it is a headshot. He should have gotten a much longer sentence for dragging his body down the road. This is very disturbing.
What is the purpose of being a juror when all the time you spend listening to the evidence is thrown away. This is happening more often with our crooked judicial system.
@@bruggeman672 I totally agree. There was a woman here a few years back and her family tried to put in a missing report for her and they said she'll show up she'll show up. They're right she showed up at a state park buried in a shallow grave covered with Lumber. It's sad that she's dead but it's even sadder she had her daughter with her at the time she went missing. So who took that three year old little girl. It just drives me freaking crazy. And I know the police always say you need to wait 3 days or wait 72 hours before they will file a report for a missing person. I can't remember who told me but they said that's not true that's not a law that's just what they want you to do is wait and see if they'll turn up because they don't want to have to do the work that they're actually getting paid to do.
@@wildechild5 yeah they lie to the very public who they are supposed to be protecting and serving. Mind they also kill the public so i suppose it's no shock.
@@wildechild5 as a LE graduate and from insider knowledge I can tell you that this is absolutely true! I tell everyone I know- waiting for 24/48/72 hours is NOT THE LAW- it is usually a departmental “policy”- UNWRITTEN AND OBJECTIONABLE!! Don’t let anyone tell you that you or your family has to wait for any period of time after a person has gone missing!! Tell your local news station immediately- if you have to that the local law enforcement is refusing to help you and go live in that way- and any other ways possible to get attention on your missing loved one!!! Hopefully this will get you the help you need to find them safe and return them home!
This is so sad you killed a man because of your ego and walked away with a slap On the wrist??? Prayers to Tom’s family, he showed no remorse he didn’t even apologize to the Lyons family
I think he planned; followed him and did something to antagonize the victim to get him to stop, cause there is know way the victim would have know who was behind in the dark. All you can see is lights.
He definitely got away with murder. He was not scared for his life. He was ANGRY & decided to show a “DEFENSELESS MAN” that he did have the balls to shoot. Every tear he shed was for himself & HIS OWN FAMILY. Another fail for our warped justice system. RIP Tom Lyons
I can't believe the leniency of the sentence. A disadvantaged, deprived, and abused young man barely out of childhood growing up in the urban jungle kills another equally disadvantaged young man, in the heat of the moment, and he gets life without parole or even worse. A privileged supposedly mature rural farmer kills in cold blood a person he has already harmed and gets away with ten years. Bit of a problem with the sentencing guidelines.
This sounds like road rage but now that he’s on the stand, he’s pulling the classic “I was scared” routine🙄🙄🙄 Side note, if it was truly self defense, why cover it up and get rid of the murder weapon!?? 🤔🤔🤔
His poor wife! I am so sad for her but I love her statement to him. She's absolutely right, he shot him from his truck window. It absolutely was premeditated, he knew were the was a hole to HIDE him in!!!!!! It's BS that he got such a short sentence!! That poor woman, I hope he gets what's coming to him. Hopefully the widow can go after his wealth for a civil suit.
If it was premeditated, why would he say all the stupid self implicating stuff at his first interview? It might have been a murder but definitely not premeditated.
Privilege? Um. What? It's self-inflated confidence... not "privilege". Markeith Loyd also took the stand claiming self-defense, after murdering his girlfriend, a female officer, shooting at a passing car and hiding out for days with loaded weapons. But sure, let's go with "privilege".
@@projectionv.accountability1010he comparison is not valid. Markeith Lloyd got the death penalty. Clearly his sentence wasn’t the result of privilege. This man used his ⚪️ tears to convince ppl it was self defense and is out free walking around
I think he was crying for himself. Because of what he was going through. He had no remorse for the victim. It was all about him. He is a sociopath. And got off pretty light considering he probably planned the whole thing. Why else was he there? He wasn't using the property the victim was.
@ 25:17 Here he said Tom stepped back a bit. He didn’t lunge at him, he stepped back away. There it is right there. Tom had a lease and the prick turned off the water for his cattle. @ 28:56 He came around the back of the pickup and Tom stepped back away.
That podcaster adds a lot to the story: "You can tell there are so many emotions going through his head. He's scared. He's frightened." Thank you for that distinction.
I love this ME I watched him on another trial and he talks in terms a lay person can understand. I have 20 years in the medical field and would love to work with this guy.
This happened in the small town my Dad was raised in. I still don’t believe it happened, it’s shocking. The reason was ridiculous. I feel horrible for the victims family. He didn’t deserve to die.
