Ep 56: Tragedy in Columbia, Illinois

The Coleman Family

 

In May 2009, a tragedy hit the small St. Louis suburb of Columbia, Illinois. A loving mother and her two young sons were found dead in their beds. But who would do such a thing, and why?

REMINDER: I will be on maternity leave for the next 8 weeks. The next episode will be released on August 20, 2018. Thank you for your patience! 

CORRECTION: In the episode, I refer to a woman “who was having an affair with” a married male. I should have instead said that she was “the woman with whom he was having an affair.”

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Ep 55: Husband vs. Wife – What Really Happened to Laura Ackerson?

Laura Ackerson

 

Grant and Amanda Hayes

 

Amanda on surveillance video, dumping acid

 

Grant at his trial

 

Amanda testifying at her trial 

 

In July 2011, 27-year-old Laura Ackerson went to pick up her two children from her ex-boyfriend’s house, only to never be seen or heard from again. The former boyfriend is immediately a suspect, but he quickly points the finger at his new wife. After two trials, will we finally get the answers to what happened to Laura?

Disclaimer: This episode contains some graphic testimony. Listener discretion is advised.

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Ep 54: From Football Star to Rapist (Darren Sharper Case)

Darren Sharper

 

Darren in court for sentencing

 

Erik Nunez and Brandon Licciardi

 

Darren Sharper retired from the NFL a sports hero, after helping lead the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2011. But just three years later, some shocking allegations would surface and prove that everything wasn’t as it seemed.

Thank you to Ramon Antonio Vargas, for helping me with this case. Follow him on Twitter @RVargasAdvocate or email him at rvargas@theadvocate.com.

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Ep 53: The Fall From the Bedroom Window (Roger Desilets Trial)

Desilets Home in Princeton, MA

 

Closeup of window

 

Kathleen Desilets

 

Roger Desilets in court

 

Interior of Window in court

 

On December 6, 2011, police officers in Princeton, Massachusetts responded to a 911 call from a prominent dentist’s home. When they arrived, they found the dentist’s wife lying on the ground, underneath a broken third-floor window.

Was it suicide, murder, or a tragic accident?

Thank you to Melissa Hanson from MassLive.com for her help with this episode. Follow Melissa on Twitter – @Melissa__Hanson.

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Ep 52: The Murder of Reagan Tokes and the Habitual Offender

Reagan Tokes

 

Brian Golsby

 

Brian Golsby seen on surveillance video

 

Memorial for Reagan at Scioto Grove Metro Park

 

In February 2017, 21-year-old Reagan Tokes disappeared after leaving the restaurant where she worked in Columbus, Ohio.

Clues found in her abandoned car would lead investigators to her killer – but his criminal past would have everyone questioning just how well the system works – or doesn’t.

For more information on the Reagan Tokes Act, check out this article – https://www.10tv.com/article/reagan-tokes-act-introduced-ohio-statehouse. 

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Ep 51, Part 2: “Perfect Murder” or Witch Hunt? (The Trials of Jason Young)

Jason and Michelle Young

 

Young Home

 

Jason Young testifying at his first trial

 

Jason on surveillance at the Hampton Inn 

 

In November 2006, a young pregnant mother was found dead in her home near Raleigh, North Carolina. Investigators immediately suspected her husband, who had a seemingly rock-solid alibi – he was hundreds of miles away on a business trip at the time of the murder. Or was he?

In Part 2, we finally hear Jason’s side of the story – but is it enough to keep him out of prison?

Note: WRAL.com has some fantastic videos from the trial and other interviews with people involved in the case. 

Music in this episode:

Ep 51, Part 1: “Perfect Murder” or Witch Hunt? (The Trials of Jason Young)

Jason and Michelle Young

 

Young Home

 

Jason Young testifying at his first trial

 

Jason on surveillance at the Hampton Inn 

 

In November 2006, a young pregnant mother was found dead in her home near Raleigh, North Carolina. Investigators immediately suspected her husband, who had a seemingly rock-solid alibi – he was hundreds of miles away on a business trip at the time of the murder. Or was he?

Note: Part 2 will be released next week (Want to hear it earlier? Go to Patreon.com/CourtJunkie)

Music in this episode:

Ep 50: The Mysterious Murder in Valley Springs

8-year-old Leila Fowler

 

12-year-old Isiah Fowler

 

Fowler home in Valley Springs, CA

 

Investigators at the scene (From The Modesto Bee)

 

In April 2013, the small community in Valley Springs, California, was shaken by a mysterious intruder who allegedly broke into a home and senselessly murdered an 8-year-old girl.

But after an arrest was made, there seemed to be more questions than answers.

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Ep 49: Jennifer Mee – From Hiccup Girl to Accused Murderer

The victim: Shannon Griffin

 

Jennifer Mee as the "Hiccup Girl"

 

Jennifer Mee in court

 

The suspects: Lamont Newton, Jennifer Mee, Laron Raiford

 

Jennifer Charron

 

In 2007, 15-year-old Jennifer Mee gained national attention as the “Hiccup Girl,” a teenager from Florida whose hiccups would not go away. Just a few years later, she would re-emerge after being charged with first-degree murder.

Jennifer’s trial was interesting because there was one thing all sides could agree on – Jennifer herself did not pull the trigger. So would the punishment fit the crime?

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Ep 48: Did Alexandria Duval Murder Her Twin Sister?

Alexandria and Anastasia Duval

 

Crash site

 

The cliff and crash site

 

Alexandria's mugshot

 

Alexandria and her defense attorney at trial

 

On May 29, 2016, a white SUV mysteriously drove off a cliff in Hana, a town at the eastern end of Maui, in Hawaii. Inside the SUV were identical twin sisters – Alexandria and Anastasia Duval – but only one of them would survive, while the other would be charged with second degree murder.

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