Episodes
Our second installment of the trial dubbed “South Carolina’s Trial of The Century,” Alex Murdaugh, a member of the influential Murdaugh family, goes on trial for the murders of his wife and son.
In a trial dubbed “South Carolina’s Trial of The Century,” Alex Murdaugh, a member of the influential Murdaugh family, goes on trial for the murders of his wife and son.
In March 2019, Nipsey Hussle was gunned down in a parking lot in South Los Angeles. His killer went on trial three years later, and the details of what happened that day were told in court.
On New Year’s Day 2008, a tragic 911 call came into the Irving Police Department. What investigators found was harrowing.
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On April 22, 2016, police in Pike County, Ohio, discovered the bodies of eight family members - all had been shot and killed, execution-style. Who would go to such lengths to kill off an entire family?
In 1984, Ward Weaver, Jr. was convicted of first degree murder in California. Decades later, another member of his family would be convicted of murder. And then decades later...
On October 12, 2019, two Fort Worth police officers responded to a non-emergency call in a residential neighborhood. Within minutes, shots were fired and one person was killed.
In July 2020, famous American rapper Megan Thee Stallion was mysteriously shot after attending a party in Hollywood Hills. After the arrest of another high-profile rapper, the two would face off in court.
After a tragic motorcycle crash killed 7 people in June 2019, prosecutors and attorneys would later argue in court over who was really responsible. Was it the defendant, 23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, whose truck had crashed into the motorcycle group, or was it the fault of the lead motorcyclist?
In May 1996, college freshman Kristin Smart disappeared, after attending a party. Decades passed before finally, arrests were made. Could prosecutors prove their case all these years later?
Sedley Alley was convicted in 1985 of a brutal rape and murder that occurred just outside Memphis, Tennessee. For decades, Sedley maintained his innocence, but proving it would be a steep hill to climb.
In May 2022, 43-year-old Kay Baker was found dead in front of a neighbor’s house. Investigators quickly learned that the suspect had a sordid past. Did the system fail to protect his latest victim?
In October 2020, the shocking arrests of multiple members of two militia groups were announced. The charges included allegations of an alleged terrorist plot - whose target was Gretchen Whitmer, the governor of Michigan. But with an FBI informant seemingly at the helm, would the jury convict them?
In August 2006, 58-year-old Ken Juedes was found shot to death in his home. 13 years later, there would finally be an arrest.
In November 2021, the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin held their annual Christmas parade. But then tragedy struck, and multiple people lost their lives. The trial that followed wasn’t a whodunnit, but the defendant made headlines when he decided to represent himself and disrupt the courtroom.
After an explosion rips through a subdivision known as Richmond Hill in Indianapolis, investigators try to find the source. Was it an accident or was it pre-planned?
On Holy Saturday in 1980, Sister Margaret Ann Pahl was found dead. She had been brutally murdered, but her murder would go unsolved for more than a quarter century.
Nikki Entzel called 911 in January 2020, reporting that the house she shared with her husband was on fire. Inside, was her husband’s deceased body.
In the 1990’s, R. Kelly was a hugely popular R&B singer. In 2021, he was convicted of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child and kidnapping. In this episode, we cover his latest charges and trials.
In March 2017, Alisa Summers was kidnapped by her ex-husband, Trevor Summers, in a harrowing days-long ordeal that terrified the community near Tampa, Florida. Years later, she would bravely take him on inside a courtroom.
In January 2019, Danielle Redlick called 911 to report that her husband, Michael Redlick, was dead. An investigation revealed a tumultuous relationship between the two, but what did it really mean?
It all started when Linda Cooney’s ex-husband, Jim Cooney, was found dead inside her home in February 1992. But the story was far from over.
On April 11, 2021, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed after being pulled over by police in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Former officer Kim Potter went on trial the following year, telling the jury she confused her taser with her handgun.
On October 24, 2011, 12-year-old Garrett Phillips was found dead inside his mother’s apartment in Potsdam, New York. A local soccer coach was soon arrested and charged with the murder. But did authorities have the right guy, or is the murderer still out there?
In January 2020, police officers responded to a home in Celebration, Florida. What they found was horrifying.
In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the trial testimony of the four victims the prosecution brought to the stand during the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.
In October 2005, 30-year-old Tara Grinstead disappeared from her home in Ocilla, Georgia. For years, the case went unsolved, until the podcast Up and Vanished brought the case back into the headlines.
In 2011, Nancy Crampton Brophy wrote an online essay entitled, “How To Murder Your Husband.” Seven years later, her husband was murdered.
In July 2014, Dan Markel, an FSU law professor, was gunned down in his driveway in Tallahassee, Florida. The investigation led police to the discovery of a nasty divorce, wealthy former in-laws, and a murder-for-hire so complex that the investigation continues to this day.
In 2019, the world of Dressage horse training was shocked when renowned horse trainer Michael Barisone was caught in the center of a near-fatal shooting.
Today’s episode was requested by a listener who asked that we cover the death of Officer Scott Patrick and the trial of Brian Fitch, Sr.
After a series of deaths at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, a doctor is arrested and charged with murder.
In March 2022, 31-year-old Claudia Drury bravely took the stand to recount her horrific experience after being lured into a sex cult while in college at Sarah Lawrence. In this episode, we dive into her shocking testimony about cult leader Larry Ray, on trial for multiple charges, including sex trafficking.
A fatal confrontation inside a movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida, results in the death of one man and the arrest of another.
Bart and Krista Halderson were reported missing in July 2021. As investigators looked into their disappearance, they discovered that someone close to the couple knew more than what they were saying.
