Former Georgia beauty queen and beloved high school teacher Tara Grinstead vanished in 2005, leaving a community stunned and without answers for over a decade until Ryan Duke, a former student at the school she taught at, was arrested and charged with her murder. Just weeks later, Ryan’s friend Bo Dukes was also arrested in connection to her disappearance. Both men claimed that they helped dispose of her body but blamed each other for the murder. When Ryan Duke stood trial, it would be up to a jury to determine who was telling the truth. This week’s Court TV Podcast dives deeper into this cold case that drew national attention with an audio edition of our original series Accomplice to Murder.

Accomplice to Murder: Missing Beauty Queen Murder

Every week, join Vinnie Politan for the Court TV Podcast.  He'll dive into the real-life deceptions, betrayals and murders that lead to justice in the courtroom. If you love geeking-out on trials and crime, you’ve landed on the perfect spot.

True crime

A community is divided over the murder of a Boston Police Officer. In January 2022 the body of John O’Keefe was found in the snow outside of a friend’s house after a night of drinking. Prosecutors say his girlfriend, Karen Read, backed her SUV into him and left him to die, while she claims that she’s being framed for his murder. This episode of the Court TV Podcast feature key testimony from Brian Albert on May 13th, 2024; the firsthand account of the owner of the home where John O’Keefe’s body was found.

Killer or Cover-Up Murder Trial: Brian Albert Takes the Stand

The bizarre web of death that surrounds Lori and Chad Daybell continues to unfold in an Idaho courtroom as Chad stands trial for three murders: two of Lori’s children along with Chad’s previous wife. This episode of the Court TV Podcast features testimony from 5/7/2024 as another member of Chad and Lori’s inner circle outlines the teachings of the self-proclaimed doomsday prophet.  Hear the firsthand account of Zulema Pastenes, the widow of Lori’s brother Alex Cox, as prosecutors build their case against Chad Daybell.

Doomsday Prophet Murder Trial: Zulema Pastenes Testifies

Vinnie Politan investigates the bizarre world of Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell, commonly referred to as “The Doomsday Couple.” Both faced charges in the deaths of Lori’s two children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, and Chad’s first wife, Tammy Daybell. Last year, Lori was convicted on conspiracy and first-degree murder charges and is serving the first of three consecutive life sentences without parole. Chad is on trial now, where prosecutors say Chad and Lori used their spiritual beliefs to cover a carefully calculated plan fueled by money, sex and power to kill those who stood in the way. Meanwhile, Chad’s attorney says no evidence connects Chad to the children’s murders despite their remains being discovered in his backyard.

Vinnie Politan Investigates: Doomsday Prophet Murder Trial | Court TV Podcast

Prosecutors say Karen Read backed her SUV into John O’Keefe, her police officer boyfriend, and then left him to die in the snow. Read’s attorneys claim that she is being framed and is the target of an elaborate cover-up carried out by O’Keefe’s friends and colleagues. This episode of the Court TV Podcast features both sides laying out their cases for the jury in opening statements in the Killer or Cover Up Murder Trial.

Killer or Cover-Up Murder Trial: Opening Statements

Vinnie Politan investigates the murders of four University of Idaho students - Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin- who were found stabbed to death in their off-campus home on Nov. 13, 2022. Investigators chased every lead they had, including hours of surveillance video from around the area that eventually helped them piece together a timeline that led them to the arrest of Bryan Kohberger, who has consistently maintained his innocence.

Accomplice to Murder: Missing Beauty Queen Murder

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