I agree - Heemstra purchased the land knowing it was under lease and he would be required to honor the lease. There was only a few months left but instead of honoring the legal contract, he chose to harass Tom Lyon then ultimately kill him. It makes me think of the bad neighbor shows - I don’t understand how adults act this way.
Putting a neighbour you just murdered head first into a well is a sign of utter contempt. He was the aggressor from the outset. No thought for the animals suffering. No thought to wait for the lease to end. No thought for a husband, father and a hard working farmer. Nasty piece of work.
Rodney was definitely looking for a confrontation....he kept doing all he could to aggravate the situation...he got away with murder....but I doubt if the fact he murdered an unarmed man will bother him at all...if he had truly been in fear of his life he would have driven away...in almost any other county he would have been found guilty of murder...
You cannot call the fatal shooting of an unarmed empty-handed man at point blank range being in fear of your life and acting in self defense. I'm staggered he ever thought that one would fly.
@@monicasaenz1736 She needs to pay less attn to her (hit & miss) outfits and more attn to the simple task she's been relegated as their "recapper" after she erroneously recapped the victim who was actually shot while travelling in her vehicle from the occupants travelling in the vehicle behind had been shot after the vehicle pulled up along side her vehicle and then in the next recap, changed it up again and erroneously reported the victim had been shot from the backseat of her vehicle! (I thought she was a journalist, lol).
Wow I agreed with the first judgement, can’t understand or agree with the second. If he had of called 911 after the shot I could understand self defence but to drag body to the well, to hide the weapon & burn clothes that suggests something different from self defence. RIP Tom 🙏
How could it possibly be self defense? He could have got back in his truck and left. His whole story don't make sense. I don't understand why it wasn't 2nd degree murder.
I was personally offended that Rodney had the gall to thank those who prayed for him and give them God's blessing for doing so when he couldn't even express an ounce of remorse to the widow of the man he killed/murdered. He gives Christianity a real bad name.
I love how this liar is coming up with all these curse words Tom supposedly said to him. Really trying to dramatize the situation and of course, the good ole “ I was in fear for my life “. I tell u this, if someone is egging me on, on the street, looking for a fight, and I can drive my ass outta that situation, I’d drive away. That’s what I would do if I was in fear for my life. I wouldn’t get out of my car, confront the person, then escalate the situation by walking over to the passenger side of my car and get a gun, in his words“ to neutralize the situation”. Complete horses#$t! And IF I escalated as such and killed a person, that is still not self defense because I had another choice. Taking a life should only occur if absolutely necessary to spare yours. That is self defense
I’ve only been to court twice, but when I realized people lie under oath, I was truly shocked. I was sure the woman with the scales would rap me upside the head if I lied. I was so, so naïve.🙈
Move it to Iowa and you can get away with murder. If he wasn’t carrying a gun, why he shot him? He wasn’t intimidated, he is a coward. If the guy was a bully, you don’t just shoot them, c’mon.
His account on the night is what happened... If it was self defense ANYONE would've mentioned it in the first conversation with police, stress or not, he explained what happened pretty damn good and not only did he not mention self defense but clearly stated that the victim was defenseless. Stress make him throw that tidbit in there?
And on top of that he refers to his "self defense" claim as a "minute detail". at 32:35. In what world, is a person defending themselves against someone trying to harm them a minute detail?? Like you said it is the FIRST thing anyone that was legitimately in fear of their life would tell the cops. He is such a liar and I cannot believe that they fell for his BS and gave him only 8 years.
If you’re afraid of someone or what they will do, you don’t turn your back to them at any point. You keep them in your sight so you can see what they’re doing and if they’re going to attack you. It’s basic instinct to keep yourself alive.
@@dawnnj3235 But he fast found a resting place to hide a man's body, as he thought only he knew about, but he made some bloody marks on the way for a disposal site.
Rodney is trying his best to remember the made up story he told police. Remember this guy is a go getter, a shrewd business man and really tuff. He is used to getting what he goes for no matter the cost. Only here, the sticks and stones didn’t break is bones, but the words certainly did. He has only himself to blame, and the very fact he covered it up instead of calling an ambulance just shows his true nature. And for someone who said he didn’t know how to really shoot, his shot to Tom right between the eyes was certainly a well played shot to kill, just like shooting a deer! I’m sure his family and friends under oath would say he was an excellent shooter and hunter……
First of all Rodney’s story is not self defense. If someone challenges you to a fight and you can easily turn your car and drive off, but instead you proceed to fight, then up the ante and pull out a gun and shoot the other person, that is not the definition of self defense. He said the victim pretty much dared him to shoot and he did….what??! Men have a way of escalating issues, then killing the person, acting as if that was their only recourse, BS! He had motive. And those alligator tears to the police, were only for himself and were not because of remorse or regret. Cut the s#$t!
