We heard you missed us. But hey, we're back! After a semi-vacation over the summer, the crime writers are back weekly to talk about all things criminal - in real life and in pop culture. News on the Steven Avery case continues to break. The new lawyer for the "Making a Murderer" subject has filed a petition to have evidence re-tested using the most modern (and most expensive) analysis currently available. She says the results will definitively prove Avery's innocence (or, she concedes, his guilt...
Sep 09, 2016•1 hr 9 min
Another episode, another questionable murder conviction vacated. The panel reacts to the news that a federal magistrate has vacated the conviction of Brendan Dassey, the accused accomplice in the Steven Avery "Making a Murderer" documentary. Although the public went nuts over what many perceived to be a coerced confession, it was something else the detectives did to the intellectually-challenged teen that violated his Sixth Amendment rights. More true crime updates: why did a General burn letter...
Aug 20, 2016•1 hr 19 min
Just for fans of our show, here's a trailer for our spinoff, in which Kevin will talk with Rebecca and a special guest about their obsession with Law & Order, and break down the true crime cases behind ripped-from-the-headlines episodes of Law & Order, SVU, and Criminal Intent Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon . Sign up for our newsletter...
Aug 12, 2016•4 min
Well, it took more than one try, but the Crime Writers are getting it done with a well-rehearsed discussion on Netflix's newest breakout hit, "Stranger Things." It's like Stephen King and Steven Spielberg had a baby that was eight-episodes long. (Almost) no spoilers...except that it's freakin' awesome. We also debut a brand new segment: the TRUE CRIME ROUND-UP! We've got the latest on the Adnan Syed appeal and the Bowe Bergdahl court martial. The panel's sharp eyes turn back to HBO's "The Night ...
Aug 05, 2016•1 hr 13 min
It's been more than ten days. What's the latest on whether the state will appeal Judge Welch's decision to vacate Adnan Syed's conviction? "The Night Of" is sure to be "the show of the summer." This moody, unsettling murder mystery is everything that "True Detective, Season 2" was not. The Crime Writers talk about what makes this show stand out, whether the cops are playing fair with Naz, and WTF is up with John Turturro's feet. You think juries can be swayed by faulty cell tower evidence, but h...
Jul 23, 2016•1 hr 22 min
Ever since Sarah talked to Asia the world wondered whether she was the key to getting Adnan Syed a new trial. In the end, it was a single sentence in a pile of thousands of documents. The result is in. Judge Welch has ruled Adnan's Sixth Amendment rights were violated and he'll get a new trial...if it ever gets that far. The Crime Writers pull apart the decision and discuss where the case may go from here. Does the state have any evidence left? How would 12 Baltimore jurors (who'd never listened...
Jul 09, 2016•1 hr 16 min
Rebecca and Kevin give their quick thoughts on the breaking news of Adnan's Syed's being granted a new trial. We'll be talking about the case in our episode dropping July 9th, so we're asking you to send your questions, comments, and thoughts in an email or a voice memo to crimewriterson@gmail.com. You can learn how to send a voice memo on the blog section of our website, http://www.crimewriterson.com/ Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: h...
Jun 30, 2016•3 min
We've spent a lot of time with the boob tube (ahem) so far this summer. This episode, the Crime Writers take out their ear buds and tune in to some of the season's most talked about television. The Adnan Syed case finally gets the prime-time treatment on Investigation Discovery. For crime fans who can't figure out how to download a podcast, or those who only know the tale from hearing it at the water cooler, this hour-long special provides an overview of Serial's season one case. But for those w...
Jun 24, 2016•1 hr 21 min
Who thought we'd see Serial reborn in a podcast about the internet? Reply All's Sruthi Pinnamaneni brings us a four-part story about an inmate, his blog, the shifty characters associated with his crime, a flimsy evidence and nutty trial, and then - woah! - that final jailhouse interview! It's the podcast that has everyone asking, "Who the eff is King Diamond?" In this episode, we'll hear from Sruthi about what went into creating the world's latest must-listen-to podcast. Then the panel will give...
Jun 11, 2016•1 hr 21 min
Why the heck would mega TV and movie star Jon Cryer agree to be on our little podcast? Because he's a fan, dammit! It also turns out that he's a HUGE fan of true crime, including many of the podcasts we've talked about, like Serial and Undisclosed. But does the artist formerly known as Duckie qualify as a crime writer? YES! (Sort of.) He's got a hilarious memoir, So That Happened, in which he explains his crime scene-rich formative years, including the shooting of his hooker-loving, soup-making ...
