Why are psychopaths drawn to power—and what happens when they get it?

Criminal defense attorney Joseph Tully, author of California: State of Collusion, joins forensic psychologists Dana Anderson and Craig Wetterer to examine how psychopathy in positions of authority reveals itself. These individuals are not guided by justice—their moral compass is broken—and the collateral damage they leave behind is part of the story we uncover.

Together, they unpack Tully’s book, which exposes California’s corrupt criminal justice system and the culture of power, conspiracy, and cover-ups that fuel it.

Nobody knows this story better than Joseph Tully—and in this episode, he connects those systemic abuses to the psychology of power and the dangers of psychopathic personalities.

Power is never more dangerous than when it rests in the hands of those who decide who walks free—and who is condemned.

📖 Grab Joseph Tully’s book California: State of Collusion: Amazon Link
🔗 tully-weiss.com | Instagram: @tullyweiss.law


Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Psychopathy and Power
05:49 The Criminal Justice System and Psychopathy
10:28 The Role of Psychopaths in Law Enforcement
17:12 Challenges in the Legal System
23:24 The Impact of Public Perception on Justice
30:15 The Importance of Ethical Practices
36:20 The Need for Mental Health Support in Law Enforcement
42:15 Addressing Systemic Issues in the Justice System
49:21 The Role of Psychologists in the Legal System
56:48 Conclusion and Call to Action


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

Lyle and Eric Menendez, convicted of the 1996 murders of their parents, are now facing the possibility of parole. In May 2025, a judge resentenced them to life with the possibility of parole, clearing the way for hearings scheduled on August 21 and 22.

Are the Menendez brothers truly rehabilitated—or do they still pose a danger to society? Join host Dr. Dana Anderson as she speaks with veteran defense attorney Sam Bassett about the legal strategy behind their resentencing. Forensic psychologist Dr. Craig Wetter weighs in on clinical tools like the HCR-20 and PCL-R, used to assess whether someone presents an unreasonable risk to public safety if released.

At the crossroads of crime, politics, and psychology, this episode unpacks how parole law and forensic risk tools shape the fate of two of America’s most notorious inmates.




Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Menendez Brothers Case
01:58 Parole Hearing Dynamics and Public Perception
04:04 Understanding Remorse and Risk Assessment Tools
08:01 Psychopathy and Personality Disorders in Context
12:08 Youthful Offender Laws and Their Implications
15:59 The Role of AI in Risk Assessments
19:49 Life After Prison: Challenges and Opportunities
24:06 Public Opinion and Media Influence
27:48 Redemption Stories and Future Paths
31:53 The Importance of Addressing Abuse
35:41 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

Where is the knife that killed four University of Idaho students? Did Brian Kohberger toss it out the window in a panic — or bury it deep in the woods?

Join private investigator Jason Jensen as we launch a targeted search for the missing murder weapon on June 21-22, 2025.

Discover how the knife sheath became the critical DNA link to Kohberger's arrest — and why forensic psychologists are called to evaluate suspects in custody for murder. We also examine killers who couldn’t resist leaving clues behind — from BTK’s Dennis Rader to Ted Bundy’s trail of discarded weapons — and explore why some murderers toy with law enforcement while others vanish without a trace.

Plus, we pull in twists from the Karen Read case and reflect on the tragic mystery surrounding Kurt Cobain.

Hooked on the criminal mind? Visit www.killerpsychologistpodcast.com for episode details.

Need a forensic psychologist for your next killer case? Book Dr. Anderson at www.psychologydr.com




Chapters
00:00 The Idaho Murders: A Gruesome Crime
00:58 The Search for the Missing Knife
07:48 Understanding Kohberger's Mindset
15:29 The Autism Diagnosis and Its Implications
25:22 The Karen Read Case: Analyzing Evidence
41:05 Future Investigations: The Kurt Cobain Case

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

A Texas teen created 764—an online predator ring hidden inside Discord, Minecraft, and Telegram. At 15, Bradley Cadenhead used these platforms to groom minors, share violent content, and instruct others on how to control and destroy victims.

Children were coerced into self-harm, forced to carve “764” into their skin, and pushed toward livestreamed suicide. His server contained child sexual abuse material, animal torture, and blackmail schemes masked as friendship.

Craig Wetterer, forensic psychologist explains the psychological vulnerabilities exploited in these cases. Eric Zelaya, board-certified criminal defense and forensic death investigator, reveals how decentralized gang tactics have gone digital and live inside your child’s DM's.

