What happens when a rising Alaska Native actor vanishes into the tundra, a village goes on lockdown, and a two-week manhunt ends with two hunters shot—and a courtroom defense invoking Inupiaq “little people”?

In this episode, Adrienne Barker and Joseph Lobosco unpack the Teddy Kyle Smith case end-to-end: from his indie-film acclaim to a 2012 cascade of violence around Kiana, Alaska; the Squirrel River cabin confrontation with the Buckle brothers; a coordinated Alaska State Troopers pursuit; a Kotzebue trial where Smith blamed Iñukuns; the 99-year sentence; and an appeal that spotlighted rural jury selection and Indigenous representation in Alaska’s courts.

What you’ll hear:

→ Who is Teddy Kyle Smith: Marine veteran, co-star of “On the Ice,” celebrated for bringing Inupiaq life to the screen—then spiraling into alcohol-fueled volatility and prior assaults before 2012.

→ Kiana, September 7, 2012: Dolly Smith (Teddy’s mother) found dead under “suspicious” circumstances; gunfire toward bystanders; Smith flees into the Alaskan bush as a multi-agency search begins. (Her death later deemed “undetermined,” and Smith wasn’t charged in it.)

→ Squirrel River, September 19, 2012: A cabin encounter turns violent—Paul and Charles Buckle are shot (chest/shoulder); Smith steals their raft and gear; a distress call triggers airlifts and river blockades; troopers take Smith into custody without further bloodshed.

→ Charges & trial (Kotzebue): Attempted murder, assault, robbery—plus earlier village gunfire counts. Smith takes the stand, claiming voices/visions from Iñukuns guided his actions; jurors reject the supernatural defense and convict on all counts. Sentence: 99 years.

→ The appeal: Was the jury a fair cross-section? Smith argues the 5–50 mile jury-radius practice around Kotzebue excluded many rural/Native villagers (including Kiana). The Court of Appeals ultimately upholds the conviction, fueling an ongoing debate over access, cost, and Indigenous representation in Alaska juries.

→ Culture, mental health & law: Where folklore (Iñukuns), possible substance use, and claims of auditory/visual phenomena collide with criminal responsibility—and how rural policing constraints shaped the response.

→ Media & legacy: A wave of renewed interest—from a narrative podcast to a feature documentary—reframes the case as both Alaska true crime and a lens on Inupiaq identity, myth, and modern justice.

Want to do a deeper dive into this case?

🎬 "Blood & Myth" Documentary - now streaming on Hulu:

https://www.hulu.com/movie/blood-myth-11473056-c92e-4293-9cf8-a08b52ae5a37

⚖️ Disclaimer:

Debate the News: True Crime Edition is for informational and discussion purposes only. We are not attorneys, law enforcement officers, or forensic experts. While we research each case, the show is recorded live with little to no editing; any factual errors are unintentional. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Listener discretion is advised. Guest and audience views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts.

Speakers:

→ Adrienne Barker — Host

→ Joseph Lobosco — Host

→ Mekey — Guest Contributor

→ Mariana — Guest Contributor

→ Leslie — Guest Contributor

Credits:

"Debate The News: True Crime"

Created by: Jonathan Bing, Adrienne Barker and Joseph R. Lobosco

Producers: Adrienne Barker, Joseph R. Lobosco, Jonathan Bing

Writers: Adrienne Barker & Joseph R. Lobosco

Editor: Joseph R. Lobosco

Cover Art: Joseph R. Lobosco

Song: Alaina Cross — “Karma” [NCS Release]

Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds

Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/karma

Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/karmaAT/youtube

🎧 A Debate the News: True Crime Production

📍 Recorded Live on Chatter Social | Hosted by Joseph Lobosco & Adrienne Barker