In late 2005 and early 2006, a series of killings took place in Daytona Beach, Florida, that appeared to be the work of a serial killer. Just as the investigation heated up, it went cold. Then, a decade later, the killer struck again.
On September 22, 2020, a physical altercation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ended in the death of 54-year-old Jason Cleereman. The defendant, Theodore Edgecomb, claims he was afraid for his life, and his defense attorney tells the jury that there’s plenty of reasonable doubt to acquit.
In September 2007, 28-year-old Nailah Franklin disappeared from her apartment in Chicago. Even though an arrest was made shortly thereafter, the suspect’s trial wouldn’t begin for another eight years.
In January 2017, Markeith Loyd was on the run, after his ex-girlfriend had been shot and killed. One more fatality would occur before investigators finally caught up with him.
In April 2018, a tragic shooting occurred at a Waffle House near Nashville, Tennessee. Four people lost their lives, and many more were injured.
After 70-year-old Kay Mortensen was killed in a deadly home invasion, the investigation into his murder stalled. Who wanted him dead, and why? And would prosecutors be able to prove their case years later?
50-year-old David Tronnes called police on April 24, 2018 to report that he had found his wife dead in the bathtub. He immediately became a suspect, but would her family ever get answers?
Ben Renick, a notorious snake breeder, was brutally murdered in June 2017. Prosecutors would later tell a jury that it wasn’t the first time someone had tried to kill him.
In November 2017, the body of 60-year-old Carlos Cruz-Echevarria was found lying in the street next to a disabled vehicle. Detectives concluded that he had stopped to help a stranded motorist when he was killed. But was there more to the story?
In January 2011, 30-year-old Amy Henslee disappeared. A lengthy investigation cast a very public spotlight on her marriage, and people she associated with. In the end, would the truth be revealed?
On February 23, 2020, 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was shot and killed while running through the Satilla Shores neighborhood near Brunswick, Georgia. At trial, the three defendants would claim they were making a citizen’s arrest, and that Ahmaud and the shooter were struggling over the gun when it went off.
On the night of April 3, 2019, a married couple had an argument before going to bed. The next day, one of them was deceased and the other was missing.
In September 1996, 68-year-old Jean Anderson’s neighbors noticed that something was terribly wrong. Jean was found deceased in her home, and what happened to her was unfathomable. Would justice be served? Thank you to Professor Verrecchia from York College of Pennsylvania for talking to us about this case.
In January 2020, 27-year-old Sasha Krause disappeared. Weeks later, her body was found and an Airman from the Luke Air Force Base was arrested.
In August 2020, 25-year-old Sydney Sutherland went jogging. She was never heard from again.
In 2017 and 2018, patients at a Texas hospital who had undergone successful surgeries, ended up mysteriously dying afterwards. Was a serial killer nurse responsible for the deaths?
After a string of deadly fires in an Akron, Ohio neighborhood, a self-proclaimed “neighborhood watch man” is arrested. Can Prosecutors prove that he’s guilty?
In August 2020, 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse shot and killed two people, and injured another in downtown Kenosha, Wisconsin. At trial, he would argue it was self-defense. Would the jury agree?
On September 2007, 19-year-old Tiffany Barwick and 22-year-old Michael Ruschak were tragically murdered. Records would show they had tried reaching out for help numerous times, including on the very day of their murders.
In 1982, Kathie McCormack Durst, wife of real estate heir Robert Durst, disappeared. In 2000, Susan Berman, a close friend of Robert Durst, was murdered in her home. In 2001, Morris Black, a neighbor of Robert Durst, was shot and killed by Durst in what Durst called "self-defense." While prosecutors
88-year-old Whitney Gunn was mysteriously murdered in July 1990. After nearly 30 years, investigators would get a new lead, but could they secure a conviction?
5-year-old Joe Clyde Daniels went missing in April 2018, and has never been located. Despite not knowing where he is or what exactly happened, prosecutors took their main suspect to court.
In 2012, Rabihan Seiders disappeared. 8 years later, her husband was tried for her murder. But without a body, could prosecutors prove their case?
In May 2018, Dickson County Sergeant Daniel Baker was killed while on duty. His body camera would later tell the story of what happened.
In February 2004, a horrific murder that took place at Southwood Middle School in Palmetto Bay, Florida, took the life of 14-year-old Jaime Gough.
The Briley Brothers were responsible for a terrifying murder spree that started in 1979 in Richmond, Virginia. In Part 2, we cover their escape from Mecklenburg and repercussions afterwards.
The Briley Brothers were responsible for a terrifying murder spree that started in 1979 in Richmond, Virginia. In this episode, we cover their crimes, the investigation, and their eventual capture.
26-year-old Chase Massner disappeared in March 2014. It would take investigators in Cobb County, Georgia years to figure out what happened.
21-year-old Samantha Josephson went out with friends in Columbia, South Carolina, on March 28, 2019. Towards the end of the night, she ordered an Uber, but ended up getting into the wrong car. The next day, she was found dead.
In October 2019, 33-year-old mother Nicole Montalvo went missing, after dropping her son off at her in-laws’ house. As investigators looked into her disappearance, disturbing details about Nicole’s life with her estranged husband and his family would emerge.
In 2018, Jackson County Deputy Zachary Wester was suspended, after an internal investigation was conducted into his body camera footage. Later, he would be charged with planting drugs on various community members during traffic stops. Was he guilty, or was there an innocent explanation?
13-year-old Dylan Redwine was last seen alive in November 2012, after a court-ordered visit with his father. In 2013, he was found deceased. 8 years later, his father, Mark Redwine, would stand trial for his murder. Did Mark Redwine murder his son, or did something else happen to him?
