Mark Scott Thornton
Feb 12, 2025•50 min
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Episode description
In 1993, a stolen car, a desperate plan, and a shattered life set the stage for one of California’s most disturbing crimes. Mark Scott Thornton had always struggled to find his place in the world—but when his obsession spiraled out of control, the result was abduction, murder, and a reckless attempt to outrun justice. Decades later, the echoes of his crimes still haunt those left behind. But in a shocking twist, one voice from the past is fighting to save the man who destroyed his family.
Sources:
PEOPLE v. THORNTON. Supreme Court of California. No. S046816. June 28, 2007. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ca-supreme-court/1216732.html
Death Penalty Information Center (2024, September 25). VICTIMS: 20 Years After Urging Death Sentence, Man Seeks to Save His Mother’s Killer. Retrieved December 7, 2024 from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/victims-20-years-after-urging-death-sentence-man-seeks-to-save-his-mothers-killer
Thornton Sentenced to Death in Murder of Westlake Nurse : Judge Charles McGrath issues the decision after hearing the victim’s 6-year-old son describe the pain he’s suffered since his mother’s slaying. By Dwayne Bray for LATimes.com. May 16, 1995.
Save the life of your mother's murderer? He would. By Jessica Bliss for TheTennessean.com. May 15, 2015.
Access ad-free episodes, bonus content, and get all of the 11:59 Media Podcast library!Access hours of extra content each week, exclusive merch, and early access to new podcasts.Visit https://1159plus.com or https://www.patreon.com/1159media
Sources:
PEOPLE v. THORNTON. Supreme Court of California. No. S046816. June 28, 2007. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ca-supreme-court/1216732.html
Death Penalty Information Center (2024, September 25). VICTIMS: 20 Years After Urging Death Sentence, Man Seeks to Save His Mother’s Killer. Retrieved December 7, 2024 from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/victims-20-years-after-urging-death-sentence-man-seeks-to-save-his-mothers-killer
Thornton Sentenced to Death in Murder of Westlake Nurse : Judge Charles McGrath issues the decision after hearing the victim’s 6-year-old son describe the pain he’s suffered since his mother’s slaying. By Dwayne Bray for LATimes.com. May 16, 1995.
Save the life of your mother's murderer? He would. By Jessica Bliss for TheTennessean.com. May 15, 2015.
Access ad-free episodes, bonus content, and get all of the 11:59 Media Podcast library!Access hours of extra content each week, exclusive merch, and early access to new podcasts.Visit https://1159plus.com or https://www.patreon.com/1159media
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