🔗 Need a forensic psychologist for your next case? Visit psychologydr.com
🎧 Full episodes at killerpsychologistpodcast.com




Chapters
00:00 Introduction to 764 and Its Origins
02:58 Psychological Vulnerabilities in Children
05:14 Organized Crime vs. Cult Dynamics
09:08 Sextortion and Its Impact on Teens
12:20 The Dangers of Swatting and Psychological Manipulation
15:14 Bradley Cadenhead's Sentencing and Legal Consequences
18:10 The Role of Money in Criminal Organizations
21:18 Fan Signing and Psychological Coercion
24:07 Victim Stories and Parental Oversight
27:27 Conversations About Online Safety with Children
28:53 The Role of Sensationalism in Media
29:37 Role-Playing Scenarios for Child Safety
31:20 Understanding Vulnerability in Correctional Settings
32:10 Contraband and Corruption in Prisons
34:27 The Consequences of Staff Misconduct
36:04 Background Checks and Staff Integrity
38:01 Manipulation and Suggestibility in Prisons
40:08 The Rise of Digital Extortion
42:25 Parental Guidance in the Digital Age
44:16 Final Thoughts and Resources for Parents


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

A Florida attorney. A jailhouse drug ring. And a synthetic street drug disguised as legal mail. Welcome to Paper Dope.

Dana Anderson is joined by defense attorney Alex King to unpack the case of Jacksonville lawyer Nathan Williams—arrested in January 2025 for allegedly smuggling drug-laced documents into the Duval County Jail. Authorities say Williams conspired with inmates and their families to sneak in synthetic marijuana, known as K2 or Spice, in exchange for money. His arrest was part of "Operation Stamp Collection," a crackdown that significantly reduced inmate overdoses.

Linked to erratic behavior, overdoses, and sudden death, “paper dope” is volatile by design—each hit a chemical wildcard. What exactly is it? How is it made? And what happens when the defense becomes the defendant?

Alex King breaks down the drug, the charges, and the ethical fallout—plus a look at Dr. John W. Huffman, the scientist whose research compound JWH-018 was hijacked for street use. Think Walter White—but legal mail edition.

📌 Connect with Alex King: https://www.jaxcriminal.com/about-us/alex-king
🧠 Need a Killer Psychologist? http://www.psychologydr.com




Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Case
02:00 Understanding the Smuggling Mechanism
05:57 Security Concerns in Jails
07:01 The Role of Attorneys in Drug Smuggling
11:53 Financial Pressures and Ethical Dilemmas
12:18 White Collar Crime Dynamics
16:12 Chemical Composition of Synthetic Drugs
19:32 Impact of Drug Smuggling on Jail Protocols
21:31 Understanding K2 and Spice
24:02 The Dangers of Misinformation
27:30 Educating the Youth on Drug Risks
30:20 The Dangers of Synthetic Drugs
33:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

Custody is supposed to protect children — not bury them. In this harrowing episode, forensic psychologists Dana Anderson and Craig Wetterer expose the fatal fallout of high-conflict family court battles. Drawing from firsthand experience as a court-appointed evaluator, Dr. Anderson breaks down how custody disputes can spiral into calculated violence. True cases include:

• A mother who fatally stabbed her son after a court-approved Disneyland trip — then calmly called 911.
• A woman who had her child’s father executed just hours after a judge granted him shared custody.
• A 20-year-old father gunned down in Mississippi over a custody fight.
• A double murder during a custody deposition at a Las Vegas law firm.

Because in family court, the most dangerous thing isn’t losing custody — it’s what someone will do to avoid it.


Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Forensic Psychology and Child Custody Evaluations
02:09 Understanding High-Risk Parents in Family Court
06:21 Personality Disorders and Their Impact on Parenting
10:38 The Role of Substance Abuse in Custody Cases
15:58 Case Studies: Homicides Linked to Custody Battles
20:40 Evaluating Competence and Risk in Custody Cases
25:11 The Importance of Thorough Evaluations
30:00 Family Dynamics and Violence in Custody Situations
35:10 The Role of Communication in Evaluations
40:18 Concluding Thoughts on Forensic Evaluations and Family Law


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

Custody cases are meant to protect children — but in juvenile dependency court, the stakes are higher, and the consequences can be irreversible. This isn’t mom vs. dad. It’s the state vs. the parent, with the child caught in the crossfire. Award-winning family law attorney Lauren Johnson-Norris joins forensic psychologist Dana Anderson to reveal what really happens behind closed courtroom doors. From children torn from safe homes without cause, to tragedies like Gabriel Fernandez, whose abuse was reported but ignored, this episode uncovers the silent failures of the child protection system.

We also examine the haunting case of Shane Miller, a father with a violent past who murdered his wife and two daughters — a chilling reminder of what can happen when red flags are missed.
And we ask the harder question: What happens when CPS goes too far? When the effort to protect becomes the reason families are torn apart?

When child protection fails—or overreaches—lives are shattered. Step inside juvenile dependency court with a family law attorney and forensic psychologist who’ve seen it all.

You can connect with Lauren Johnson-Norris at californiacriminaldefender.com. 

Hire a forensic psychologist for your next legal case at www.psychologydr.com.



Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Juvenile Dependency Court
03:04 Understanding Parent Education and Advocacy
06:07 The Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Family Dynamics
09:08 Challenges Faced by Families in Dependency Court
11:46 The Role of Substance Abuse and Mental Health
15:10 Systemic Issues in Child Protective Services
17:55 The Need for Comprehensive Support Services
21:05 The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Family Court
26:01 Navigating Mental Health in Family Law
30:55 The Complexities of Family Court
34:17 The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Family Law
38:41 Understanding Firearm Risks in Domestic Situations
42:28 The Importance of Empathy in Legal Work
47:43 Improving Child Protective Services
50:46 Finding Solutions in Family Law



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

After more than 30 years behind bars, Erik and Lyle Menendez are scheduled for a resentencing hearing on May 9, 2025, following new allegations that the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is too conflicted to oversee the case fairly. Their defense team argues that decades of rehabilitation deserve a second chance at freedom.

Netflix’s new documentary, MONSTERS, and the resurgence of public fascination with claims of long-term sexual abuse by their father have reignited the debate: Were the Menendez brothers cold-blooded killers... or desperate survivors?

Renowned criminal defense attorney Sam Bassett dissects the explosive case of the Menendez brothers — a story of wealth, abuse, and murder that shattered America's perception of family innocence.

Dr. Craig Wetterer joins to play devil’s advocate, presenting the prosecution’s side and revealing how trauma, privilege, and courtroom theatrics collided in one of the most notorious trials of the century.

Tune in as we explore how childhood trauma reshapes the courtroom — and why the battle for justice is far from over.

Connect with Sam on X (formerly Twitter): @SamBassettlaw 

https://www.mbfc.com/our-attorneys/samuel-bassett


Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Menendez Case
03:07 Legal Mechanisms for Resentencing
06:18 The Role of Forensic Psychology in Sentencing
09:29 Risk Assessment Protocols
12:02 Self-Defense and Abuse Dynamics
16:05 Political Implications of the Case
21:01 The Emotional Impact of the Case
25:37 Learned Helplessness and Domestic Violence
30:25 The Evolution of Psychological Mitigation
38:51 The Future of Sexual Abuse Conversations
43:55 Predictions for the Menendez Brothers' Future


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

The road to the death chamber is paved with paperwork, politics—and blood.

Former prosecutor and criminal justice columnist Matthew Mangino, author of The Executioner’s Toll, pulls back the curtain on America’s executions. His book documents every person put to death in 2010, exposing the names, the crimes, the last appeals, and the cold precision process behind the state’s deadliest ritual.

From firing squads to lethal injection to the quiet hum of the execution chamber—what are their final meals? Their last words? And what does someone say when there’s nothing left to bargain?

“It’s not about justice. It’s about finality. And once it’s done—there’s no going back.” — Matthew Mangino

Step inside the machinery of death. The sentence is final. The questions aren't.

🔗 Learn more about Matthew Mangino:
Website: www.mattmangino.com
📘 The Executioner’s Toll — available now on Amazon.



Chapters
00:00 Exploring Capital Punishment: An Introduction
02:59 Matthew Mangino's Insights on the Death Penalty
05:58 Trends in Executions and Death Sentences
08:50 Methods of Execution: Firing Squad vs. Lethal Injection
12:13 The Role of Psychopathy in Capital Cases
14:58 Moral and Ethical Considerations of the Death Penalty
28:46 The Death Penalty: Public Opinion and High-Profile Cases
35:18 Final Words and Last Meals: Insights from Death Row
44:28 The Broader Implications of Capital Punishment

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.

From the Hell’s Angels to the man now charged in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, Las Vegas defense attorney Ross Goodman has built his reputation in the eye of the legal storm. A Marine Corps Major turned powerhouse trial lawyer, Goodman is now one of the most well-known and respected names in criminal defense.

In this episode of Killer Psychologist, Ross shares how he defends violent crime suspects, celebrity clients, and outlaw bikers, all while managing intense media scrutiny and high-stakes trials. His client list includes UFC fighters Nick Diaz and Wanderlei Silva, pro athletes, and high-profile figures whose cases dominate headlines.

We examine the courtroom strategy, psychological pressure, and public perception involved in defending the accused when the spotlight is relentless and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Connect with Ross Goodman:
• Website: Goodman Law Group
• Facebook: Goodman Law Group
• X (formerly Twitter): @rosscgoodman


Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ross Goodman and His Career
02:12 High-Stakes Legal Decisions
06:02 The Tupac Case: Complexities and Challenges
10:27 Defendants and Their Statements
15:11 Psychological Aspects of High-Profile Cases
21:00 The Role of AI in Legal Research
26:52 The Hells Angels Case: A Young Lawyer's Journey
28:01 Legal Representation Across Gangs and Organizations
29:30 The Dangers of Child Custody Cases
31:44 Understanding Sociopathy in Legal Contexts
33:21 The Art of Jury Trials
37:56 Unexpected Verdicts in Court
41:02 The Importance of Client Preparation
44:51 Budget Cuts and Their Impact on Justice
46:06 Navigating Insanity Defenses in Court
49:09 The Complexity of Mental Health in Legal Cases
54:41 Conclusion and Resources for Legal Help


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/killer-psychologist--6020549/support.