In 2013, 15-year-old Alexis Martin was charged with murder. But Alexis was also a victim herself. How would the criminal justice system handle it?
In February 2008, tragedy struck Cockeysville, Maryland, when four members of the Browning family were found murdered in their home.
In March 2020, 33-year-old Rebecca Borkowski ended her relationship with her boyfriend, Joshua Aide. The breakup wouldn’t be easy. By July, they had agreed to give each other back their things. By August, a fatal shooting would occur.
In October 2017, Wesley Mathews called the police to report his 3-year-old daughter missing. Two years later, would he FINALLY reveal the truth about what happened in court? NOTE: The “bleep” noise at 9:45 is to protect a minor’s name.
Mollie Tibbetts, a 20-year-old University of Iowa student, went for a run in July 2018, and never returned. A suspect led investigators to her body weeks later, but at trial, he said someone else was to blame.
In March 2003, 53-year-old Ramona Krotine was found dead in the trunk of her car. Investigators made an arrest, and prosecutors were convinced they had the right guy. But after three trials, could they finally convince a jury?
In April 1996, a brutal murder took place after a series of destructive property crimes ravaged the city of Fort Myers, Florida. Who was responsible? A small band of teenagers.
In December 2015, 24-year-old Kajavia Globe was found deceased outside a vacant home near Detroit, Michigan. While on trial for her murder, the suspect takes the stand and declares his innocence, telling the jury they got the wrong guy.
In 1994, Patrick Pursley was convicted of murder. 23 years later, after filing his own appeals and pushing for a change in Illinois law, he was finally granted a new trial.
In August 2017, a young girl was tragically murdered in her home, while at home alone. Her final text messages to her mother could provide a clue to the killer’s identity.
Lanny and Donna Horwitz started dating when they were teenagers. They got married, then divorced, married again, and then divorced again. They reunited one last time - before one night would change their lives forever.
Vicki Prokopovitz disappeared from her home in April 2013, and has never been located. Investigators, however, believe she was murdered, and they believe they know who did it. But at the suspect’s trial, could they prove their theory?
On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police responded to a call of a possible counterfeit bill. By the time the officers left, 46-year-old George Floyd was dead. In this episode, I cover the Defense’s case against former officer Derek Chauvin, as well as the closing arguments and the verdict.
On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police responded to a call of a possible counterfeit bill. By the time the officers left, 46-year-old George Floyd was dead. In this episode, I cover the Prosecution's case against former officer Derek Chauvin.
No one disputes who shot and killed Diane Smith McIver - her husband, Tex McIver. But was it a tragic accident, or was it murder?
After a 32-year-old mother of two disappeared from a small town in Michigan, her husband became the immediate suspect. But with an ironclad alibi, could he really have been the killer? Thank you to Rex Hall Jr. from the Kalamazoo Gazette for talking to us about this case.
In May 2019, an 8-year-old girl was kidnapped from Ft. Worth, Texas. In this episode, we take a look at the intensive searches and investigation that followed.
In March 2011, Brandon Willie Martin was living out his dream, after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays. But just four years later, he would be facing charges of murder.
In this episode, we take a deeper look into the Cyntoia Brown case - how it all started, and where it stands today.
In March 2007, Karl Hoerig was found dead at the bottom of his staircase. Who killed him, and why?
In this episode of Sidebar, Jillian and Brittnee chat about the most recent Court Junkie cases, including: - Tai Chan - Sandra Melgar - Lori McConnell - Kayle Fleischauer Jillian also goes over some updates in past Court Junkie cases: - Alexis Murphy - Joel Guy Jr. Then, Jillian shares
Prosecutors say Erica Stefanko played a crucial role in the murder of 25-year-old Ashley Biggs, but can they prove it in court?
In April 2018, two siblings went to go visit their father for the weekend. Only one of them would leave the house alive. Today’s case examines the case of Chase Fleischauer, and the trial of his father, Kayle Fleischauer.
On July 10, 2018, the lives of Lori McConnell’s children were changed forever. The system that was supposed to save her, didn’t.
It’s a case that has been covered and picked apart for years, yet there are still many questions that linger. In December 2012, Houston police responded to a brutal murder scene - Jim Melgar was found dead in his bedroom, while his wife of 32 years, Sandra Melgar, was tied
In October 2014, two deputies with the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office left for Arizona on a work trip. After a night filled with drinking and arguing, only one would return home alive.
After 42-year-old Michelle Mockbee was found dead at her work in May 2012, investigators zeroed in on the janitor, David Dooley. He was convicted of murder just two years later, and sentenced to life in prison. But in 2016, David would be granted a new trial. Would new evidence come
On Thanksgiving weekend in 2016, the home of Lisa and Joel Guy Sr. became a horror scene, after their bodies were found inside their home. Prosecutors would later be tasked with proving that their son, Joel Guy Jr, was the killer.
What a year! In this End of the Year Recap, I introduce a really good friend of mine, Brittnee, to the show. We chat about what 2020 was like for Court Junkie, what my top 10 episodes of the year were, and answer listener questions.
It was supposed to be a happy day of homecoming for 20-year-old Skylar Nemetz, and his wife, Danielle. But on October 16, 2014, after Skylar returned home from a month-long training, tragedy struck, and Danielle lost her life. Had Skylar intentionally murdered her?
How does a family of four just disappear, seemingly off the face of the Earth? That’s what happened in Fallbrook, California in February 2010, when the McStay family suddenly disappeared from their home. In Part 2, we take a deep dive into the trial of the accused, Chase Merritt.
