As a true crime enthusiast who has followed Mickey Thompson’s story for years, I am deeply intrigued by Netflix’s latest offering, “Homicide: Los Angeles,” and its exploration of the high-profile case of Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy’s murder. The second episode, titled “Race Car Killer,” takes us back to 1988 when the Speed King’s life was tragically cut short in a hail of gunfire.
Netflix’s series “Homicide: Los Angeles” explores the murder of Mickey Thompson, a famous drag racer, and his wife Trudy, at the hands of their former business partner Michael Goodwin. The second episode, named “Race Car Killer,” revisits this old case. It offers new insights into the intriguing trial against Goodwin, who currently serves two life sentences in prison.
Mickey Thompson, known as the “Speed King,” made a name for himself in drag racing by both driving and building faster vehicles, amassing over 500 speed records starting at the age of 25. Unfortunately, his illustrious racing career came to an tragic end when gunmen fatally shot him and his wife, Trudy, outside their Bradbury, California home in March 1988 during early morning hours.
Micky and Trudy Thomson’s murders remained unsolved for a long time. It wasn’t until the arrest of Michael Goodwin, their former business partner, that any progress was made in the case. Goodwin was accused of planning the killings, leading to his eventual conviction. However, there was no physical proof linking him to the crime scene. Despite this, Goodwin was sentenced to two life terms in prison. Unfortunately, the true culprits behind the Thomsons’ deaths have yet to be found.
Where is Mickey Thompson & his wife Trudy’s killer Michael Goodwin now?
Michael Goodwin is currently serving his prison time at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, as stated by the California Department of Corrections. Goodwin received two life sentences in 2007 following his conviction for hiring individuals to commit the murders of Mickey Thompson and Trudy Thompson. However, law enforcement has yet to uncover the true identities of the couple’s killers.
At approximately 6 a.m. on March 16, 1988, two armed men tragically took the lives of Thompson and Trudy outside their home in Bradbury, California’s secured community. The fatal shootings transpired in the couple’s driveway. Several bystanders asserted that they observed two African American men shooting the couple with an execution-like method before making a hasty escape. Both victims sustained numerous gunshot wounds to their torsos as they were preparing to head to work that fateful morning.
Following the tragic deaths of Mickey and Trudy Thompson, there were speculations that they were victims of a botched robbery, until law enforcement identified Michael Goodwin as a possible suspect. Previously regarded as a prime suspect due to his past business partnership with the Thompsons, the case had gone unsolved for 13 long years. In 2001, authorities finally apprehended Goodwin and charged him with planning the murders, even without concrete physical evidence. He stood accused of multiple charges including murder and conspiring to commit murder.
In 2007, Michael Goodwin was found guilty of hiring the killers of Mickey and Trudy Thompson based on the evidence presented against him, according to Reuters. The prosecution claimed that Goodwin and Thompson had previously been business partners, but their relationship turned sour. Goodwin lost a two-year legal battle and was ordered to pay Thompson $514,000 in damages before the murders occurred. After this loss, he filed for bankruptcy, and it was alleged that he confided to friends and associates his desire to see Thompson dead.
Following a jury’s decision in 2007 that Michael Goodwin was responsible for two murder charges, he was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for each offense, according to The Los Angeles Times. Despite this verdict, Goodwin continued to assert his innocence. During his sentencing hearing, Goodwin declared, “I can’t express remorse since I’m not at fault.” He also extended his sympathies to Mickey Thompson’s sister, Collene Campbell. The defendant insists that his trial was biased and denies having a role in the homicides.
In 2015, Goodwin attempted to overturn his conviction in an appeal. Nevertheless, a panel of three judges from the state appellate court rejected his appeal. They emphasized that while there was no tangible proof directly connecting him to the crime, the circumstantial evidence strongly implicated him.
Michael Goodwin remains imprisoned, serving back-to-back life sentences without the possibility of parole, for taking the lives of Mickey and Trudy Thompson.
As a fan excitedly sharing my discovery: I’ve just started watching “Homicide: Los Angeles” on Netflix, and oh boy, is it intriguing! For those unfamiliar with the story, this series delves into the tragic murders of Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy. If you’re as captivated as I am, there are other documentaries and true crime shows where you can learn even more about this heart-wrenching case. Previously explored on “Unsolved Mysteries” and “48 Hours,” this tale continues to leave audiences in awe and suspense.
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2024-07-19 12:45