Obadyah Ben-Yisrayl, formerly known as Christopher Dwayne Peterson, has a complex and controversial story that revolves around a series of crimes committed in Indiana during a short period in 1990. Born on January 20, 1969, in Gary, Indiana, Obadyah later became known as the "Shotgun Killer" due to alleged involvement in a spree of murders involving a shotgun from October to December 1990.

Although originally described by a witness as a clean-shaven, slender, white man with long stringy brown hair, Obadyah, a Black man, was eventually linked to the crimes through nefarious means. He had initially confessed to the murders but later recanted his confession, claiming duress. The trials surrounding the "Shotgun Killer" spree involved multiple defendants, multiple murder charges, and multiple venues, which made the legal proceedings complex and contentious.

Throughout the trials, Obadyah was acquitted in some cases and found guilty in others. He was initially sentenced to death for the murders but had his sentence commuted to 120 years of imprisonment in 2004. Ronald J. Harris, another individual charged in connection with the murders, was found guilty in two cases and received a 90-year prison sentence.

The story surrounding Obadyah’s case is controversial for several reasons. From the discrepancy between the initial suspect description and Peterson's appearance to the illegal arrest that impacted the admissibility of evidence, there were several significant factors that influenced the trials. Additionally, the composition of all-white juries and the judge's decision to overrule a jury's decision not to impose the death penalty further added to the controversy surrounding the case.

The crimes allegedly committed by Obadyah involved the fatal shootings of seven individuals. The investigations led to his arrest, along with the arrest of his accomplices, based on information provided by witnesses and co-defendants. The trials that followed addressed the various charges and involved the presentation of evidence, including Peterson's confessions, witness testimonies, and firearm analysis.

Throughout the trials, there were inconsistencies and doubts raised regarding the evidence and the use of the confessions. Jurors expressed concerns about the reliability of the confessions and pointed out flaws in the investigation, such as the failure to collect fingerprints from the shotgun and the handling of the crime scene. These factors, among others, influenced the juries' decisions in Peterson's trials, resulting in both acquittals and convictions.

This case serves as a chilling reminder of the dehumanizing and corruptible system of justice we have and the nature of criminal cases and challenges faced in the system when attempting to arrive at a just verdict.

His story highlights the importance of thorough investigations, fair trials, and the diligent pursuit of justice for all parties involved.

Here today we have him on the line with us calling in from Pendleton Correctional Facility. Today we will hear his side of the story and what is needed to get justice for him and the victims families impacted by the murders.

Sign his petition linked here.

Episode was co-produced by 448 Productions.