How does a family of four just disappear, seemingly off the face of the Earth? That’s what happened in Fallbrook, California in February 2010, when the McStay family suddenly disappeared from their home. This episode covers the circumstances of their disappearance and the investigation that followed.
Prosecutors dubbed it a “real life horror movie” after a brutal home invasion attack in Hobart, Wisconsin left two people dead and one injured in January 2016. Years later, 26-year-old Jacob Cayer would face murder charges in court.
In 2019, Keith Raniere, one of the founders of NXIVM, a self-proclaimed self-help organization, went to trial for federal crimes including, extortion, forced labor, sex trafficking, fraud, and the production and the possession of child pornography. There have been numerous articles and documentaries made about this scandal, but in today’s
In October 2018, the body of 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey, a college student at the University of Utah, was found on campus. An investigation into her death would reveal her numerous complaints to university police about her dangerous ex-boyfriend - all of which went unanswered.
In January 2005, 16-year-old Adrianne Reynolds went missing from East Moline, Illinois. Investigators quickly uncovered that Adrianne’s friends knew more than they were saying. What happened to Adrianne Reynolds would shock nearly everyone in their community.
While firefighters were putting out a fire at a Tennessee pawn shop in May 2016, they found the body of the shop’s owner, Jerry Ridge, inside. Who could have murdered Jerry and then set his shop on fire?
In December 2010, 28-year-old Aaron Scheerhoorn was murdered in a bar parking lot in Houston, Texas. Investigators quickly zeroed in on a suspect - 33-year-old Lydell Grant. But nearly 10 years later, even after all parties agree that he’s innocent, why has Lydell still not been exonerated?
In one of the first trials to start up again after COVID-19, 21-year-old Andrew Vrba faces charges for the bizarre murder of his roommate.
In April 1993, two teenagers were shot and killed in an apparent drive-by shooting. Investigators quickly zeroed in on another teenager named Daniel Villegas, who had told his cousin he had done it. But did they really have the right guy?
In today’s episode, we look back at the historic 1955 trial where Roy Bryant and JW Milam were tried for 14-year-old Emmett Till’s murder.
On Super Bowl Sunday in 2017, a quiet gathering was interrupted by gunfire. Prosecutors were convinced they had the two suspects awaiting trial, but were the murders really committed by a third gunman?
In November 2016, 16-year-old Emma Walker was found deceased in her bed. At trial, the defendant claimed he had only wanted to scare her, while prosecutors believe it was a cold-blooded killing.
In August 2014, a tragedy unfolded at a playground in Kentwood, Michigan. A 9-year-old boy was deceased, and a 12-year-old boy was charged with murder. How did this happen, and what would the criminal justice system do with such a young killer?
Dr. Teresa Sievers was murdered inside her home in June 2015. Four years later, after two trials, the details of the orchestrated plot would finally be revealed.
After a contentious breakup, Amanda Colley was granted a restraining order against her estranged husband. But within days, she and her best friend were murdered.
After two college students are found murdered while on vacation in Sarasota, Florida, a 16-year-old boy is arrested and charged with the crime.
In November 1989, 15-year-old Angela Correa was found murdered in a park in Peekskill, New York. Investigators quickly honed in on 16-year-old Jeff Deskovic, one of her high school classmates. Although the scientific evidence at the scene excluded him, he was ultimately convicted of her murder. This is Jeff’s story.
In October 2018, news of the abduction of 13-year-old Jayme Closs spread across the nation. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the investigation, the arrest, and the legal consequences.
In October 2014, the shooting death of Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer went almost completely unnoticed by the media - at least initially. But after a large settlement was made by the City of Chicago to Laquan McDonald’s family, journalists started asking questions. Pretty soon, the details of
I’m taking the week off, but while I’m gone, please enjoy this re-play of Episode 33, with a major development in the case at the end.
Dee Dee Blanchard was found murdered in her home in June 2015, and her daughter, Gypsy, whom she had always touted as having special needs, was missing. Investigators would soon uncover that everything wasn’t as it seemed, and Gypsy, along with her boyfriend Nick, were arrested for murder.
Kimberly Boone and Anita Smithey, both accused of crimes against their husbands, formed a friendship while in jail and waiting for their cases to go through the system. This episode is a bit different than normal, as we take a look at each of their cases and the friendship that
On October 18, 2015, Corey Jones was driving home from a music gig when his car broke down on the side of the road. As he called for help, a white van pulled up, and gunshots rang out. What happened that night would be debated inside a courtroom years later.
In November 2010, a horrific murder took place in Tallahassee, Florida, at the home of a single mom and her three children. Prosecutors contend that one of the children’s fathers is the killer, but at his trial, his defense blames someone else - the Mexican cartel. Was the murder of
In February 2018, the main suspect in the murder of 31-year-old Nicole VanderHeyden was prosecuted in court. While prosecutors told the jury that Nicole had been murdered by someone she didn’t know, the defense claimed they knew who the real killer was - Nicole’s boyfriend.
According to prosecutors in Granville County, North Carolina, in December 2014, a father and son went on a crime spree. That spree ended with the New Years Day brutal murder of an elderly couple inside their home. According to the son, he was terrified of his abusive father and only
In December 2018, 29-year-old Grant Amato’s parents and brother were murdered inside the family home. Did Grant’s obsession with a web cam model lead him to murder his family, or is there another explanation for his family’s deaths?
In August 2012, what started as a seemingly simple neighborhood dispute ended in a deadly shooting spree. The jury would have to decide if the shooter feared for his life, or committed premeditated murder.
On May 25, 2019, a house party in Detroit, Michigan turned into tragedy when three people were shot and killed by a masked intruder. At trial, prosecutors vow that they will prove who did it, and why.
