Truer Crime

From 1920 to 1940, no Black people lived in Forsyth County, Georgia. None. But by the time Tamla Horsford moved there with her family, a lot had changed. Or so it seemed, until Tamla was found dead in the Fall of 2018. Suddenly, a century’s worth of trauma resurfaced in the once all-white Georgia county. Today’s episode reveals what happens when a woman and a county collide.

Please be aware that today’s episode references lynching and other racial violence. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

Learn more about Tamla and follow any developments on her case at @justicefortam on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/justicefortam/).

Check out and support The Georgia Newspaper Project at www.libs.uga.edu/gnp and www.libs.uga.edu/development/support.

Explore the Atlanta History Center's online collect Forsyth 1912 project, which seeks to collect the histories of descendants of Forsyth County’s expelled Black residents: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/learning-research/projects-initiatives/originals/forsyth-1912/. You can also donate to support their work here: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/support.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/tamla-horsford.

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Sam Mandez was just 14 years old when his elderly neighbor, Frida Winter, was found murdered in her home, the same home Sam had painted with his grandfather just a few summers prior. It would be years before they set their eyes on Sam as their main suspect. And while he was just a kid when the crime took place, Sam was tried as an adult and eventually sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder. Despite maintaining his innocence, he now faced a future behind bars. But what would that future *actually* look like? Today, we’re starting where a lot of other true crime stories end – in prison. 

Please be aware that today’s episode discusses incarceration, solitary confinement, severe mental illness, suicide, and self-harm. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

If you’re in the United States and you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or visit their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. 

To learn more about solitary confinement and the movement to end its practice, I highly recommend checking out Solitary Watch at https://solitarywatch.org/.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/sam-mandez.

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If you consume a lot of true crime, you might have heard Mindy Dodd’s story before. Or at least one like it – the classic story of a housewife who, pushed too far, snaps and murders her husband. The scary music swells and the story ends neatly. The housewife is locked away. But what if that’s not the whole picture? Today’s episode is about the muddy middle that's so often left out.

Please be aware that today’s references sexual assault and domestic violence. Please take care while listening.

Action Items Related to Today’s Episode:

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and looking for anonymous, confidential help, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. 

Access additional resources at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at https://ncadv.org/.

Support domestic violence survivors by purchasing from Gifted by freefrom at https://giftedbyfreefrom.org/.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/mindy-dodd.

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Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton.

Three brand-new episodes are available now!

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Do you ever listen to a true crime podcast and think “that’s not quite right…?” Same. Crime stories are hard to ignore and even harder to forget. But the thing is... they’re stories. And getting a story right is all about how you tell it. Truer Crime talks about real people — murdered, missing, misled — with more nuance, more context, and more questions. Hosted by Celisia Stanton.

You can see more of Rachel Monroe's work and find links to buy your own copy of "Savage Appetites" at http://www.rachel-monroe.com/

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July 11th marks “Relisha Rudd Remembrance Day’' in Washington DC. The purpose of this event is to spread awareness and let the public know that the search for Relisha is not over. Today we republish Episode 5 covering Relisha’s disappearance to bring more attention to her story.

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No one had seen 8-year-old Relisha Rudd for weeks before she was finally reported missing in March of 2014. So where was she? Why did it take so long for anyone to notice? And who was to blame? Today’s episode explores what can happen when the systems built to protect families just — *don’t*. 

Please be aware that today’s story contains references to suicide, gun violence, child abuse, and housing insecurity.

A full list of sources, resources mentioned, and photos related to the case are available in the show notes of today's episode, https://truercrimepodcast.com/relisha-rudd/ 

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod.

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In 2001, Sarah Turney’s sister, Alissa, went missing. Nearly two decades later and no arrests in the case, the police told her they could no longer help her and she needed to get media coverage for the case. So, in 2019, Sarah started The Voices for Justice Podcast as a way to tell Alissa’s story. In August 2020, an arrest was made in the case and Sarah’s efforts were recognized by the Maricopa County Attorney. Since the arrest, Sarah has shifted her focus to advocating for other cases in need of justice.

In today’s bonus interview, Sarah reflects on what she’s learned along the way, and answers critical questions from her own experience as both a victim’s family member and a true crime media creator herself. Why might a family member tell their story on a podcast with exploitative tendencies? How does Sarah create a safe space for victims and their family members to share their stories on Voices for Justice? What could ethical true crime content look like? And what can true crime media consumers do to push the genre into a more ethical direction?

I was so honored to learn from Sarah, and I hope you enjoy this bonus interview while we are on a break from regular season episodes.

You can find Sarah Turney on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter (@saraheturney). Make sure to also check out Sarah's podcasts Voices for Justice and Disappearances.

If you need a transcript of today's episode, please email [email protected]

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find this show! Keep up with us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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When Roiann was diagnosed with early onset dementia, her sister Robin had her back, making sure everything was in order so she could live comfortably in an assisted living facility. When her other sister and mom were also diagnosed with dementia, Robin worked harder and reached deeper to support the family she loved. A problem solver, Robin had a plan to both support her family and retire happily with her husband. But then she met Isaiah, and her life and plans were irreparably changed. In this special announcement episode, Celisia has a small story and a big request.

Want to help Robin, Roiann, and the rest of the Gonzales family? Donate to their GoFundMe (gofundme.com/gonzales-fam)

Want to learn more about the Gonzales family and the fraud which harmed both them and Celisia? Check out Terrible Thanks for Asking's episode, "Behind the Scammer" (https://www.ttfa.org/episode/2021/12/07/behind-the-scammer)

If you like Truer Crime, leave us a review! It's a great way to support our work and helps other people find us! Keep up with us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @truercrimepod

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