We say in the Caribbean "its not what you know it's who". This man missed a warm plate of food and had a search party in 3 hours , another human is missing for a day, missed collecting their children, missed work, a victim of domestic violence and nothing is done. The reason this earth will come to an end,1) life is hard, 2) fairness is not equal.
It wasn’t self defense at all. You can hear him lying over and over. What a nut. If it was self defense he wouldn’t have needed a reason to lie initially and then disparage the victim. Rodney is disgusting.
I lived in a small town in Iowa. Farmers are a stubborn bunch. You have to be to farm. This doesn’t surprise me at all. All the farmers I knew were judgmental and short-tempered and once they made up their mind there was no reasoning with them.
Correct. Many farmers are. Only I think in this case Rodney was a coward. He couldn't physically fight with Tom. So he played dirty games (like shutting off the water) and ended up using his gun. This was murder. In the end, after years of legal battle (in which he tried to hide money by "giving it" to relatives), he lost almost all his land and assets to Ronda.
Probably most are. But I met way too many who claimed to have faith, but were mean, judgmental, and hateful when they didn't get their own way. Trust me. I have years of stories to tell.
@@xeno4746 I hope I'm not duplicating a reply. I tried to reply and lost it. Yes, I agree. Murder is never acceptable and what he did was extremely wrong. No excuse. It really doesn't surprise me, though. Honestly, there are a lot of dark stories to tell about rural farming, especially the large, old ones. When you're talking about hundreds of years of legacy you're trying to protect, there's a lot weighing on your shoulders. And it takes a certain kind of tenacity and downright thick-headedness to survive that long in farming especially now. You never want to go toe to toe with a farmer. When you do, you never forget it. And no matter how right you think you are, they will do all they can to prove you wrong.
There is always a chance to walk away. I suffered a miscarriage, after recuperating at my Sister's home; I can home and walked in to find another woman in my bed in her lingerie. The room turned red.....red mist. My instant thought was to attack my then-husband by going downstairs to get a weapon. I just said to myself it's done. No one world have faulted me, but I realised there was nothing to fight for, I proceeded with the divorce. There is always a choice. If I had attended him and he had been injured I would have spent the rest of my life wishing I could take it back. I decided not to act and to keep my dignity and to keep a grip of myself.
I wonder if Mrs. Lyon will see any of the money awarded her. I hope at least for the sake of the family,that the killer will have to sell some of his land or hand it over to her.
The host's fashion choices are so often WOW. Maybe it's because I haven't watched TV or entertainment for years, but she often surprises me with how unusual and gorgeous her clothing is. So stylish and distinct!
I thought the failure of Rodney Steemsra to respect and honour Tom Lyon's legal right to graze his cattle on that piece of land until the following March and the spiteful and petty way he shut off the water supply to that land was unreasonable and unjust and a nasty act of deliberate sabotage. Tom was allowed to be upset and offended. He did not deserve to be slaughtered like the rabbits Rodney had previously shot and apparently knew on sight were dead. Did no-one teach him about checking for faint signs of life and CPR and dialling 911. That might have been at least some sign of remorse. Instead, he disposed of Tom's body in a contemptible way that must have been unbelievably distressing to his widow and family and then set about disposing of all the other evidence of his crime in a cold and heartless manner. The only person Rodney was sorry for was himself. I think he should should have had a much longer sentence.
Just watched this episode. I am happy Mrs. Lyons took him to civil court and won. The win won’t bring Tom back, but hopefully it puts a financial burden on Rodney.
No self respecting farmer cuts off the water for the stock. Just like no decent man drags a human being behind a truck. Those actions alone are spineless, but shooting an unarmed man is outright cowardice.
Watch #SomeoneTheyKnew with #TamronHall | A #CourtTV Original Series - New Episodes Sunday 9/8c court.tv/FindUs
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If you hurt/killed someone in self defense, go to police. Don’t bury the body.
On the point.