When two young girls are shot while walking home from school, an entire community mourns. Who could have done such a thing, and why?
After a hostage situation goes terribly wrong, who would be legally responsible? In this episode, I cover the Brian Flatoff trial.
Someone was watching as 56-year-old Jennifer Fulford ran errands on the morning of September 27, 2017. Her body was found days later. At trial, the main suspect insisted on taking the stand, and adamantly told the court that even though he killed her, someone else was to blame.
On May 8, 2015, a tragic accident occurred on Berlin Lake in Berlin Township, Ohio, when a larger boat crashed into a fishing boat, killing one of its passengers. After details of what happened that night emerged, one question remained - what would the legal repercussions be for one man’s
In 1979, 18-year-old Michelle Martinko went missing after visiting a local mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her body was found shortly after, in her abandoned car in the parking lot, but it would take nearly 40 years to bring her alleged killer to trial.
It was Black Friday 2012, and 17-year-old Jordan Davis was sitting with friends in a parked car outside a gas station in Jacksonville, Florida. They were playing loud music, while waiting for their friend, who had gone inside the store. Within minutes, gunshots rang out and Jordan was shot and
When 78-year-old Voncile Smith and her two adult sons were murdered in their home, police immediately found their suspect. But did they really find the killer, or is the killer still out there?
It was Saturday, October 8, 2016. Calls of a wrong way driver on the Interstate were bombarding the 911 dispatch in the area of Williston, Vermont. Before the night would end, there would be two car crashes and 5 teenagers who lost their lives.
In Part 3, we take a look at the defense, verdict, and sentencing in the New York trial of Harvey Weinstein, former Hollywood executive producer accused of predatory sexual assault and rape.
In Part 2, we go behind the scenes of the New York trial of Harvey Weinstein, former Hollywood executive producer accused of predatory sexual assault and rape.
In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the New York trial of Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood executive producer accused of predatory sexual assault and rape.
What happened to 33-year-old Taylor Wright? In September 2017, Taylor’s body was found on a friend’s family farm. But without any solid direct evidence linking that friend to the crime, would justice ever be served for Taylor?
In November 2015, a robbery took place inside a Sunoco gas station in Parma, Ohio, that would leave one person dead, and another shot multiple times. The robber was arrested and charged with aggravated murder, but would argue in court that what happened wasn’t murder.
In August 2015, gunshots rang out in a quiet Florida neighborhood. Two deceased bodies were found and one suspect was taken into custody. As investigators interviewed the suspect and looked into what had happened that day, they realized that this wasn’t an ordinary case.
In October 2019, I received an email from Rebecca Moore, who had quite a story to tell about a tragedy that occurred within her family. In this episode, we go into detail about what happened and how she and her family coped with the deaths of loved ones, and the
In November 2018, 43-year-old Todd Mullis called 911, telling the dispatcher that his wife, 39-year-old Amy Mullis, had fallen on a corn rake at their family farm. But when the injuries didn’t match that scenario, investigators quickly realized that Amy had been murdered. But was Todd really the killer?
When 38-year-old Samira Frasch was found deceased in her swimming pool on February 22, 2014, investigators in Tallahassee, Florida, immediately looked to her estranged husband. Was her death an accident, or was it murder?
When 18-year-old Brooke Skylar Richardson went to the doctor for a routine checkup, she learned that she was pregnant and was due to give birth in a matter of weeks.
In March 2017, 39-year-old Leon Jacob, a doctor from Houston, Texas, told an undercover officer that he wanted his ex-girlfriend “taken care of.” Leon’s new girlfriend, a prominent veterinarian, also had a problem she wanted “taken care of”- her ex-husband.
In January 2010, 34-year-old Nikki Whitehead was found murdered in her home in Conyers, Georgia. Her 16-year-old twin daughters told police they had found their mother deceased in her bathtub when they returned home from school. The months-long investigation revealed numerous suspects and uncovered details of a home life that
In July 2014, FSU law professor Dan Markel was shot and killed in the driveway of his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Investigators immediately suspected that the family of Dan’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, was behind the murder, but would they be able to prove it? After two years of investigation, three
In August 2018, police officers in Blount County, Tennessee, responded to a call from 24-year-old Sean Foley. Sean told the dispatchers that he had shot and killed a man, but said he did it because the man had been molesting his girlfriend. Sean was arrested and charged with murder, but
In May 2008, there was a strange scene along the Catawba River in Gaston County, North Carolina - a 20-year-old college student was found dead beside her car. Two local fishermen were arrested, and one of them was convicted of murder. Years later, that conviction was overturned due to, in
In November 2008, 22-year-old Lateisha Green was shot and killed outside of a house party in Syracuse, New York. The suspect was tried for murder in what was New York’s first hate crime prosecution involving the death of a transgender person. Would justice be served for Lateisha?
In April 2008, authorities in Santa Monica, California arrested a man for breaking into a woman’s home and brutally attacking her with a knife. She survived, but they were they shocked to find that she wasn’t his first victim. Not even close.
It was a trial that caught the attention of people all over the country. How and why did Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer, walk into the wrong apartment and shoot and kill an innocent man?
In January 2006, a 33-year-old mother of three was found dead in her home after being involved in a contentious custody battle with the father of her young son. That father seems to have an airtight alibi, but one of his friends doesn’t. Will justice be served in this case
29-year-old Rob McKernan and his wife, 26-year-old Colleen McKernan, spent New Years Eve together in 2014. But by the end of the night, Colleen would call 911, telling the dispatcher that she had just killed her husband.
