PI’s Declassified!

A fear worse than falsely being convicted of a crime as heinous as rape or murder is the fear of dying in prison as an innocent person. That is what happened to Timothy Cole, a military veteran and 26-year-old university student. He was convicted of rape in 1986 when the victim testified to his identity. Despite the confession of the real rapist in 1995, Cole was not released. Following his death in prison in 1999, a DNA test cleared his name “to a 100 percent moral, legal and factual certainty.” Join Timothy’s brother Cory Session and Innocence Project of Texas attorney, Nick Vilbas, to discuss this tragedy and the progressive steps taken in Texas since Timothy was exonerated.

Many have said in various ways that it is better to set 10 guilty men free than convict one who is innocent. And even though we collectively cringe every time we learn the details of an individual who has served time in prison for a crime he or she did not commit, we still find ourselves thinking an arrest means that individual is most certainly guilty. The cases of those who are exonerated may have one or more contributing factors and those who staff the innocence projects across the nation have a daunting task. Attorney Michael Semanchik is one who is devoted to the cause. If you are interested in learning more about the workings of a project dedicated to innocence, tune in to hear Michael discuss the process.

Ted Louis Bradford was imprisoned for nearly a decade for a rape he did not commit. He spent four additional years awaiting a new trial where he was found not guilty in 2010 based on DNA evidence that proved his innocence. Ted now lives with his wife in Yakima, Washington. He is a talented musician and songwriter and a passionate advocate for the Innocence Project Northwest. Tune in to hear Ted speak frankly about the causes of wrongful convictions and his efforts to educate the community and prevent future injustices.

Can you imagine traveling to war-torn Rwanda, the killing ground of the Hutu extremists? In 100 days over 800,000 Tutsi people were murdered by Hutus in 1994. The world watched. This wide spread genocide destroyed a population of doctors, lawyers, teachers & government leaders. Can you envision yourself helping to rebuild this tiny East African country? The Saddleback Justice Task Force did. A group including private investigator Dan Goldsmith trekked to Rwanda to assess the Rwandan justice system.The Rwandan National Police invited their return and 18 months later six hardy volunteers, including Dan, two police officers, two attorneys and a domestic violence & marriage/family counseling expert, began formal classes to share their expertise with the fledgling new Rwandan Police force. In 2009 & 2010, Dan led 2 more teams back to Rwanda to conduct additional police training. You will want to hear this story of commitment and courage by a PI who decided to make a difference.

With increasing numbers of veterans returning home and scores with physical disabilities, therapeutic horseback riding is getting attention. Wounded service personnel and veterans who have fought to preserve our freedom are being offered a process called Hippotherapy or Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy. Tune in to hear Private Investigator Dave Townsend tell about his new passion and this important horse therapy program.

A criminal charge of sexual abuse has lifelong consequences. There is no question that there are many documented cases of legitimate sexual misconduct between fathers and their children. But there are also those who make false allegations and it is the job of a good investigator to ferret out the difference. Private Investigator Mark Murnan is an expert in investigating sexual abuse claims and will discuss the step by step process he uses to get the facts and get to the truth.

The safety of children becomes the responsibility for all of us. Whether you are a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or a professional charged specifically with protecting children, it still falls on the village of all of us to take steps to protect those children surrounding us. Although it is difficult not to get paranoid with perceived dangers lurking everywhere, Private Investigator Robin Martinelli says there are measures we can implement to safeguard a child’s welfare. Tune to hear Robin’s thoughts and recommendations.

Private Investigators, private security and law enforcement professionals are frequently confronted with angry people in their work. How do you react? Do you strike back or do you choose to maintain a calm demeanor? Or, does it depend on the circumstances or situation? Dr. Dorothy McCoy, author of Should I Choose Anger? Training for Law Enforcement, Security and Leaders is just the person to discuss this topic. Tune in for a lively conversation with Dr. McCoy who will provide her views and recommendations

No one ever wants to receive legal papers. It doesn’t matter whether it is a civil suit, a divorce, a garnishment or a subpoena to testify in a trial or deposition. Legal papers mean trouble! So it takes a special kind of person to execute the process of getting that critical legal document to the person it is intended. It is a specialty that requires bravado, tenacity, determination, and confidence, all rolled into one. Wendy Bignall, a private investigator and registered process server, is one of those people who knows how to overcome obstacles. Tune in to hear Wendy tell how she has become so successful in the process serving arena.

Every private investigator is confronted with it sometime in their career. It is the inner conflict, the case that haunts. It lacks reconciliation. The pieces just don’t fit; a confession that didn’t ring true, a conviction that wasn’t quite right, or a clue overlooked on a missing person case. It comes with the territory. Tune in to hear Maryland Private Investigator Lynn Levy discuss this quandary and address her experience with an inner conflict on her own case.