The Clock Starts Ticking
Aug 01, 2025•35 min•Ep. 327
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Summary
This episode delves into the wrongful conviction of Edgar Barrientos for the 2008 murder of Jesse Michelson, a case heavily influenced by the reality TV show "The First 48." It reveals how the show's dramatized narrative, manipulated evidence, and staged scenes compromised the investigation and trial. The podcast highlights the critical work of a conviction review unit that uncovered hidden truths and ultimately led to Edgar's exoneration after nearly 16 years in prison, also exploring the broader ethical concerns of reality TV's involvement in law enforcement.Episode description
On October 11, 2008, an 18-year-old was shot by someone firing a gun from the back seat of a car. A couple of hours later, homicide detectives arrived on the scene. And so did the camera crew for a reality television show.
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