Timothy Jones Jr. was a father of five children, and in August 2014, he had primary custody of them. By early September, both Tim and the kids would disappear - from their mom, their school, and their neighbors.
In March 2018, police officers in Oskaloosa, Iowa, responded to a call of a fight in progress. When they arrived, 24-year-old Luke Van Hemert explained that he and his friend had gotten into a physical confrontation with three college basketball players, after a minor traffic accident. He made it seem
In June 2015, 46-year-old Jason Carter called 911 to report that he had just found his mother deceased on the floor in her home. She had been shot twice.
On March 23, 2016, a police officer in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, came across a horrifying scene while doing a routine patrol - a woman who was badly beaten and shot, by her own husband.
In March 2018, James Scandirito Jr. was charged with the murder of his father. But did he really do it?
On November 11, 1985, 43-year-old Guillermo Rodrigues was shot and killed in a restaurant parking lot in Brockton, Massachusetts. Police quickly zeroed in on 18-year-old Darrell Jones, who was adamant that he was innocent. In 1986, Darrell was convicted of murder and would spend the next 32 years in prison.
On June 7 2011, Amber Hilberling and her husband Josh got into an argument. Just minutes later, Josh fell out of their high-rise window, 17 stories to his death.
On April 14, 2015, two groups of men got into a physical confrontation at the St. Croix River at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. By the time first responders arrived, one man was dead.
On the night of December 7, 2012, residents in rural Alvin, Texas heard the metal-on-metal sound of a car wreck. Then, about 5 minutes later, they heard a single gunshot.
In August 2014, investigators in Blackstone, Massachusetts, responded to a home on a quiet residential street. Inside the home, they found two children who had been neglected and a house that was in squalor.
On August 17, 2002, Justin Barber told police that he and his wife, April Barber, had been walking hand-in-hand along the beach when a man approached them with a gun. He was shot four times and survived, but April died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
In the early morning hours of July 29, 2016, a 16-year-old boy called 911, telling the dispatcher that he heard gunshots coming from his parents' bedroom.
After the tragic death of 10-year-old Emani Moss in October 2013, Emani's stepmother stands trial for her murder.
In the 2015 murder trial of Joanna Madonna, one thing was for certain - Joanna killed her husband. But was it self-defense as she claimed, or was it calculated murder?
In July 2015, a prominent chiropractor becomes fatally ill, and months after her death, it's determined that she was poisoned. Those closest to her quickly become suspects, but will justice be served in this case?
In December 2012, officers in Arlington Heights, Illinois, started looking into a cold case involving a suspect named Donnie Rudd. One cold case led to another, and the shocking discovery that Donnie may have murdered multiple people as he walked free for 45 years.
In January 2008, a Hepatitis C outbreak was discovered in Las Vegas, Nevada. After investigating the outbreak, officials were able to determine that the infected patients all had one thing in common - they had all undergone procedures at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada.
In January 2011, 48-year-old John Lee was arrested for battery. He posted bail and within days, his alleged victims were found dead.
In June 2012, 54-year-old Marcus Golike was found deceased on the banks of the Ohio River. Investigators immediately focused in on four teenagers as potential suspects. What would they learn in their interrogations?
On Saturday, November 16, 2014, police officers responded to the call of a bar fight at a local bar in Akron, Ohio. As they neared the scene, the call changed - an officer was down and in need of immediate assistance. When they arrived, they found an off-duty police officer
35-year-old Kendra Hatcher was tragically gunned down in the parking garage of her high-rise apartment building in Dallas, Texas, in September 2015. The investigation into her murder would uncover a sinister plot to have her killed.
On December 16, 2000, 31-year-old Mike Williams went duck hunting, only to never be heard from again. Authorities told reporters that they suspected he got into a boating accident, drowned, and was eventually eaten by alligators. But 17 years and two arrests later, would the truth finally come out?
In this New Years episode, I take a look back at some of the episodes I covered this year.
In December 2012, 18-year-old Jerrod Murray was arrested and charged with the murder of 18-year-old Generro Sanchez, a fellow college student. In a chilling interrogation, Jerrod matter-of-factly describes the murder and when asked if he has any remorse, he says no. But would the laws in Oklahoma make it easy
In July 2007, a man in a trench coat walked into the crowded New York New York Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and opened fire.
In December 2013, 20-year-old Heather Elvis mysteriously vanished in the middle of the night and hasn't been seen or heard from since. I covered Heather's disappearance and the first trial of one of the suspects in Episode 45. This episode covers the trial of the second suspect.
On February 18, 2002, 23-year-old Marine Sergeant Todd Sommer collapsed at the home he shared with his wife, Cynthia. An autopsy concluded that Todd had died from a heart attack, but years later, Cynthia was arrested and charged with murder.
On October 28, 2009, there was a fatal encounter between 57-year-old Mark Stover and 42-year-old Michiel Oakes. Prosecutors say Michiel committed premeditated murder, but Michiel says it was something else. Who will the jury believe?
On August 20, 2008, a tragedy occurred at the football practice at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky. A 15-year-old boy lost his life and a 37-year-old coach would soon face charges in his death.
In this Court Junkie Brief, I interview Stanford Law Professor Michele Dauber, who led the recall campaign against Judge Aaron Persky, the judge who presided over the Brock Turner case from Episode 58.
In January 2015, a call of an unconscious female came into the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office in Palo Alto, California. Deputies responded to a fraternity house on the Stanford campus and found an unresponsive woman who had been sexually assaulted, lying on the ground outside, behind a dumpster. The
In 1998, a newborn baby was stolen from the University Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The mystery would go unsolved for 18 years, until a teenager in South Carolina made a shocking discovery.
