Aileen Wuornos is remembered as America’s first female serial killer—but her story is tangled in trauma, survival, and contradiction. This episode breaks down her claims of abuse, the killings, and the legal decisions that shaped one of the most controversial cases in criminal history.

America’s justice system gets it right most of the time — but when it fails, the consequences are devastating. From the Central Park Five to ICE detention centers, this episode of Behind the Verdict examines how the absence of accountability and empathy can turn the pursuit of justice into the destruction of innocent lives.

Was the Alex Murdaugh case really as simple as it seemed? In this episode, we explore some of the conspiracy theories floating through our comments and the internet—from cartel ties and second shooter claims to boat accident revenge rumors. We’re not saying they’re true - we’re asking why so many people believe them.

A quiet Wisconsin farmer was hiding a nightmarish secret: murdered women, grave-robbed corpses, and human remains turned into household objects. We break down the crimes, the psychological unraveling, and the shocking legacy of Ed Gein, the real-life inspiration behind some of horror’s most iconic killers.

A 1986 parking-lot murder leads to life in prison for Temujin Kensu. Prosecutors say he was a jealous ex who threatened the victim and could have secretly flown 400 miles to kill him. Supporters argue the case relied on a biased photo lineup, a jailhouse informant who later admitted receiving benefits, and the fact that nine neutral witnesses placed Kensu hours away at the time of the shooting. We examine the evidence that convinced a jury—and the evidence that has fueled decades of doubt.

We dive into the jaw-dropping saga of Thabo Bester, a convicted criminal who faked his own death in prison, and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, the celebrity doctor allegedly entwined in his escape plan. Was Magudumana the mastermind helping him slip away, or was she manipulated into complicity?

We unpack the tragic and controversial case of Tony Earls Jr., who was recently convicted of manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. we discuss the sentencing, the impact on Arlene’s family, and the broader questions this case raises about self-defense, fear, and responsibility

In 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy’s car plunged off a bridge, killing 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne. What really happened that night on Chappaquiddick Island — and how did power and privilege shape the outcome?

Schools should be safe havens—but in America, they’ve become the scene of unthinkable violence. In this episode of Behind the Verdict, we examine the rise of school shootings, the devastating impact on students and families, and the hard questions about whether these tragedies can be prevented.

A sanctuary shattered. In this episode of Behind the Verdict, we break down the Annunciation School shooting in Minnesota—who the victims were, what drove the gunman, and whether this tragedy could have been prevented.