May 28, 2016•1 hr
This week, the panel talks about Bowraville, the true crime podcast created by The Australian newspaper. (Scroll down to listen!) Rebecca also connects with Dan Box, the Brit-turned-Aussie who reported the story, and asks, why is your newspaper being called the "unlikely hero" of this never-solved serial murder case? (A hint...it has a little something to do with Rupert Murdoch!) Also, we tackle some listener queries, and play a voice memo simply because one of you asked us to. As for the crime ...
May 21, 2016•1 hr 14 min
When news broke last week that Bowe Bergdahl's legal team had scored a victory in his case, we weren't sure we understood exactly what happened. So, Kevin reached out to our trusty military legal eagle James Weirick for a quick run-down. As a bonus, we get confirmation that Weirick is, in fact, the manliest man to ever man-up. Also, the PBS documentary Peace Officer hooked us in but also left us with some questions. As we tackle those, we also wonder, WTF is our local PD doing with a tank? (BTW,...
May 14, 2016•58 min
Just when we were getting ready to see how Justin Ross Harris's trial in the baby-in-the-hot-car homicide would play out, a twist no one saw coming. This means an unexpected hiatus for the "Breakdown" podcast and questions about media influence on the justice system. We get to know Dr. Elizabeth Yardley, a criminologist at Birmingham City University in England. She's studied how Serial fans used Reddit to interact with Hae's and Adnan's families, as well as look at the digital fingerprints crimi...
May 07, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Kevin and Rebecca are joined by two very special guests to discuss Law & Order: "Original Recipe," AKA, the first series in the juggernaut franchise that's been on the air for nearly three decades. The panel talks about what makes Law & Order so compelling, their favorite characters, the weird writing tropes of the Law & Order universe, and a lightning round that pits Jerry Orbach against Dennis Farina, and Jill Hennessy against Angie Harmon. Episode links at CrimeWritersOn.com: Meet...
Apr 30, 2016•1 hr 15 min
The crime writers respond to a listener's very British rant about the critical nature of endings in a good story, talk about what TV shows totally failed at the end, and settle a long-term marital dispute that's been tearing Kevin and Rebecca apart. Plus, the Crime of the Week delves in to Australia's long national nightmare and reveals that there's a killer living with one of the panel! Watch out, Toby!!! For a list of media picks links, visit our episode page at crimewriterson.com Click here t...
Apr 23, 2016•1 hr 7 min
The Crime Writers talk about another true crime podcast, Someone Knows Something, the Canadian-crafted cold case show that's holding firm on the charts. Rebecca also checks in with the show's creator and host, David Ridgen. Also, we talk about the kerfluffle over Asia McClain's book announcement, find out what celebrity Toby most resembles and ask him, "Why oh why did you leave your sister hanging?" Then, the gang answers a few listener questions before going on to the Crime of the Week which de...
Apr 16, 2016•1 hr 5 min
The Crime Writers welcome very special guest Lt. Col (R) James Weirick on board to talk about the art of storytelling, and whether Serial delivered on the big promises it made in season 2. We also take apart the storycraft behind The People Vs. OJ Simpson, and how the cast, the plot frame, and even the casting of Ross as Robert Kardashian affected that show's arc. Plus, we listen to some pithy listener voice memos and tackle a juvenile crime of the week. A special thanks to classy-voiced British...
Apr 09, 2016•1 hr 25 min
After eleven episodes, Sarah and team tapped out of season two. In "Present for Duty," the Serial squad does some solid enterprise reporting into whether anyone was actually killed or wounded in efforts to recover Bowe. While saving judgement on the season as a whole until next week, the panel breaks down the series finale. Did Ken Wolf's declaration make a difference in the minds of those who want the maximum punishment for Bowe Bergdahl? Do the fates of Jimmy Hatch and Matt Allen make it harde...
Apr 02, 2016•1 hr 15 min
It's yet another a super long episode! (Sorry about that.) But hey, at least there are t-shirts you guys can buy. Here's the link to those. For civilians, is there something about Serial Season 2 that neither we nor Sarah fundamentally get? Rebecca and Kevin have a talk with JAG Lt Col James Weirick (ret), one of the hosts of the Task and Purpose Radio podcast. Weirick shares his take on Bowe, how the legal case against him is playing out, and what military listeners are saying about Serial Seas...
Mar 26, 2016•1 hr 28 min
The Crime Writers dissect almost every aspect of Serial, Season 2, Episode 10, "Thorny Politics." It gets so deep that Rebecca feels the need to include extra out-takes for comic relief. Plus, Kevin explains what a "news fixer" is and makes a better-than-last-week transition into our ads, Rebecca asks whether or not public radio reporters are SO committed to journalistic neutrality that they only talk to Republicans, we hear what a traffic report in New Hampshire would have sounded like a decade...