Exactly! He’s a lying guilty murderer
Exactly
Exactly
Killers gonna LIE.
Mrs Lyon didn't mince any words in her impact statement, such a strong woman, what a terrible loss she suffered.
His recorded confession.
That fake crying and bullshit story.
He wanted the land that's it.
Agreed. It was greed 100%
Rodney was the instigator of this conflict, he wasn't prepared to wait by the law for the lease to finish, his actions of cutting off the water in selfishness and greed started this, and he finished it by cold blooded murder. This is tragic for both families and the entire community.
Indeed. I'm friends with their kids. I even worked with Ronda.
It seems to me Rodney was looking for a confrontation. It wasn't enough to own the land, he had to make it impossible for Tom to use the land by cutting off the water. Plain greed not self defence
Exactly, and stupid ego and pride.
We don't know the facts regarding the water, as it was earlier stated the pipes had frozen over? Misunderstandings on maybe many levels....
@@LadyLsound if he was wicked enough to drag the man a mile he definitely turned off part of the water
You know I wondered why they didn’t say this during the trial . He goaded the man , he did all he could to make the victims life hell and then when the man got pissed he did what any coward would do and shoot him dead . He comes across as a spoiled brat who gets whatever he wants .
He's a control freak and he couldn't control the victim. He's also a sociopath. Why was he even going there at 4am in the winter since he wasn't using that property the victim was? He planned the whole thing.
8 years for a man's life. Shameful...Thankfully Mrs. Lyons sued the heck out of him successfully!
His award was appealed and based in new Iowa law enacted by the Supreme Court, she had to pay Rodney several million dollars for making him kill Lyons and him being in jail for 8 years.
I don't believe in his self defense theory because if it was self defense why not call police right after the murder so that's bs he murdered that man in cold blood.
How can you claim self defense when you try to hide evidence? The second sentence he got is an insult and a slap in the face to Tom and his family 🤬
It can still be self defense. What he does with the body after the fact is a separate circumstance( by law)
@@elvinkrigsman6956 but was he charged for that?
Why not just call the cops? Rather dragging a dead man to dump him in a hole? Like animal carcass?? He never cried for the dead man family it’s just himself his family? Sad
He might have still been alive
Cause he was attempting to cover up a murder
When he didn't even attempt to offer some sort of apology to Mr. Lyons family, it spoke volumes about his character and who he cared about...it was his own hide he was concerned with. His tears were for himself, his motive was about himself and his excuse was LUDICROUS. He, in my opinion, got away with murder. The length of his prison sentence was insulting.
IMO he didn’t apologize because he meant to do it.
@@tili724 , I absolutely 💯% agree.
The missing apology to the family was very obvious. I agree that it makes more sense that he shot him while he was in the truck that is why it is a headshot. He should have gotten a much longer sentence for dragging his body down the road. This is very disturbing.
What is the purpose of being a juror when all the time you spend listening to the evidence is thrown away. This is happening more often with our crooked judicial system.
This is by far the saddest story. Haunted me for days, I can only imagine how his loved ones felt. Even worse justice was not served.🙏
It should be like this in other places too, if someone goes missing you go look for them damn it.
@The Real Wild Child they had a "family friend who's a sheriff". Only reason it happened was cronyism.
Agree.
@@bruggeman672 I totally agree. There was a woman here a few years back and her family tried to put in a missing report for her and they said she'll show up she'll show up. They're right she showed up at a state park buried in a shallow grave covered with Lumber. It's sad that she's dead but it's even sadder she had her daughter with her at the time she went missing. So who took that three year old little girl. It just drives me freaking crazy. And I know the police always say you need to wait 3 days or wait 72 hours before they will file a report for a missing person. I can't remember who told me but they said that's not true that's not a law that's just what they want you to do is wait and see if they'll turn up because they don't want to have to do the work that they're actually getting paid to do.
@@wildechild5 yeah they lie to the very public who they are supposed to be protecting and serving. Mind they also kill the public so i suppose it's no shock.
@@wildechild5 as a LE graduate and from insider knowledge I can tell you that this is absolutely true! I tell everyone I know- waiting for 24/48/72 hours is NOT THE LAW- it is usually a departmental “policy”- UNWRITTEN AND OBJECTIONABLE!! Don’t let anyone tell you that you or your family has to wait for any period of time after a person has gone missing!! Tell your local news station immediately- if you have to that the local law enforcement is refusing to help you and go live in that way- and any other ways possible to get attention on your missing loved one!!! Hopefully this will get you the help you need to find them safe and return them home!
This is so sad you killed a man because of your ego and walked away with a slap
On the wrist??? Prayers to Tom’s family, he showed no remorse he didn’t even apologize to the Lyons family
That wasn't self defense. That was flat out murder.
I'm 14 mins in and can tell the crying is so fake.
@Shawn Newell - Premeditated ... PERIOOODDD!!!!!!!
Absolutely! And his widow getting a judgment against him wont fill her empty arms or heart!
I think he planned; followed him and did something to antagonize the victim to get him to stop, cause there is know way the victim would have know who was behind in the dark. All you can see is lights.
He was angry.....period
Nice self defense shot. Right between the eyes. Seems unlikely
Oh but he wasn't aiming.
@@michaelwaninger3155 😂👍
He definitely got away with murder. He was not scared for his life. He was ANGRY & decided to show a “DEFENSELESS MAN” that he did have the balls to shoot. Every tear he shed was for himself & HIS OWN FAMILY. Another fail for our warped justice system. RIP Tom Lyons
👍 Dry crocodile tears.
Just because someone says you don’t have the balls to do something, doesn’t mean you actually do it!!
I was taught to walk away!
I can't believe the leniency of the sentence. A disadvantaged, deprived, and abused young man barely out of childhood growing up in the urban jungle kills another equally disadvantaged young man, in the heat of the moment, and he gets life without parole or even worse. A privileged supposedly mature rural farmer kills in cold blood a person he has already harmed and gets away with ten years. Bit of a problem with the sentencing guidelines.
Tom pushed his Bottoms one two many times... Intimidating got him killed..
They should sue the murderer in civil court for everything he owns for wrongful death ,if I was a lawyer I would take the case for free
I like how he's concerned with swearing in the courtroom but is actually there for a murder he committed. 🤣😂
😅😅
That wasn’t Rodney that was the sheriff! 🤓
Playing God feared
Also concerned about yielding a gun in the courtroom but at night pointing it at the head of an unarmed man...no problem!
Trying to portray himself as a person of good character. What a fake.
Very rarely and I mean rarely do you have a case of self-defense and somebody hides the body like that give me a break
This sounds like road rage but now that he’s on the stand, he’s pulling the classic “I was scared” routine🙄🙄🙄
Side note, if it was truly self defense, why cover it up and get rid of the murder weapon!?? 🤔🤔🤔
His poor wife! I am so sad for her but I love her statement to him. She's absolutely right, he shot him from his truck window. It absolutely was premeditated, he knew were the was a hole to HIDE him in!!!!!! It's BS that he got such a short sentence!! That poor woman, I hope he gets what's coming to him. Hopefully the widow can go after his wealth for a civil suit.
She did and got 5.4 million
If it was premeditated, why would he say all the stupid self implicating stuff at his first interview? It might have been a murder but definitely not premeditated.
@@ivafrosh7675 It can be considered a premeditated decision in moments actually.
Privilege at its finest that he would even utter a self-defense claim AND take the stand to bolster his lies. Deserving of prison.
Privilege? Um. What? It's self-inflated confidence... not "privilege". Markeith Loyd also took the stand claiming self-defense, after murdering his girlfriend, a female officer, shooting at a passing car and hiding out for days with loaded weapons. But sure, let's go with "privilege".
@@projectionv.accountability1010he comparison is not valid. Markeith Lloyd got the death penalty. Clearly his sentence wasn’t the result of privilege. This man used his ⚪️ tears to convince ppl it was self defense and is out free walking around
Watching him on the stand.. Totally fake crocodile tears
He’s a cold blooded murderer he’s deserving of the first sentence!!! Money does buy justice
Yes!
I think he was crying for himself. Because of what he was going through. He had no remorse for the victim. It was all about him. He is a sociopath. And got off pretty light considering he probably planned the whole thing. Why else was he there? He wasn't using the property the victim was.
@ 25:17 Here he said Tom stepped back a bit. He didn’t lunge at him, he stepped back away. There it is right there. Tom had a lease and the prick turned off the water for his cattle.
@ 28:56 He came around the back of the pickup and Tom stepped back away.
The judges face when he said he stepped backed showed me the judge knew it wasn’t self defence
That podcaster adds a lot to the story: "You can tell there are so many emotions going through his head. He's scared. He's frightened." Thank you for that distinction.
