Blood and Truth

Tommy Zeigler has been on death row for 42 years and for more than half that time, he’s been trying to convince the state of Florida to allow for DNA tests that might help exonerate him. But the state continually refuses. About 20 other men are in a similar situation, imprisoned in Florida since the 1970s or ’80s and arguing that it’s inherently unfair to deny them access to 21st century science. Leonora LaPeter Anton, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, and photographer Cherie Diez have followed the case for years. In 2018, they traveled around Florida and into Georgia to interview dozens of people, some involved in the police work or prosecution, others who believe in Zeigler’s innocence.

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Episodes

Chapter 11: Shapes of Hope

It's been three years since the last episode of Blood and Truth, and Tommy Zeigler is still on death row. But with the election of a new state attorney comes fresh hope for the DNA testing Ziegler says could set him free after nearly five decades behind bars. Here's the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 26, 2023•32 min•Ep. 11

Chapter 10: Another Chance

Tommy Zeigler waited on Florida’s death row last year with hope that there would be another chance to test the evidence in his case. Listen to what happened. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2020•31 min•Ep. 10

Coming soon: Chapter 10

Will prosecutors give Tommy Zeigler another chance at DNA testing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 18, 2020•28 sec

Chapter nine: A Q&A

Listen to Pulitzer Prize winner Leonora LaPeter Anton talk about what didn’t make it into this series, what’s happening with the Tommy Zeigler case and thoughts about his guilt or innocence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 2019•57 min•Ep. 9

Chapter eight: Finality versus fairness

Florida’s judicial system is designed to support a jury’s verdict, whether it was right or wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 12, 2019•36 min•Ep. 8

Chapter seven: On the row

Tommy Zeigler has spent more than four decades living in a 6-foot by 9-foot cell and trying not to get angry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 05, 2019•33 min•Ep. 7

Chapter six: Poking holes in the case

Tommy Zeigler's supporters have spent years chasing clues and re-investigating the murders. Listen to what they've uncovered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 29, 2019•34 min•Ep. 6

Chapter five: DNA denied

The advent of modern forensic science gives Tommy Zeigler hope, but prosecutors and judges keep rejecting his requests for DNA testing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 2019•31 min•Ep. 5

Chapter four: A split jury

One juror struggles to make a decision and feels badgered by others who think the evidence is clear in Tommy Zeigler's case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 2019•20 min•Ep. 4

Chapter three: Trial and errors

Prosecutors present the case against Tommy Zeigler, as his defense team scrambles to vet witnesses and get evidence tested. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 08, 2019•30 min•Ep. 3

Chapter two: Murder near the Magic Kingdom

Winter Garden, Fla., a rural town in central Florida, is rattled by the slayings at a furniture store, and the police investigation zeros in on Tommy Zeigler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 01, 2019•22 min•Ep. 2

Chapter one: Could he be innocent?

A man who has spent 42 years on Florida's death row says DNA testing can prove that he's innocent. The state refuses to allow it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 2018•30 min•Ep. 1

Coming soon: Blood and Truth

Dec 18, 2018•2 min

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