Small Town Murder Murder Colors Don't Run - Jerome, Idaho
Mar 5, 2026
A tense true-crime tale about a man with a violent past and a history of strange stories. The narrative follows a burned car, conflicting accounts, ballistic mysteries, and a shocking conviction overturned years later. It also covers a bizarre crossbow-in-the-closet confrontation after release and how small-town loyalties and legal twists shaped the fallout.
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Crossbow Closet Claim Exposed As False
- James recounts J.D. Charbonneau calling 911 claiming he escaped a hostage situation while a woman had actually found him hiding in her closet with a crossbow.
- The woman had a protection order and called police first, contradicting J.D.'s hostage claim and exposing his pattern of blaming victims.
Volatile Reconciliation After Violent Incidents
- James and Jimmy narrate Marilyn Arbaugh's escalating relationship with J.D., from dating to marriage to violent incidents including a frying-pan assault and being shot in the elbow and leg.
- Despite alleged abuse and a no-contact order, the couple repeatedly reunited, showing volatile domestic cycles before the murder.
Mutual Combat Ruling Undermined Protection
- The local prosecutor repeatedly treated domestic assaults as mutual combat, declining charges after Marilyn admitted hitting J.D. with a frying pan.
- That prosecutorial attitude contributed to missed opportunities to restrain J.D. before later, deadly violence.