Marietta Man Found Not Guilty in Death of 8-Year-Old


Episode Artwork
1.0x
0% played 00:00 00:00
Jan 24 2025 10 mins   1

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for January 24th 

Publish Date:  January 24th 

   

Commercial:  

From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

  

Today is Friday, January 24th and Happy Birthday to Neil Diamond 

***01.24.25 - BIRTHDAY – NEIL DIAMOND*** 

I’m Dan Ratcliffe and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia.  

  1. Marietta Man Found Not Guilty in Death of 8-Year-Old 
  2. Marietta Man Reported Missing 
  3. Keke's Breakfast Cafe Opens in Kennesaw 

 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on raw milk 

 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

 

BREAK: CU of GA (06.26.24 CU OF GA FREE CHECKING_REV_FINAL) 

STORY 1:  Marietta Man Found Not Guilty in Death of 8-Year-Old 

David Zandstra, 84, was acquitted of the 1975 murder of eight-year-old Gretchen Harrington in Pennsylvania. The jury reached a not guilty verdict after a four-day trial, citing a lack of physical evidence and a coerced confession. Zandstra, a retired minister from Marietta, was charged in 2023. Harrington disappeared while walking to Bible camp, where Zandstra was a pastor. Despite his confession, defense argued it was coerced, and no evidence linked him to the crime. Zandstra's family expressed relief at his release after 18 months in custody. 

STORY 2:  Marietta Man Reported Missing 

Demarcus Benton, a 37-year-old from Marietta, is missing after leaving home on Roosevelt Circle following an argument. He has health issues, and his family is worried he might not take his medications. Benton left on foot without any trackable electronics. He's described as 5'6", 125 pounds, last seen in a burgundy poncho, blue jeans, and blue/white sneakers. Anyone with information should contact Marietta Police Detective Perez or submit tips anonymously through Crimestoppers Greater Atlanta or the tip411 MariettaPD app. 

STORY 3:   Keke's Breakfast Cafe Opens in Kennesaw 

 

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, a Florida-based chain, has opened its first Georgia location in Kennesaw, with plans for another in Roswell by March. Known for its diverse breakfast menu, Keke’s offers both indulgent and healthy options, catering to dietary needs. Popular dishes include Greek and cheese steak omelets, Florida pancakes, and stuffed French toast. The cafe also serves lunch items like paninis and salads. Co-owner Jordan Swan, who has been with the franchise for 12 years, is excited to bring Keke’s charm to Georgia. The Kennesaw location operates daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

 

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  

 

We’ll be right back  

Break: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Cobb County) 

STORY 4:  Blooper, Atlanta Braves Visit Milford Elementary 

Blooper, the Atlanta Braves mascot, visited Milford Elementary School to kick off the 2025 HOME Run U program, promoting healthy habits among students. The program, part of the Braves' support for local schools, focuses on "home run habits" like healthy eating, physical activity, rest, and positivity. Blooper's visit included interactive lessons and games, engaging nearly 400 students. The event, dubbed "Braves Day," encouraged students to wear Braves gear. Assistant Principal Chris Moll highlighted the importance of teaching life skills alongside academics. The school's chorus is set to perform at Truist Park in April, adding to the excitement. 

STORY 5:  Town Center Mall Belk Store to Close 

Belk is closing its Town Center mall location in February, as confirmed by three employees. While the reason for closure is unconfirmed, sales have been low for three years. Belk, a North Carolina-based department store, offers clothing, accessories, and home goods. Employees can transfer to other locations, and the store is offering significant discounts, with some items up to 75% off. The store will close once all merchandise is sold or moved to other locations in Marietta and Cartersville, with a blowout sale planned to expedite the process. 

 

 

Break:  

 

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on raw milk 

*** INGLES ASK LEAH 1 RAW MILK*** 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: Ingles Markets 4 

 

Signoff-   

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at mdjonline.com 

 

Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

Produced by the BG Podcast Network 

  

Show Sponsors: 

  1. www.ingles-markets.com   
  2. www.cuofga.org   
  3. www.drakerealty.com 

 

#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.