Mar 19, 2016•1 hr 13 min
The Crime Writers talk about why it's not a good idea to say you think someone committed a murder in public and also cover some new developments around Bowe Bergdahl media projects and his lawyer's request to interview Donald Trump. Plus, there are some silly ads, and after those, a discussion about The People Versus O.J. Simpson and that Downton Abbey finale, which Toby has a whole lot of opinions about. Also, the Crime of the Week gives Kevin a case of the 'Green Apple Splatters.' Click here t...
Mar 12, 2016•1 hr 9 min
The Crime Writers zoom all around a huge episode of Serial in which Sarah unpacks the attempts at diplomacy that led (and didn't lead) to Bowe Bergdahl's release. Also, we talk about that mysterious throat clearing incident, beg our listeners to start watching The Grinder, and frame a whole episode around what you thought we should talk about. Plus, THAT KNIFE FOUND AT OJ SIMPSON'S HOUSE!!! #serial #serialseason2 #OJSimpson Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive c...
Mar 05, 2016•1 hr 3 min
The Crime Writers pick at some loose threads from Serial's recent episodes, and talk with an actual expert on about how Bowe's personality disorder may have led to his walking away but also helped him cope with five years in captivity. Plus, Toby's away! But we have an able-bodied PT Stud sitting in his place, reporter and Outside/In podcast host Sam Evans-Brown. Also, the Crime of the Week puts the Crime Writers on the spot when it comes to internet sleuthing. Click here to get the Crime Writer...
Feb 27, 2016•1 hr 8 min
The Crime Writers dissect the most interesting aspects of this week's 2-part Serial Season 2 release, 'Hindsight.' Highlights include Rebecca's unprecedented disagreement with Sarah Koenig, Toby's astute analysis of "slippery slope," the over-use of the word "hippie," and the beginning of a feline face-off. Plus, the Crime of the Week - and a special surprise we've all been waiting for right in the middle of the episode. #Serial Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclus...
Feb 20, 2016•1 hr 12 min
Rebecca's dream comes true as she gets the chance to chat with Making a Murderer's breakout press-pool guy Aaron Keller. Well, it would have been her dream come true if Kevin hadn't tagged along. Anyway, the Crime Writers also talk about how Adnan Syed's PCR hearing wrapped up, dive into reactions about their Bowe Bergdahl Autism speculations, talk about their initial impressions of 'The People v. OJ Simpson' on FX, and tackle yet another compelling Crime of the Week. Plus, a listener clears up ...
Feb 13, 2016•1 hr 37 min
The Crime Writers take on Sarah Koenig's phoned-in updates on Adnan Syed's PCR hearing and try to solve the mystery of why she's staying in a hotel that provides animal-print bathrobes. Plus, we dissect Serial Season 2 Episode 6: 5 O'Clock Shadow, tell our best NH Primary stories, and dig in to the Crime of the Week. Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Pat...
Feb 06, 2016•1 hr 14 min
The Crime Writers discuss Ken Kratz's book and Making a Murderer fatigue. answer listener questions and give their own podcast and TV recommendations. Also, Rebecca talks to the guys who make Tanis and The Black Tapes Podcast! It's pretty epic. Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon . Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com....
Jan 30, 2016•1 hr 23 min
We talk all about Serial's episode 'Meanwhile, In Tampa.' We also get the lowdown on how Lara would commit murder, hear more on why Rebecca's convinced Obama might show up on Serial, and find out why Toby can relate to a Super Soldier. Plus, Kevin gives an inappropriate response to the Crime of the Week. Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon . Sign u...
Jan 23, 2016•1 hr 3 min
We talk about Sarah Koenig's big announcement about Serial going biweekly and return to our dissection of the Netflix series "Making a Murderer." Colin Miller makes an appearance, and Toby watches Nancy Grace for the first time - it's pretty traumatic. Plus, we answer some listener questions and talk about the Crime of the Week! Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, si...
Jan 16, 2016•1 hr 10 min
The gang talks some more about the Netflix hit documentary series "Making a Murderer," and then chats about Serial's "Captors." Also, Rebecca makes the case for "Poorfluenza," Jon Cryer humiliates Kevin, someone barely tolerates Toby, and Lara learns about the supernatural powers of asparagus. Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon . Sign up for our n...
Jan 09, 2016•1 hr 10 min
