A major update in Donald Day Jr’s case - the man originally accused of inciting the deadly police ambush has struck a surprise plea deal in the United States. Melissa Downes is joined by Arizona journalist Cody Lillich to unpack the legal twists, the FBI recordings and how Day walked away with a watered-down conviction.

A major update in Donald Day Jr&rsquo;s case - the man originally accused of inciting the deadly police ambush has struck a surprise plea deal in the United States. Melissa Downes is joined by Arizona journalist Cody Lillich to unpack the legal twists, the FBI recordings and how Day walked away with a watered-down conviction.

It was a scene of unspeakable evil when a routine callout turned into Queensland's deadliest police shooting.

Four young police officers were ambushed in the outback town of Wieambilla. Two were executed in cold blood, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. Two officers escaped the siege, injured but alive. Dozens of police reinforcements engaged in a six-hour gunfight against three heavily armed cop killers.

An investigation would unearth a dark and twisted web of conspiracy theories and religiously motivated terrorism. How a routine callout spiraled into a bloody massacre will be probed in a coronial inquest.

The Ultimate Sacrifice is the latest podcast from the acclaimed team of 9News presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, following their multiple award-winning podcast Hannah's Story, and is produced in partnership with 9News and 9Podcasts.

Content Warning: This series contains content that may be distressing for some listeners. 

It was a scene of unspeakable evil when a routine callout turned into Queensland's deadliest police shooting.
Four young police officers were ambushed in the outback town of Wieambilla. Two were executed in cold blood, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. Two officers escaped the siege, injured but alive. Dozens of police reinforcements engaged in a six-hour gunfight against three heavily armed cop killers.
An investigation would unearth a dark and twisted web of conspiracy theories and religiously motivated terrorism. How a routine callout spiraled into a bloody massacre will be probed in a coronial inquest. The Ultimate Sacrifice is the latest podcast from the acclaimed team of 9News presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, following their multiple award-winning podcast Hannah's Story, and is produced in partnership with 9News and 9Podcasts.
Content Warning: This series contains content that may be distressing for some listeners.

Four young officers ambushed; two escaped, two executed in cold blood, an innocent neighbour murdered. How did a routine callout turn into Queensland’s deadliest police shooting?

The Ultimate Sacrifice

It was a scene of unspeakable evil when a routine callout turned into Queensland's deadliest police shooting.

Four young police officers were ambushed in the outback town of Wieambilla. Two were executed in cold blood, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. Two officers escaped the siege, injured but alive. Dozens of police reinforcements engaged in a six-hour gunfight against three heavily armed cop killers.

An investigation would unearth a dark and twisted web of conspiracy theories and religiously motivated terrorism. How a routine callout spiraled into a bloody massacre will be probed in a coronial inquest.

The Ultimate Sacrifice is the latest podcast from the acclaimed team of 9News presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, following their multiple award-winning podcast Hannah's Story, and is produced in partnership with 9News and 9Podcasts.

It was a scene of unspeakable evil when a routine callout turned into Queensland's deadliest police shooting.
Four young police officers were ambushed in the outback town of Wieambilla. Two were executed in cold blood, and an innocent neighbour was also gunned down. Two officers escaped the siege, injured but alive. Dozens of police reinforcements engaged in a six-hour gunfight against three heavily armed cop killers.
An investigation would unearth a dark and twisted web of conspiracy theories and religiously motivated terrorism. How a routine callout spiraled into a bloody massacre will be probed in a coronial inquest. The Ultimate Sacrifice is the latest podcast from the acclaimed team of 9News presenter Melissa Downes and producer Jessica Lodge, following their multiple award-winning podcast Hannah's Story, and is produced in partnership with 9News and 9Podcasts.

Episode 16: The Plea Deal

While we're waiting for updates in the Erin Patterson case, here's another podcast to dive into over the holiday break. 

In The Ultimate Sacrifice, Melissa Downes takes us inside Queensland’s deadliest police shooting. When four young officers were ambushed, two escaped, two were executed in cold blood and an innocent neighbour was also murdered. 
This podcast first retells the shocking events of 12 December, 2022, before taking you inside the Coronial Inquest.

While we're waiting for updates in the Erin Patterson case, here's another podcast to dive into over the holiday break.&nbsp;
In The Ultimate Sacrifice, Melissa Downes takes us inside Queensland&rsquo;s deadliest police shooting. When four young officers were ambushed, two escaped, two were executed in cold blood and an innocent neighbour was also murdered.&nbsp; This podcast first retells the shocking events of 12 December, 2022, before taking you inside the Coronial Inquest.

Listen Next: The Ultimate Sacrifice

Weeks out from the third anniversary of the Wieambilla shootings, the State Coroner hands down his report - finding the actions of the Trains on 12 December, 2022 was not a ‘terrorist act’. 

Some, but not all, of the key issues raised in the inquest are addressed in the Coroner's 10 recommendations - including drones for regional police, mandatory mental health checks for gun licences, intelligence sharing and training for triple 0 call operators.

The McCrow and Arnold families voice their disappointment at the findings and recommendations. They pledge to continue to channel their grief into bringing about systemic changes.

Weeks out from the third anniversary of the Wieambilla shootings, the State Coroner hands down his report - finding the actions of the Trains on 12 December, 2022 was not a &lsquo;terrorist act&rsquo;.&nbsp;
Some, but not all, of the key issues raised in the inquest are addressed in the Coroner's 10 recommendations - including drones for regional police, mandatory mental health checks for gun licences, intelligence sharing and training for triple 0 call operators.
The McCrow and Arnold families voice their disappointment at the findings and recommendations. They pledge to continue to channel their grief into bringing about systemic changes.

Episode 17. The Coroner's Recommendations

A year after the Wieambilla shootings, on the other side of the world, FBI agents swarmed a petrol station in a remote Arizona town, making a dramatic arrest and revealing the man behind the name “Don”. 

Donald Day Jr. is now heading to trial on five federal charges and the evidence against him has been laid bare in new court documents; disturbing videos praising the Trains, online comments boasting about being “an x-con, who’s armed to the teeth”, and the cache of guns found at his home. 

In this episode, U.S Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley breaks down the evidence and how rejected plea deals, and attempts to throw out the charges, have drawn out this case.

A year after the Wieambilla shootings, on the other side of the world, FBI agents swarmed a petrol station in a remote Arizona town, making a dramatic arrest and revealing the man behind the name “Don”. 
Donald Day Jr. is now heading to trial on five federal charges and the evidence against him has been laid bare in new court documents; disturbing videos praising the Trains, online comments boasting about being “an x-con, who’s armed to the teeth”, and the cache of guns found at his home. 
In this episode, U.S Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley breaks down the evidence and how rejected plea deals, and attempts to throw out the charges, have drawn out this case.

Episode 16: The Plea Deal

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