Podcast sheds light on new evidence, more in 1994 Coosa murder
This article from February 7, 1997, covered Blan’s trial and his conviction of guilty.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Thirty years after Michael Bernos was murdered in Coosa County, a podcast continues to further investigate the case, resulting in testimony being recanted and new evidence uncovered.
In the July 6, 2018, edition “The Coosa County News” first reported on the Skeptical podcast, as its first season focused on a Coosa County case. Those working on the podcast visited the newspaper office and combed through the archives for further information.
Neeli Faulkner with Murder Creek Media LLC., creator and host of the Skeptical podcast, stated that after the article came out, “several witnesses came forward to recant their testimony of two defendants who were convicted of his [Bernos’] murder, both of which claim they were wrongfully convicted.”
Neeli Faulkner of Murder Creek Media LLC. and host of the Skeptical podcast.
Faulkner shared that those recantations, as well as new evidence uncovered from the podcast, are being used for post-conviction appeals in Coosa County.
An investigative true crime podcast, Skeptical examines the possibility of wrongful conviction in violent criminal cases. The podcast follows Faulkner’s journey as she unravels the stories behind the controversial cases, revealing new evidence and potentially overlooked details “through thorough investigation and compelling storytelling.”
The first season was presented in two parts, both of which focused on the case of the State of Alabama v. Daniel Benjamin Blan, who was convicted of the 1994 murder of his adoptive father, Mike Bernos.
Bernos was a Richville area resident and a teacher and coach at Verbena High School in Chilton County, and he was found murdered at his home in July 1994.
Faulkner focused on this case as she launched Skeptical, with Blan’s case grabbing her attention since he has always maintained his innocence. Faulkner says that Blan asserts that he was wrongfully convicted based solely on circumstantial evidence, with no physical evidence presented at this trial.
With information coming out since the podcast initially launched in July 2018, Faulkner began thoroughly reinvestigating the case, interviewing witnesses, jurors, attorneys, and law enforcement officers, which ultimately led to the discovery of new evidence.
“This evidence is now part of Daniel’s post-conviction appeals, giving new hope to a case many thought closed,” Faulkner said.
The first part of Skeptical features seven episodes that dig deeper into the original 1994 investigation, trial and Blan’s conviction, while the second part builds toward a “gripping finale that listeners won’t see coming.”
The second part of the podcast focused on Bernos’ homicide was hoped to air in November, but the release of new episodes was delayed. On December 19, Faulkner shared a brief update via the podcast about developments in Blan’s case, stating that new episodes are coming and that it will be worth the wait.
Each of the seven full episodes released to date run approximately 30 to 45 minutes each, with bonus episodes offering additional insights and interviews.
While originally released in 2018, Skeptical has been rebranded, and in light of new evidence, Faulkner and the Murder Creek Media team reimagined and updated the first season of the podcast to include this critical information, with the rebranded and rewritten season being made available in September 2024.
Regarding the history of the case, according to initial reports, Bernos’ mother found his body on July 28, 1994. She had reportedly called her son multiple times and went to his house to check on him when she was unable to reach him on the phone.
Early reports indicated that Bernos had been dead for approximately a week and that he had been shot 15 times in the head and torso with a handgun.
In 1996, 26-year-old Daniel Blan and 21-year-old Tony Orlando Quince were both indicted by a grand jury on charges related to Bernos’ murder.
Quince was convicted of capital murder, and approximately six months later co-defendant Blan, who was tried separately, was also convicted of capital murder in February 1997. With Bernos’ family requesting that the state not seek the death penalty, both men were sentenced to life without parole.
Now, three decades after the murder occurred and 27 years after Blan’s conviction, Faulkner and the Murder Creek Media team continue to delve deeper into the case and look forward to bringing it further into light with Skeptical’s updated episodes, as well as new episodes to come.
“As far as the podcast goes, I want readers to know that I didn’t approach this case with any assumptions about the defendant’s guilt or innocence,” Faulkner said. “My focus was on looking at the evidence as a whole and scrutinizing it. After all, strong foundations should be able to withstand a little pressure. We hold our law enforcement and court officials in high regard, and with that respect comes the expectation that they deliver – not just justice or fairness, but both.”
She added, “Uncovering the information we did in this case felt like a miracle, but I believe it happened because we prioritized being transparent and thorough. You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘trust but verify,’ and that’s exactly what we did. Our justice system is built on checks and balances for a reason, and when the scales are tipped too far in one direction, the whole system falters. That’s why I believe it’s so important to ask hard questions, dig deeper and hold those responsible for delivering justice accountable. Their work impacts real lives – whether they’re victims, defendants, or the broader community. For that reason, integrity must remain the pillar of every investigation.”
The Skeptical podcast is available on a variety of podcast platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Pandora, and more. To stay up to date on the reimagined first season and the upcoming second season, interested individuals can subscribe to Skeptical on their preferred podcast platform.
While still providing updates on Blan’s case in the remainder of the first season, the second season of Skeptical is also actively in development and will reportedly be centered around a new case currently under investigation. It is scheduled for release early this year and is anticipated to feature at least 10 main episodes, as well as bonus content.
In a review of Skeptical on Apple Podcasts, Leslie Wells wrote, “Skeptical was the first podcast I ever listened to and got me hooked on the genre. I had heard of the murder, but didn’t know many details. Listening to this podcast kept me interested throughout the series. It brought up a convincing argument against the conviction of Daniel Blan.”
Skeptical is free to listen to and is independently produced, being supported by its audience through donations and partnerships. The podcast has a sensitive content warning as it includes detailed descriptions of violent crime scenes, including murder, and discusses topics that may not be suitable for all audiences.
This 2018 article from “The Coosa County News” covered the podcast’s initial release, which led to witnesses coming forward and recanting their testimonies relating to the 1994 Coosa County murder of Michael Bernos.