In Episode 34, I covered the case of Kelly Cochran, who was accused of murdering her former lover, Christopher Regan. At her trial, Kelly maintained her innocence and instead placed the blame for Christopher's death on her husband, Jason Cochran, who had mysteriously passed away before the case went to
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?
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
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
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.
In February 2017, 21-year-old Reagan Tokes disappeared after leaving the restaurant where she worked in Columbus, Ohio.
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 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.
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.
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
In September 2014, 50-year-old real estate agent Beverly Carter went to meet a couple interested in purchasing a house she was showing, only to never be seen again. Her body was found days later and a man no one in her family knew was taken into custody.
On September 16, 2016, police in LaCrosse, Wisconsin were called to the scene of a terrible accident. 47-year-old Todd Kendhammer's car was on the side of the road - the windshield smashed, passenger door open, and his wife Barbara lying on the ground. Todd told the officers and first responders
In December 2013, 20-year-old Heather Elvis mysteriously vanished in the middle of the night and hasn't been seen or heard from since. Law enforcement and prosecutors are convinced that she was murdered by someone she knew. But would they ever be able to solve the case?
On August 8, 2016, a tragedy occurred at a home in Hendersonville, Tennessee - An 11-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after being shot by her own father.
In the early morning hours of October 17, 2015, two women accompanied 27-year-old Sasha Samsudean home after encountering her in the street after a night out on the town. They did everything right - they shared an Uber with her, they walked her to her door, and they waited until
From 2008 - 2011, the murders of two little girls in Weleetka, Oklahoma, remained unsolved, until a 23-year-old woman's disappearance would lead to the arrest of a dangerous suspect.
On December 6, 2014, firefighters in Cortland, Mississippi, came across a horrifying scene after responding to a car fire - 19-year-old Jessica Chambers had been set on fire. They tried to save her, but to no avail. Although Jessica didn't survive her injuries, could she have given a clue to
On August 17, 2014, 38-year-old Robert Limon was gunned down while at work. His wife's lover was immediately arrested, but did he do it alone, or was someone else the mastermind?
In October 2012, 17-year-old Jake Evans called 911 and made a startling confession - he had just murdered members of his own family.
In this Court Junkie Brief, I interview Dr. Jennifer Johnson, a forensic psychologist. We talk about her profession, how defendants are determined competent to stand trial, and if she has ever disagreed with a judge's decision.
In January 2014, a gruesome murder would result in the conviction of 19-year-old Austin Myers, Ohio's youngest death row inmate. Many advocates for Austin believe his sentence was unfair, due to the fact that he never actually touched the murder weapon.
20-year-old Holly Bobo went missing from her home near Parsons, Tennessee, on the morning of April 13, 2011. For years, her family was in the dark as to what happened to her, until finally, progress was made in the case. But would the trial of Zach Adams finally provide the
In June 2006, the town of Reno, Nevada was rocked by a brutal murder, the shooting of a judge, and a week-long manhunt for the suspect.
A 29-year-old woman goes missing in Vallejo, California in 2015, and the details surrounding her disappearance are bizarre, to say the least. There are many things in this case that may surprise you and have you thinking that you know what's going on....until you don't.
It all started with a missing persons report that was filed on October 27, 2014. Christopher Karl Regan hadn't been seen for two weeks and his friends and family were worried about him. The main suspect in his disappearance was Kelly Cochran, a married woman he had been secretly dating.
Earlier this month, Michelle Carter was sentenced for her role in the suicide death of her boyfriend, Carter Roy. I cover the sentencing hearing and drill down what it means with Daniel Medwed, from Northeastern University.
In the early morning hours of August 2, 2015, 39-year-old Jason Corbett was found lying dead on the floor of his master bedroom. His wife, Molly Martens, and her father, Thomas Martens, claimed they killed Jason in self-defense. But was that really the truth or would a different story emerge
Although Hemy Neuman was convicted in the last episode, this case still isn't over - more charges, more courtroom drama...and more lies.
On November 18, 2010, a tragedy occurred at the Dunwoody Prep Daycare in Dunwoody, Georgia. A young father was gunned down after dropping off his 2-year-old son. The person who pulled the trigger was caught shortly thereafter, but was there a conspiracy behind the death?
In January 2014, a horrific discovery was made along the side of the road in St. Clair Township, Michigan. What followed was an intense trial with testimony that seemed to be unbelievable....but was it?
When Dalia Dippolito returned home from the gym in the early morning hours of August 5, 2009, she came home to a scene that would be anyone's worst nightmare - police officers were waiting for her and told her that her husband had just been murdered. But...everything certainly wasn't as
OJ Simpson's parole hearing is coming up on July 20, 2017. Here's a look back at how he landed in prison.
At just 18 years old, Conrad Roy III tragically took his own life in July 2014. When police arrived at the scene, they found his cell phone, which would reveal some shocking text messages he had been exchanging with his alleged girlfriend at the time, 17-year-old Michelle Carter.
On June 17, 2015, 21-year-old Dylann Roof walked into the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and joined the weekly Bible Study. The 12 church members welcomed the newcomer, completely unaware of his evil intentions.
In November 2012, a horrific murder occurred in a charming single family home in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. But everything wasn't as it seemed…
In this Case Update, hear what went on in the sentencing of War Machine, the former MMA fighter who was convicted of beating his former girlfriend, Christy Mack, and her friend, Corey Thomas.
In October 2011, a 32-year-old Ohio teacher went on trial for sexual battery, accused of having inappropriate relations with 5 of her students. Her plea? Not guilty by reason of insanity.