Love this series!! Clicked right away
I love this ME I watched him on another trial and he talks in terms a lay person can understand. I have 20 years in the medical field and would love to work with this guy.
This happened in the small town my Dad was raised in. I still don’t believe it happened, it’s shocking. The reason was ridiculous. I feel horrible for the victims family. He didn’t deserve to die.
I agree - Heemstra purchased the land knowing it was under lease and he would be required to honor the lease. There was only a few months left but instead of honoring the legal contract, he chose to harass Tom Lyon then ultimately kill him. It makes me think of the bad neighbor shows - I don’t understand how adults act this way.
Putting a neighbour you just murdered head first into a well is a sign of utter contempt. He was the aggressor from the outset. No thought for the animals suffering. No thought to wait for the lease to end. No thought for a husband, father and a hard working farmer.
Nasty piece of work.
💯
Rodney was definitely looking for a confrontation....he kept doing all he could to aggravate the situation...he got away with murder....but I doubt if the fact he murdered an unarmed man will bother him at all...if he had truly been in fear of his life he would have driven away...in almost any other county he would have been found guilty of murder...
You cannot call the fatal shooting of an unarmed empty-handed man at point blank range being in fear of your life and acting in self defense. I'm staggered he ever thought that one would fly.
I looove this series, keep them coming
Anything Tamron Hall does, I'm there, cause you know it's going to be good! 🙌🏼 ☺️ J/S!
Mee too
@@monicasaenz1736 She needs to pay less attn to her (hit & miss) outfits and more attn to the simple task she's been relegated as their "recapper" after she erroneously recapped the victim who was actually shot while travelling in her vehicle from the occupants travelling in the vehicle behind had been shot after the vehicle pulled up along side her vehicle and then in the next recap, changed it up again and erroneously reported the victim had been shot from the backseat of her vehicle! (I thought she was a journalist, lol).
EXACTLY I WATCH TWO TO THREE EPISODES EVERY NIGHT I LOVE THIS SERIES AS WELL KEEP THEM COMING 🧐
@@monicasaenz1736 EXACTLY ME TO I LOVE HER🧐
Wow I agreed with the first judgement, can’t understand or agree with the second. If he had of called 911 after the shot I could understand self defence but to drag body to the well, to hide the weapon & burn clothes that suggests something different from self defence. RIP Tom 🙏
How could it possibly be self defense? He could have got back in his truck and left. His whole story don't make sense. I don't understand why it wasn't 2nd degree murder.
I was personally offended that Rodney had the gall to thank those who prayed for him and give them God's blessing for doing so when he couldn't even express an ounce of remorse to the widow of the man he killed/murdered. He gives Christianity a real bad name.
Wolf in Sheep clothing
Correct! Rodney was angry with Toms widow as it relates to her statement.
No condolences to her or the family. I’m happy she sued him and won!
He is a sociopath, unable to feel remorse.
@Robin Laber true but to be fair plenty of people give christianity a bad name.
@@bruggeman672 Isn't that a Bon Jovi song?
That was absolute murder.If it was in self defense, he could have shot him on the leg to incapacitate him.
I love how this liar is coming up with all these curse words Tom supposedly said to him. Really trying to dramatize the situation and of course, the good ole “ I was in fear for my life “. I tell u this, if someone is egging me on, on the street, looking for a fight, and I can drive my ass outta that situation, I’d drive away. That’s what I would do if I was in fear for my life. I wouldn’t get out of my car, confront the person, then escalate the situation by walking over to the passenger side of my car and get a gun, in his words“ to neutralize the situation”. Complete horses#$t! And IF I escalated as such and killed a person, that is still not self defense because I had another choice. Taking a life should only occur if absolutely necessary to spare yours. That is self defense
Well said.
🎯🎯🎯
Amen 👏🏿
This is a great true crime series. It's done so different than all others. Thx. A great find!
*differently
I’ve only been to court twice, but when I realized people lie under oath, I was truly shocked. I was sure the woman with the scales would rap me upside the head if I lied. I was so, so naïve.🙈
Move it to Iowa and you can get away with murder. If he wasn’t carrying a gun, why he shot him? He wasn’t intimidated, he is a coward. If the guy was a bully, you don’t just shoot them, c’mon.
A man that age should know, you don't fight with guns you fist fight. He most certainly got away with murder. Great video well done and good luck 👍 👏
I was thinking the same thing, fist fight.
