Suspect Convictions

Introducing: Legal Wars

The courtroom can be a battlefield over money, people’s rights, and even their lives. For some cases, the consequences can affect us long after the verdict is read. Based on extensive interviews and court transcripts, Wondery’s new podcast LEGAL WARS puts you inside the jury box of some of the most famous court cases in American history. Subscribe to Legal Wars today at wondery.fm/suspect

47: Tulsa Time

Demarco Carpenter was wrongly convicted of murder. Suspect Convictions investigates this travesty. SPONSOR: for 25% off your first order of RX bars visit rxbar.com/suspect and enter the promo code "Suspect" at checkout

45: Closing Arguments

Lawyers make closing arguments in the Stanley Liggins case and Scott Reeder analyzes what the jury knows and doesn't know. SPONSOR: stitchfix.com/suspect for 25% off, when you keep all 5 items in your box!

43: Enough Evidence?

As the prosecution rests, the defense and prosecution make arguments for whether or not there is evidence for a jury to decide Stanley Liggins fate. The judge rules. SPONSOR: stitchfix.com/suspect for 25% off, when you keep all 5 items in your box!

41: Convicts, Lies, and Audiotape

A jailhouse snitch testifies that Stanley Liggins admitted to killing Jennifer Lewis. But this key prosecution witness has a history of being less than truthful. We’ll show you how.

39: Something Stinks

A police officer says Stanley Liggins lied about not seeing Jennifer Lewis before 6 p.m. the day she died. A witness says she smelled gasoline and saw a gas can in Liggins’ car the morning after the murder.

37: The Whole Truth?

Jurors aren’t hearing the the whole truth in the Stanley Liggins trial. Scott Reeder examines testimony given in the ongoing trial and discusses why jurors are being kept in the dark.

35: A Forensic Moment

A criminalist with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation testifies about evidence that may link Stanley Liggins to the murder. SPONSOR: Visit TakeCareOf.com and use promo code "Suspect" at checkout for 25% off your first month of personalized vitamins.

33: A Trial Strategy Develops

Robert Hirshhorn, one of the top defense attorneys in the United States, analyzes the Stanley Liggins case and discusses strategy for selecting a jury and presenting a case.

32: A Looming Trial

Next week, Stanley Liggins goes on trial for the murder of 9-year-old Jennifer Lewis. The case received international attention during the first season of Suspect Convictions. Scott Reeder and Lacy Scarmana review key clips from the first season and share their thoughts on the case.

31: Shooting at a Whorehouse

Obie Anthony spent 16 years in prison for a crime he had nothing to do with after a man was killed outside a Los Angeles brothel.

30: Injustice in Baltimore

Lesley Vass was convicted of an armed robbery he did not commit. After a decade in prison, he proved his innocence. His is a tale of perseverance, courage and disappointment. SPONSORS: https://www.hungryroot.com Use promo code "Suspect" at checkout for $25 off your first two orders! welcome.havenlife.com/suspect Get a free quote today!

28: Everything but Her Socks

When 36-year-old Kim Ancona's body was found, nude, in the men’s restroom of the Phoenix, Arizona bar where she worked, police focused on bar patron, Ray Krone. Even though he had no criminal record, police suspected him because he had a protruding tooth which seemed to match a bitemark on one of the victim’s breasts. Based on this evidence alone, he was sentenced to death. But the DNA in saliva on the bitemark told a much different story. SPONSORS: rxbar.com/suspect use promo code "SUSPECT" at checkout for 25% off your first order!

26: The Sun Does Shine

Author Anthony Ray Hinton served 34 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. Scott Reeder talks with him about his new book, life on death row, and his battle to prove his innocence. SPONSORS: warbyparker.com/suspect

24: The Scurvy Defense

Scurvy once the plague of pirates and seafaring explorers provided a unique defense for Charles Robbins after 29 years on Nevada’s death row. And remarkably, the defense worked. SPONSORS: https://www.hungryroot.com/ Use promo code "Suspect" at checkout for $25 off your first two orders!

22: Cops, Lies and Videotape

Imagine a defense attorney who refuses to sit with his client, a corrupt police department and a mysteriously edited videotape of an interrogation and you can begin to understand what Darrell Jones faced when he went on trial for a murder he may not have committed.

21: A Sketchy Investigation

Tyrone Hicks was once thought to be the “Bronx Rapist.” The woman who was attacked misidentified Tyrone as her assailant. DNA eventually cleared him of the crime – after he had finished serving his prison sentence. Journalist Scott Reeder explores how faulty identifications happen and what impact they have on individual lives.

19: The Wrong Collar

Rachel’s Casey’s duplex erupted into flames in July 2001. and her 7-month-old baby died. An arson investigator used a dog to search the fire scene and the dog “alerted” to the possibility that a flammable liquid was used.  But a subsequent laboratory test found the canine was wrong. Despite this, Rachel was prosecuted and found guilty of arson and murder. She had served 14 years of a life sentence when a law professor investigated the case and found the earlier investigation was faulty and relied on “junk science.” Sponsor: RXBar.com/Suspect

17: Smokescreen

Kristine Bunch served 17 years in prison for a crime that never happened. On June 30, 1995, the Indiana trailer where she lived erupted into flames. Her 3-year-old son, Tony, was found dead in his bedroom. Police immediately accused Bunch of arson, which she denied. A laboratory report was altered and based on this altered report she was convicted. Bunch tells the story of how she overcame the false conviction.

16: Confessions of a Substitute

Mary Beth Haglin was a brilliant young teacher, a recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and a talented instructor. Then the 23-year-old had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. When they were found out, her life began to unravel. First, she lost her job and then she became a pariah in the community. Next, she became a stripper and acted in porn videos. Now, she faces jail time. We look at Mary Beth’s descent, the decisions she made and ask: Should her mistake be treated bad judgment or criminal conduct? Sponsor: Rxbar: rxbar.com/suspect and use the promo code "SUSPECT" at checkout for 25% off your first order

Bonus: Business Wars

Netflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet, or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live.  Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, inventors, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Dirty John and American History Tellers. Don’t forget to subscribe at wondery.fm/businesswars

13: Who is Barton McNeil?

Misook's ex-husband says she tried to get him to plant drugs on Bart the night of the murder. And Scott Reeder and Willis Kern examine Bart's life before prison.

11: Relative Innocence

Two of Barton McNeil’s cousins have been tireless advocates for his innocence. What motivates them to help a man neither knew before he was convicted of murder? Grace Schlafer from Indiana and Chris Ross from California have interviewed witnesses, poured over documents, and questioned detectives. They were instrumental in getting the Illinois Innocence Project involved in McNeil’s fight for exoneration. The Illinois Innocence Project is expected to file motions soon in hopes of winning McNeil a new trial.

09: DNA, the fingerprint of life or death?

New DNA evidence has been uncovered that defense attorneys contend points to Barton McNeil' s innocence and Misook Nowlan Wang's guilt. But prosecutors are saying not so fast.   Sponsor: Simplisafe: Simplisafe.com/Suspect

07: The Other Murder

Misook Nowlin Wang was the alternate suspect presented by the defense in the killing of 3-year-old Christina McNeil. What is known for certain is that she killed her mother in-law Linda Tyda, 11 years later. Scott Reeder and Willis Kern explore this murder and how it may or may not impact Barton McNeil's case. Sponsor: Simplisafe Home Security: Get $200 off a home security kit at Simplisafe.com/Suspect