For nearly 24 years, Alan Alter, a 71-year-old veteran of the Vietnam War, had been unlawfully committed to a California state hospital. The commitment, was the result of a sequence of trickle-down oversights starting at the top, with the state of California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Board of Parole Hearings, all the way down to the local level with the San Diego County District Attorney’s office and Public Defender’s office. The program that allowed this to happen is called the Mentally Disordered Offender Program. 

After the Trump administration federally executed 13 people in a 6 month span (the most federal executions since the 1800s), the debate of the death penalty has been brought to the forefront. Why are some adamant that the death penalty is an important factor in the criminal justice system, and why are some convinced we need to abolish capital punishment altogether? Join us as we explore the arguments on both sides of the debate and decide what our own opinions on the death penalty are. Are you for or against capital punishment? 

On December 23, 1991, a fire ravaged through a Corsicana, Texas home. The fire killed three little girls as their father screamed outside in agony unable to help them. Unfortunately, their father would be put on trial for their murder, and subsequently executed by the state of Texas. But was he even guilty? This is the story of Cameron Todd Willingham, a case that has garnered nationwide attention for its debunked fire forensic science, flawed trial, and questionable criminal justice professionals. Did the government execute an innocent man? 

In 1999, in Castle Rock, Colorado, Jessica Gonzales is granted a restraining order against her soon to be ex-husband to protect her and her children. But just a few weeks later, her ex-husband would kidnap their three daughters. This night would prove to be Jessica's worst nightmare. After almost a dozen phone calls and in person visits to the police station to beg for help in getting her kids back, Jessica would be dismissed and even scolded by police officers for bothering them. Ignoring the restraining order would eventually lead to the children's murder. This is the story of one mother's fight for basic human rights of protection and how law enforcement should treat restraining orders and victims. The ultimate blow comes from the Supreme Court's decision in Castle Rock v. Gonzales. Join us as we explore the rights of domestic violence victims, qualified immunity for law enforcement, and how this went beyond just the Supreme Court. 

In the 1960s in Western Australia, John Button was convicted or murdering his girlfriend by hitting her with his car. In that same time period, Darryl Beamish was convicted of murdering a wealthy woman in her home. The problem was that both men were innocent, and an active serial killer was actually to blame for both murders. Join us as we explore our first international wrongful conviction case that rocked Australia. We will also dive into the life of Eric Edgar Cook, who would be nicknamed The Nedlands Monster. 

For our last episode of 2020, we'll be digging into our true crime roots and telling two stories of massacres that happened on Christmas Day. Killer Santas is the theme for this week's episode. Join us for one more episode before the year ends and have happy holidays! 

In 1999, a teen was shot and killed during an argument over tire rims. 3 young men were arrested after an eyewitness identified them. 17 year old Earnest Jackson was the first to go to trial and convicted of first degree murder for being at the scene of the crime. However, in Jackson's codefendant's trial, the shooter confesses to killing the victim and admits that Jackson was not even there and innocent of any crime. The defendant was acquitted of the murder on the basis of self defense. But Jackson's conviction remained and he has been wrongfully convicted for over 20 years. We will also be discussing the SCOTUS decision of Miller v. Alabama. 

Learn how you can be a part of the movement to help #SendEarnestHome 

In New York City in 1984, Bernhard Goetz was tired of the crime ridden city after experiencing a mugging that led to no charges. Arming himself illegally for protection while on a subway one day, 4 young black teens approached him asking for some money. Without a warning Goetz shoots all 4 boys. The media frenzy that ensued after drew attention to what constitutes as a "stand your ground" act and what is racial bias. Join us as we explore the injustices surrounding the Subway Vigilante and the similarities it has with the more recent Trayvon Martin case. 

Debra BlackCrow was a young, beautiful, indigenous woman and mother who was expecting a little girl in a couple months. But after telling her children she was going to leave her abusive husband, she ends up brutally murdered in her home. Soon after, Debra's husband, a probation officer, was arrested and convicted of her murder. But after 20 years it looks as if this convicted killer may be set free. Join us as we explore the issues surrounding Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and the work that Debra's daughter is now doing to seek justice for her mother. This episode is also dedicated to the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 

In 1993, in a small town in Nebraska, Brandon Teena and two others were brutally murdered. The reason? It was discovered that Brandon was transgendered. And although Brandon had told police of a rape he experienced a couple days prior, the Sheriff failed to do anything through his prejudice. Join us as we explore the infamous case that inspired the movie "Boys Don't Cry", and the injustices and violence that transgender people face. This episode is also dedicated to the Transgendered Day of Remembrance.