They definitely let him off easy
Anyone that age should know better than to be fighting at all ffs...
Or use your words!! Naw, he just killed poor Tom, dragged him down the road, threw him in a hole, and hid the evidence. Psychopath.
That’s BS! 8 years 😡
His account on the night is what happened... If it was self defense ANYONE would've mentioned it in the first conversation with police, stress or not, he explained what happened pretty damn good and not only did he not mention self defense but clearly stated that the victim was defenseless. Stress make him throw that tidbit in there?
And on top of that he refers to his "self defense" claim as a "minute detail". at 32:35. In what world, is a person defending themselves against someone trying to harm them a minute detail??
Like you said it is the FIRST thing anyone that was legitimately in fear of their life would tell the cops. He is such a liar and I cannot believe that they fell for his BS and gave him only 8 years.
He’s been out since ‘08. The law is an ass. Tom’s widow sued for $5.6 million in civil court.
Did she win?
@@TariAkpodiete yes!
Thanks for sharing, Tamron.
This wasn't self defense. This was EGO
If you’re afraid of someone or what they will do, you don’t turn your back to them at any point. You keep them in your sight so you can see what they’re doing and if they’re going to attack you. It’s basic instinct to keep yourself alive.
He wanted to degrade him after he killed him. That’s why he drugged his body like that. Made him unrecognizeable
This is truly sad I'm glad she sued him but that's not enough for the loss of her husband
He got away with murder imo.
It was manslaughter actually with a good lawyer
@@dawnnj3235 But he fast found a resting place to hide a man's body, as he thought only he knew about, but he made some bloody marks on the way for a disposal site.
Rodney is trying his best to remember the made up story he told police. Remember this guy is a go getter, a shrewd business man and really tuff. He is used to getting what he goes for no matter the cost. Only here, the sticks and stones didn’t break is bones, but the words certainly did.
He has only himself to blame, and the very fact he covered it up instead of calling an ambulance just shows his true nature. And for someone who said he didn’t know how to really shoot, his shot to Tom right between the eyes was certainly a well played shot to kill, just like shooting a deer! I’m sure his family and friends under oath would say he was an excellent shooter and hunter……
Thank you
Still need this episode to be uploaded more frequently.
The defense attorney was a complete IDIOT for putting this guy on the stand. He sat up there and dug his own grave with every word he said.
Glad she got him where it really hurts...his pockets!
His testimony was totally unbelievable.
Sometimes being a Bully has deadly consequences
Great show ! Tamron Hall is so classy! Dressed to the Ts
First of all Rodney’s story is not self defense. If someone challenges you to a fight and you can easily turn your car and drive off, but instead you proceed to fight, then up the ante and pull out a gun and shoot the other person, that is not the definition of self defense. He said the victim pretty much dared him to shoot and he did….what??! Men have a way of escalating issues, then killing the person, acting as if that was their only recourse, BS! He had motive. And those alligator tears to the police, were only for himself and were not because of remorse or regret. Cut the s#$t!
Indeed. There are NEVER any "winners" in these circumstances.
Great job Tam Tam. Love you girl! 💗
Tam is just the best.
So after he shot lyon in the face he dragged him with a rope using his truck while drink Coors wow. 😳
We say in the Caribbean "its not what you know it's who". This man missed a warm plate of food and had a search party in 3 hours , another human is missing for a day, missed collecting their children, missed work, a victim of domestic violence and nothing is done. The reason this earth will come to an end,1) life is hard, 2) fairness is not equal.
Love this series
It wasn’t self defense at all. You can hear him lying over and over. What a nut. If it was self defense he wouldn’t have needed a reason to lie initially and then disparage the victim. Rodney is disgusting.
These thugs need to b held accountable
I lived in a small town in Iowa. Farmers are a stubborn bunch. You have to be to farm. This doesn’t surprise me at all. All the farmers I knew were judgmental and short-tempered and once they made up their mind there was no reasoning with them.
The farmers that I've known were/are men of faith. Hardworking, salt of the earth ~ real men. A dying breed.
Correct. Many farmers are. Only I think in this case Rodney was a coward. He couldn't physically fight with Tom. So he played dirty games (like shutting off the water) and ended up using his gun. This was murder. In the end, after years of legal battle (in which he tried to hide money by "giving it" to relatives), he lost almost all his land and assets to Ronda.
Probably most are. But I met way too many who claimed to have faith, but were mean, judgmental, and hateful when they didn't get their own way. Trust me. I have years of stories to tell.
