The Silver Linings Handbook

After being convicted of the 1986 murder of 20-year-old college student Scott Macklem in a college parking lot in Michigan, Temujun Kensu yelled "They got the wrong man. I'll beat them on appeal" as court officers took him away. More than three decades later, Temujin is still waiting. Why? Jason Usry, the host of the new podcast Inconceivable: The Temujin Kensu Story, joins to discuss what his investigation has begun to uncover.

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For more information on the case, check out these episodes from The Prosecutors and The Consult:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6MND6FOnvANIEfRpAPkxYE

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KYCv6iXJbdNTtIOgLatHf

Jason's podcast, Inconceivable: The Temujin Kensu Story, can be found here:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4EyrGHjH8EpDQ3Gyd6JrAO 

Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

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Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We return to our conversation with Lisa Brat Martinez, the advocate for Pablo Velez Jr., whose murder conviction is the most egregious case of wrongful conviction that I have ever seen. This is Part 2 of Pablo and Lisa's story where we dive more into the case, the things about our justice system that makes it difficult to reverse convictions and hope for Pablo.

Listen to Part One with Lisa at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/2025/03/04/125-the-wrongful-conviction-of-pablo-velez-jr-with-lisa-brat-marteniz-part-1-of-2/

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Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

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Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Brat Marteniz, an advocate for Pablo Velez Jr., was sitting in her bathroom with a bottle of pills and did not want to live anymore. That's when she heard her phone ding. Soon, she was reading about Pablo Velez Jr., a man who was undoubtedly wrongfully convicted. They struck up a friendship and she began crusading for Pablo in the most egregious case of wrongful conviction that I have ever seen. This is Part 1 of Pablo and Lisa's story.

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

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Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sabrina Schnoor was a mom, a graduate of a high school in Owatonna, Minnesota and the kind of young woman who still loved to go fishing with her grandpa. On May 30, 2023, Sabrina agreed to meet her ex-boyfriend, Jason Horner, at his request for closure after they had recently broken up. When Sabrina did not return home, her friends tracked her using the Life360 app, and found her dead along railroad tracks underneath a highway overpass.

A key piece of evidence was video of Horner, who had skated numerous times on domestic violence charges against multiple women, walking with Schnoor before her shooting and then him returning to the area again to retrieve a pack of cigarettes. Sabrina's friend, Teri Lyn Prestegard, joins me to discuss Sabrina's case, the problem of domestic violence perpetrators not facing consequences and efforts to change that. Teri Lyn is not just Sabrina's friend, but her own sister was also abused by Horner.  

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

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Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a Sunday morning in April 1973, a 19-year-old drama major at the University of North Carolina, Asheville got dressed and left her dorm to walk the trails to the Biltmore botanical gardens to study in quiet and beauty as she liked to do on most weekends. Hours later, two teenagers stumbled onto the scene of her brutal murder.

Was it an escaped psychiatric patient? Did a student kill her? Was it a local cult leader? What was a powerful family trying to hide and why did it seem like local authorities were helping them? Brian Santana, a professor who teaches a true crime course, and his brother Cameron, a retired police officer, join to discuss their search for answers in this 50-year-old mystery.

To buy the book "A Murder on Campus: The Professor, The Cop, And North Carolina’s Most Notorious Cold Case ":

https://wildbluepress.com/murder-on-campus-true-crime-santana/

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

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Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

Contact me at [email protected]

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Kunken experienced near-total paralysis from the shoulders down while playing football at Cornell University. Ken went on to become one of the most celebrated prosecutors in the Nassau County, New York District Attorney's Office. In this episode, we discuss Ken's journey of resilience and learning to thrive with a disability. Ken notes that even loss -- even of something as devastating as losing control over your body does not close as many doors as it might seem.

Contact me at [email protected]

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

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Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A revolution is occurring in using DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy to solve cases. David Mittelman, the co-founder of Othram Labs, and a pioneer in this work, joins to discuss recent cases his team has been involved in, the latest advances and more.

To listen to David's wife and co-founder, Kristen Mittelman, talk more about these topics you can listen to the two episodes she joined us for earlier this year using the links below.

Making the Forensic Ties that Bind with Kristen Mittelman, Part 1

https://silverliningshandbook.com/2024/08/27/making-the-forensic-ties-that-bind-with-kristen-mittelman-of-othram-part-1-of-2/

Making the Forensic Ties that Bind with Kristen Mittelman, Part 2

https://silverliningshandbook.com/2024/09/03/making-the-forensic-ties-that-bind-live-listeners-qa-with-kristen-mittelman-of-othram/

To learn how you can help Othram through its fundraising efforts to solve cold cases or through donating your DNA for forensic genetic genealogy research:

https://dnasolves.com/

Contact me at [email protected]

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

https://bit.ly/slhwinter25survey

Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After television anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared in the morning on her way into work, law enforcement in Iowa and Minnesota swarmed onto the case. Over time, as few clues emerged, a group of journalists who carried about Jodi's case banded together to search for clues about her disappearance and keep pressure on authorities.

Caroline Lowe, a veteran Minnesota television journalist, joins me to discuss the case, why the publicity efforts are important, what she has learned about these types of rare offenders and to make a plea to the person who is responsible for Jodi's disappearance.

To find out more about Jodi's case:

https://findjodi.com/

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

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Contact me at [email protected]

Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the early morning hours of June 27, 1995, television anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared on her way to work at her Mason City, Iowa station. Police found a bent key, a bag, a hairdryer and at least one red high-heel shoe outside the door of her red Mazda Miata parked in her apartment complex. What happened to Jodi has become a 30-year mystery for her family, law enforcement and the journalism community.

Caroline Lowe is a veteran crime reporter who's taken a strong interest in the disappearance of Jodi . In this first of two episodes on Jodi's case, we're going to discuss Caroline's career as a crime reporter of Jodi's life and her disappearance, how it changed journalism, investigating uncommon abductions, the difficulties of trying to unravel cold cases, and how loved ones and victims often rally quietly to support each other. We're also going to explore how loved ones and others can keep the cases in the public eye and why it matters.

To find out more about Jodi's case:

https://findjodi.com/

Fill out our Listener Survey at:

https://bit.ly/slhwinter25survey

Contact me at [email protected]

Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Halloween 1985, 17-year-old Susan Snow was getting dressed in her costume to go out with her friends when the telephone rang, and it forever transformed her life. Her father, Detective Thomas Williams of the Los Angeles Police Department, had been assassinated by gunmen as he was picking up Susan's little brother from school. She found herself in the spotlight on one of the biggest national crime stories. On her long journey of healing, Susan has found hope for herself and others who have suffered. tragedies.

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Contact me at [email protected]

To read Susan's book, "The Other Side of the Gun":

https://www.amazon.com/Other-Side-Gun-Journey-Resiliency/dp/B0BRYXZKY2

Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at:

https://silverliningshandbook.com/

Check out our Patreon to support the show at:

https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook

Join our Facebook Group at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623

Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at:

https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store

Visit The True Crime Times Substack at:

https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com

The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music.

See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.