Hazing is unfortunately a common practice that can often turn deadly. In this episode, I cover the unfortunate deaths of three college students - 26-year-old Robert Champion, 19-year-old Michael Deng, and 19-year-old Tim Piazza.
On April 9, 2016, a road rage shooting took place in New Orleans, Louisiana that would claim the life of former NFL star Will Smith. With conflicting stories from both sides, what would happen during the trial of the man accused of killing him?
It's a story that has been told numerous times before - On Halloween night in 2001, Kent Heitholt, a 48-year-old sports editor, was brutally murdered in the Columbia Tribune parking lot as he was leaving work.
In September 2014, the Blooming Grove Barracks in Pike County, Pennsylvania came under attack by a sniper, hiding in the woods.
In March 2017, former NFL star and already-convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez went on trial for the murders of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. Daniel and Safiro were murdered in July 2012, after a possible encounter with Aaron Hernandez at a Boston nightclub.
On July 30, 2011, 30-year-old Lisa Cecilia Harnum died, after falling from her 15th floor balcony. Her fiancé, Simon Gittany, was arrested and charged with murder.
On Thursday, February 5, 2015, 19-year-old Cornell University student Charlie Tan suddenly left campus to return to his hometown, over 100 miles away. Four days later, his mother would place a 911 call that would change their lives forever.
9-year-old Kenia Monge disappeared after a night out with friends on April 1, 2011. As her family launched a desperate campaign to find her, her father met with the man who last saw her - a man who said he had tried giving her a ride home the night she
In August 2014, 22-year-old Christy Mack and her friend Corey Thomas were abruptly awoken in the middle of the night by Christy's ex-boyfriend, an MMA fighter named War Machine.
In this Court Junkie Brief, I interview Dave Wenger, a prosector from Pennsylvania. We talk about the process of a plea deal, what factors go into the decision to offer one, and I ask him to defend some arguments against the idea of guilty pleas.
In November 2010, 20-year-old Cody Legebokoff was pulled over by an RCMP officer while speeding away from a dark abandoned road. Little did the officer realize that his actions that night would be stopping a serial killer in his tracks.
In Part 2 of this episode, you'll hear about the third arrest in the murder of 62-year-old Sheila Von Weise-Mack. And with this arrest, comes some additional shocking evidence against Heather and Tommy, in the form of their own words. You'll also hear how Heather and Tommy are coping at
In this episode, I explore the case of Sheila Von Weise-Mack, a Chicago mother who was murdered while on vacation in Bali with her 19-year-old daughter. After wheeling a suspicious-looking suitcase out into the lobby upon checkout from their resort, Sheila's daughter, Heather Mack, and Heather's boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, flee
In the early morning hours of June 14, 2007, a 32-year-old man is found walking down the side of a frontage road off I-55 in Channahon, Illinois. He's bleeding and seemingly in shock. A passerby calls 911 and investigators arrive at the scene. They find the man's wife and three
In this episode, I cover former NFL player Aaron Hernandez's harsh fall from grace. In 2015, Aaron was convicted of the murder of 27-year-old Odin Lloyd. As he sits in prison, he is now preparing for yet another trial, scheduled to begin next month.
Kelsey Smith was just 18 years old when she was abducted from a Target parking lot in Overland Park, Kansas in June 2007. Finding her would take a battle with a cellular phone company and heartbreaking surveillance video from Target, that shows that no one is ever really safe, even
In this episode, I take you behind-the-scenes of each case I covered in the Court Junkie podcast, as well as go over the latest updates. You'll also hear from Pravin Varughese's mom and family friend, as well as other Court Junkies.
We all have cases that we follow and that stick with us, whether it's on a personal level or because we're oddly fascinated with them. In this episode, I count down the top cases that affected me the most this year.
In August 2012, 66-year-old John Wise went to the Akron General Medical Center to visit his ailing wife of 45 years. He would leave there in handcuffs. It's a case that isn't as it seems and the twists and turns may leave you with more questions than answers. It's a
In this Brief, I speak with Russ Richelsoph, a criminal defense attorney from Tempe, Arizona. Russ talks about how he chooses his expert witnesses, what sort of credentials expert witnesses need to have (the answer might surprise you), and what it's like to cross examine an expert witness.
In Part 2 of this episode, Kristine and her newly-formed defense team fight to win back her freedom. Armed with advances in fire science, a potential Brady violation, and some shocking revelations about the State's evidence at trial, Kristine and her team fight till the very end.
In part 1 of this episode, you'll hear about one woman's nightmare come true. In 1995, 21-year-old Kristine Bunch was abruptly awoken in the early morning hours to discover that her house was on fire. After escaping the flames, she watched in horror as firefighters were unable to save her
Ryan Poston and Shayna Hubers had been dating on and off for about a year when one night in October 2012, a 911 call was placed from Ryan's condo. When officers arrived, they found Ryan dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Shayna claimed it was self-defense even though Ryan had been
On February 24, 1986, John Ruetten came home from work to find his newlywed wife on their living room floor, dead from 3 bullet wounds to the chest. Investigators concluded it was a burglary gone wrong, but the case went unsolved for decades. 23 years later, DNA testing that hadn't
Trying someone for murder without knowing the location of the victim's body happens a lot more than you might think. The phrase "no body, no crime" just isn't true. I spoke with Tad DiBiase, a former federal homicide prosecutor and expert on no body murder cases, about the first no
17-year-old Alexis Murphy was a popular teenager from Shipman, Virginia with her whole life ahead of her. In August 2013, she was looking forward to her senior year of high school when she had an encounter with a man at a local gas station that would change everything.