@@xeno4746 I hope I'm not duplicating a reply. I tried to reply and lost it. Yes, I agree. Murder is never acceptable and what he did was extremely wrong. No excuse. It really doesn't surprise me, though. Honestly, there are a lot of dark stories to tell about rural farming, especially the large, old ones. When you're talking about hundreds of years of legacy you're trying to protect, there's a lot weighing on your shoulders. And it takes a certain kind of tenacity and downright thick-headedness to survive that long in farming especially now. You never want to go toe to toe with a farmer. When you do, you never forget it. And no matter how right you think you are, they will do all they can to prove you wrong.
Bruh this judge is looking like here we go again with this bullshit , his facial expressions has me dying 🤣🤣🤣
Haven’t watched the ending yet but it’s not self defense that’s for sure
Even Rodney Hemstras wife looking at her reactions in Court doesn’t seem to believe him🤷🏽♀️
Yes!! And the look on her face when he finally got out of prison. She doesn't look very happy about it.😂😂😅
There is always a chance to walk away. I suffered a miscarriage, after recuperating at my Sister's home; I can home and walked in to find another woman in my bed in her lingerie. The room turned red.....red mist. My instant thought was to attack my then-husband by going downstairs to get a weapon. I just said to myself it's done. No one world have faulted me, but I realised there was nothing to fight for, I proceeded with the divorce. There is always a choice. If I had attended him and he had been injured I would have spent the rest of my life wishing I could take it back. I decided not to act and to keep my dignity and to keep a grip of myself.
Sending hugs Julie♥️
I like this one with a twist at the end.
Most of the time defense lawyers make me so mad. Why try to defend a murderer? He’s guilty full stop
I wonder if Mrs. Lyon will see any of the money awarded her. I hope at least for the sake of the family,that the killer will have to sell some of his land or hand it over to her.
Sounds like the right verdict to me.
Shameful, every bit of his testimony was hearsay. GUILTY!!
The host's fashion choices are so often WOW. Maybe it's because I haven't watched TV or entertainment for years, but she often surprises me with how unusual and gorgeous her clothing is. So stylish and distinct!
he dragged the victim behind his car for a mile-- that says it all
I seriously question our legal system. The jury decided he was guilty so the law was changed to lessen the penalty of a murderer.
Love this series 🖒
The description describes a diifferent case
It looked to me like Heemstra was lying on the stand.
It was the judge looking like yeah right
He didn't get away with murder; he'll answer to his Maker!
You gotta be kidding me! You kill somebody, drag them with your truck AND, try to hide the body and get 10 years?!
He planned it. He did it. He got away with it...
Cut the supply of water, because you can?
That's mean, plain evil.
Those are major details!!!!
He’s as guilty as hell.
I thought the failure of Rodney Steemsra to respect and honour Tom Lyon's legal right to graze his cattle on that piece of land until the following March and the spiteful and petty way he shut off the water supply to that land was unreasonable and unjust and a nasty act of deliberate sabotage. Tom was allowed to be upset and offended. He did not deserve to be slaughtered like the rabbits Rodney had previously shot and apparently knew on sight were dead. Did no-one teach him about checking for faint signs of life and CPR and dialling 911. That might have been at least some sign of remorse. Instead, he disposed of Tom's body in a contemptible way that must have been unbelievably distressing to his widow and family and then set about disposing of all the other evidence of his crime in a cold and heartless manner. The only person Rodney was sorry for was himself. I think he should should have had a much longer sentence.
Wow, can't believe this man is free! Well I can believe it...
I am here for the Ms. Hall fashions.
Ohhhh wow he literally got away with MURDER!
👁️👁️. IT ONLY COST MURDERER 43:49 💲5,000,000 MILLION and Time Served⁉️
Absolutely unreal !! He should have gotten life!!! 😡
Just watched this episode. I am happy Mrs. Lyons took him to civil court and won. The win won’t bring Tom back, but hopefully it puts a financial burden on Rodney.
I love Tamrons outfits...she looks fabulous!
He murdered Tom. Period.
That guy provoked him. At least his Not a Coward ! He confess 😳 God will have mercy 🥺 on him.. most peeps don't admit to their horrible situation.
Fear is not a justification for murder
No self respecting farmer cuts off the water for the stock. Just like no decent man drags a human being behind a truck. Those actions alone are spineless, but shooting an unarmed man is outright cowardice.