His life's journey has taken him from the cradle of Western civilization to the West End. Along the way, Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas has become one of the most powerful men in Central Virginia.

His life's journey has taken him from the cradle of Western civilization to the West End. Along the way, Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas has become one of the most powerful men in Central Virginia.

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold – A WTVR Podcast

John Vithoulkas

As one of Virginia’s most notorious crimes is receiving renewed attention, a retired lawman who did his own investigation of the case is speaking out. Chip Harding sat down with Catie Beck on the most recent episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast’ to discuss his thoughts on the Jens Soering case. Soering, a former UVA student, served decades in prison for the 1985 murders of Derek and Nancy Haysom, the parents of his then girlfriend, Elizabeth. The couple was brutally stabbed to death inside their home in Bedford County. Harding, then the sheriff of Albemarle County, made headlines in 2017, when he reviewed the case files at the request of one of Soering’s attorneys and came to the conclusion that the former UVA student was wrongly convicted.

As one of Virginia&rsquo;s most notorious crimes is receiving renewed attention, a retired lawman who did his own investigation of the case is speaking out. Chip Harding sat down with Catie Beck on the most recent episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast&rsquo; to discuss his thoughts on the Jens Soering case. Soering, a former UVA student, served decades in prison for the 1985 murders of Derek and Nancy Haysom, the parents of his then girlfriend, Elizabeth. The couple was brutally stabbed to death inside their home in Bedford County. Harding, then the sheriff of Albemarle County, made headlines in 2017, when he reviewed the case files at the request of one of Soering&rsquo;s attorneys and came to the conclusion that the former UVA student was wrongly convicted.

Chip Harding

Jens Soering sat in prison for decades after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s parents, who were found stabbed to death inside their rural Bedford County home in 1985. The case made headlines around the world, in part, because Soering, then a University of Virginia student who was the son of a German diplomat, initially confessed to the shocking crimes.

But he later recanted, claiming that he had only admitted guilt to try to protect his girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom.

For years, Soering has sought a pardon. While no Virginia governor has ever granted one, he was released on parole in 2019. Now, seven years after being set free, Soering is asking the Court of Appeals of Virginia to officially clear his name.

His attorney, Elliott Harding, sat down with Catie Beck on the most recent episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast.’ They discussed the petition for a writ of actual innocence they recently filed, and why Harding is certain his client is an innocent man.

Jens Soering sat in prison for decades after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend&rsquo;s parents, who were found stabbed to death inside their rural Bedford County home in 1985. The case made headlines around the world, in part, because Soering, then a University of Virginia student who was the son of a German diplomat, initially confessed to the shocking crimes.
But he later recanted, claiming that he had only admitted guilt to try to protect his girlfriend, Elizabeth Haysom.
For years, Soering has sought a pardon. While no Virginia governor has ever granted one, he was released on parole in 2019. Now, seven years after being set free, Soering is asking the Court of Appeals of Virginia to officially clear his name.
His attorney, Elliott Harding, sat down with Catie Beck on the most recent episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast.&rsquo; They discussed the petition for a writ of actual innocence they recently filed, and why Harding is certain his client is an innocent man.

Elliott Harding

When he was a teenager, Jens Soering confessed to committing one of Virginia's most shocking crimes. He later recanted, but says he understands why some people still question why he would ever admit to killing two people if he did not really do it.

In spring 1985, Soering, the son of a German diplomat, was a first-year student at the University of Virginia when he and his then-girlfriend Elizabeth Haysom were accused of killing her parents at the Haysom family home in Bedford County, Virginia.

It became one of the most talked-about cases in the United States, and five years later, it became one of the first trials to ever be broadcast on television.

Soering was ultimately convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. Haysom pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder before the fact and was given a 90-year sentence.

Both Soering and Haysom were granted parole in 2019.

Soering, who now lives in Germany, joined Catie Beck on the most recent episode of "Untold – A WTVR Podcast," and spoke about the latest effort to clear his name: a petition for a writ of actual innocence before the Virginia Court of Appeals.

When he was a teenager, Jens Soering confessed to committing one of Virginia's most shocking crimes. He later recanted, but says he understands why some people still question why he would ever admit to killing two people if he did not really do it.
In spring 1985, Soering, the son of a German diplomat, was a first-year student at the University of Virginia when he and his then-girlfriend Elizabeth Haysom were accused of killing her parents at the Haysom family home in Bedford County, Virginia.
It became one of the most talked-about cases in the United States, and five years later, it became one of the first trials to ever be broadcast on television.
Soering was ultimately convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. Haysom pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder before the fact and was given a 90-year sentence.
Both Soering and Haysom were granted parole in 2019.
Soering, who now lives in Germany, joined Catie Beck on the most recent episode of "Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast," and spoke about the latest effort to clear his name: a petition for a writ of actual innocence before the Virginia Court of Appeals.

John Vithoulkas

Untold – A WTVR Podcast

In 1 playlist(s)

Untold – A WTVR Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips