Susan Polk enters into a relationship with her therapist when she is a young girl. Years later, after 20 years of marriage, she will claim she has been abused by her husband for decades. After he is found dead in their guest house the question would be, was this a case of self-defense or a cold-blooded murder? Resources: Court record: The People, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. Susan Mae Polk, Defendant and Applellant, Contra Costa County Super. Ct. No. 031668-7, December 13, 2010 Articles: A Calif...
Jul 29, 2019•37 min•Ep. 137
A mother seeks help for her special needs child, but a church prayer service ends tragically. Several resources were used in the research for this episode including: Book: True Stories of Law and Order by Kevin Dwyer and Jure Fiorillo Articles: Death by Exorcism by David Krajicek for the New York Daily News , October 8, 2006 Sponsor: Native Deodorants - www.nativedeodorant.com - Use promo code ONCE for 20% off your first purchase. Subscribe to "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime" On iTunes: https://pod...
Jul 28, 2019•27 min•Ep. 136
In the second chapter of the series "Deadly Therapy" a young girl who grows up in an unstable home is placed up for adoption. Her adoptive mother finds her behavior problematic and has her undergo a new and controversial therapy - with tragic results. Resources" Her Name was Candace by Carla Crowder and Peggy Lowe for Denver Rocky Mountain News , Oct. 29, 2000 https://culteducation.com/group/1115-rebirthing/17893-her-name-was-candace.html Seeking Child’s Love, A Child’s Life is Lost by Barry Sie...
Jul 08, 2019•53 min•Ep. 135
In this month's series, "Deadly Therapy", I’ll detail cases of people who sought help from experts, but rather than receiving healing and transformation, their journeys came to an abrupt and deadly end. In this first chapter, you’ll hear how James, Arthur Ray, a self-described success coach and guru required his followers to perform increasingly more extreme mental and physical challenges all in the pursuit of “enlightenment” with deadly results. Resources: Articles: The Death Dealer by Matt Str...
Jul 01, 2019•49 min•Ep. 134
Identical twin sisters, Sunny and Gina Han were lifelong rivals. One sister's jealousy would lead her to plot her twin's murder. Resources: Court Transcripts: People v. Han, Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division 3, California, Feb. 25, 2000 Opposition of Parole letter from Orange County District Attorney's Office to Office of Governor Jerry Brown, November 20, 2017. Articles: 'Evil Twin' Granted Parole Despite DA's Objections by Nathan Solis for Courthousenews.com , June 21, 2018. Links: ww...
Jun 24, 2019•38 min•Ep. 133
In this bonus episode, I interview Jan Broberg and Skye Borgman about their documentary film "Abducted in Plain Sight" LIVE at CrimeCon 2019 in New Orleans. #AbductedinPlainSight #truecrimedocumentary #CrimeCon2019 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jun 22, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 364
On this bonus episode I take you along with me to CrimeCon 2019 in New Orleans and my travels to New York City and Toronto for the Toronto True Crime Film Festival. #CrimeCon #NewOrleans #TorontoTrueCrimeFilmFestival #truecrimedocumentaries #NewYorkCity www.facebook.com/onceuponacrimepod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 22, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 364
I continue the story of the Gibbons Sisters - twins who were locked in a battle their entire lives. Neither believed they could survive without the other, but controlled each other so completely they only spoke to or associated with one another. When they reached adolescence, they knew they had to find some way to break out of this destructive twin bond or both would perish. Their desperation lead them to commit increasingly antisocial and criminal acts. This is part two of "The Silent Twins". R...
Jun 10, 2019•40 min•Ep. 132
June and Jennifer Gibbons were identical twins who, from a very young age, were so bonded to one another that they created their own “twin language” to communicate speaking only to one another. They rejected any other relationships including their own parents and siblings. Later, they would construct a fantasy world that only they inhabited. This lead to more serious anti-social behavior that resulted in a shocking crime spree. Resources: Marjorie Wallace, The Silent Twins , (London, Vintage Boo...
Jun 03, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 131
"Lost and Found" was the very first series of Once Upon a Crime in June, 2016. In that series I covered the story of three young women who were held captive and abused by Ariel Castro for over a decade. In this bonus episode we give you an update about these survivors - Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina De Jesus. Links: Our website: www.truecrimepodcast.com CrimeCon: www.CrimeCon.com - Use offer code ONCE19 for 10% off your registration. Toronto True Crime Film Festival: www.torontotruecrim...
May 24, 2019•17 min•Ep. 363
A mother takes justice into her own hands in Jamestown, California in 1993 when she discovers her son has been abused by a child molester. Some called her a hero, others denounced her actions as vigilantism. This is Chapter 2 of "Disorder in the Court". Resources: The Nesler Family's Tragic Past - www.oprah.com Pushed Over Edge, Mother Chose Own Brand of Justice by Mark Arak, Times Staff Writer, April 11, 1993. William Nesler Still a Fugitive by Lloyd Vries for CBS News , July 29, 2004. Ellie Ne...
May 13, 2019•34 min•Ep. 130
In 2005, a man on trial for rape escapes custody in Atlanta's Fulton County Courthouse and goes on a violent rampage. This is Chapter 1 of "Disorder in the Court". Resources: 3 Slain in Atlanta Courthouse Rampage , The Washington Post , March 12, 2005, Staff writers Manuel Roig-Franzia and Melanie Lasoff Levs A Manhunt and a Woman's Story, Washington Post, March 15, 2005, writer Manuel Roig-Franzia A Youth Drifted from Deep Family Ties to Deep Trouble, The Baltimore Sun , March 18, 2005, writers...
May 06, 2019•46 min•Ep. 129
A summer ball game descends into chaos when a promotional event goes seriously awry. This is the last chapter in the series "Bad Sports" recounting the Cleveland Indians' "Ten Cent Beer Night" riot. Thanks to guest voice actors Lorne and Michael from The True Crime Guys podcast. www.truecrimeguys.com Resources: Articles: The Night Beer and Violence Bubbled Over in Cleveland by Paul Jackson on ESPN.com Forty Years Ago, 10-cent Beer Makes Memories by Anthony Castrovince on MLB.com Video: Ten Cent ...
Apr 29, 2019•34 min•Ep. 128
A friendly soccer game on a dusty field in Brazil turns into a horrific act of violence. Resources: Article: A Yellow Card, Then Unfathomable Violence in Brazil by Jere Longman and Taylor Barnes for T he New York Times , October 31, 2013 "Football Hooliganism" - a Wikipedia listing of instances of violence at soccer matches. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 15, 2019•33 min•Ep. 127
Muscles, marriage, and murder. A deadly Valentine’s Day like no other. Ray and Sally McNeil were both professional bodybuilders—a power couple in the world of competitive fitness. But behind their sculpted physiques lay a marriage fueled by infidelity, domestic abuse, and the dangerous effects of anabolic steroid use. On February 14, 1995, their volatile relationship reached its shocking and violent climax, leaving one of them dead and the other fighting for their freedom. Was Sally McNeil a bat...
Apr 08, 2019•27 min•Ep. 126
This month I'll be sharing stories of outrageous crimes that occurred at sporting events or by sports figures. First up, a neighborhood ice rink, a pee-wee hockey pick-up game and some unsportsmanlike conduct leads to a confrontation between parents that ends with tragic results. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Apr 01, 2019•31 min•Ep. 125
A man starts having vivid memories of a violent crime he believes he may have committed during an alcoholic blackout. Resources: Kevin Dwyer and Jure Fiiorillo, True Stories of Law & Order (New York: Berkley Boulevard Books), 74-82. Cox v. Miller , 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Decision, retrieved from www.Justia.com , July 17, 2002. David Goldnamn Biography, "AA vs DA: The Case of Paul Cox," March 2003, 21. Links: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime to become a patron and receive podcast merch, b...
Mar 25, 2019•35 min•Ep. 124
I conclude the story about Eileen Franklin who claimed to have witnessed her friend, 8-year-old Susan Nason's murder in 1969. She would say her memory of the event was only recovered after 20 years. Her story would begin a debate about the validity of "recovered memories" used in criminal trials. Click here to subscribe to "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime"! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 18, 2019•45 min•Ep. 123
In this series I'll share crime stories that feature a very strange and rare phenomenon - recovered memories of murder. Is it possible to forget about a murder? Could a traumatic event, like witnessing a violent crime, cause a person to repress the memory so completely that they, in essence, “forget” they ever saw such a horrific event? In this first chapter, Eileen Franklin recalls a 20-year-old murder. She will claim that she witnessed the murder of her best friend, 8-year-old Susan Nason in 1...
Mar 11, 2019•49 min•Ep. 122
A career criminal commits multiple murders plus an attempted murder and continues to be released on parole. This is the case of Michael Keith Moon. Resources: Michael Hemmingston, San Diego Reader , "Moon Arraigned in Escondido Cold Case," Jan 16, 2008. Randy Kalp, The Coast News Group , Rancho Santa Fe, " Convicted felon takes wrap for 31-year-old slaying ," Dec 11, 2008. Pauline Repard, The San Diego Union-Tribune , "Double murderer paroled to downtown San Diego," March 15, 2015. Links: Patreo...
Feb 26, 2019•29 min•Ep. 121
In the conclusion of the story of Louise Peete, the convicted murderess is released from prison and, before long, goes on to commit another violent crime. Several resources were used in the research for this episode including: Dead Woman Walking:Louise Peete by Joan Renner - www.derangedlacrimes.com Black Widow, Mara Bovsun, Daily News New York , November 18, 2001 She Buried Them All by Bill Walker in Saga: The Magazine for Men, January 1962. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...
Feb 19, 2019•37 min•Ep. 120
I'm pleased to announce my new podcast "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime"! Each episode will feature me and a special guest host talking about what's new, hot, and trending in true crime - in a fun and casual format. First episode drops on February 19th! Subscribe here on Apple Podcasts or search for "Let's Taco 'Bout True Crime" on your favorite podcast platform. It's rolling out to more podcast platforms as we speak! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...
Feb 13, 2019•3 min•Ep. 364
In this episode. I share a story about a particularly lethal woman who's long criminal career saw her acquitted of a murder, sentenced to life for another and still released to continue her murderous ways. This is Part One of the case of Louise Peete. Resources: Dead Woman Walking:Louise Peete by Joan Renner - www.derangedlacrimes.com Black Widow, Mara Bovsun, Daily News New York , November 18, 2001 She Buried Them All by Bill Walker in Saga: The Magazine for Men, January 1962. See Privacy Polic...
Feb 12, 2019•27 min•Ep. 119
A man murders three innocent teens in 1966, is sentenced to death and later is released from prison to kill again. This is the case of Kenneth Allen McDuff aka "The Broomstick Killer". Resources: Articles: "Free to Kill" by Gary Carthwright, Texas Monthly, August 1992. "McDuff Likely to Take Grisly Secrets to Grave" by Mike Cochran for the Associated Press, published in the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal, 1996. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...
Feb 05, 2019•37 min•Ep. 118
A rare form of serial killer are Black Widows - women who kill their spouses and other family members - usually for financial gain. Even more rare are Black Widow Sisters. This week I'll share two stories of sisters who set up murder syndicates for profit. www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Resources: Angela Brabin, The Black Widows of Liverpool: A Chilling Account of Cold-Blooded Murder in Victorian Liverpool . Lancaster:Palatine Books, 2003. Marcos Aleman, Chicago Tribune, " He pays to get married...
Jan 29, 2019•30 min•Ep. 117
A woman is discovered to have murdered two of her husbands and hid their bodies in her yard. Resources: Book: Buried Memories: The Bloody Crimes and Execution of the Texas Black Widow by Irene Pence Article: CNN.com - "Texas Executes Betty Lou Beets for Husband's Murder", February 24, 2000 Podcasts: Southern Fried True Crime: www.southernfriedtruecrime.com The Nighttime Podcast: www.nighttimepodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 116
As a special holiday episode Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional Podcast aka my little sister returns! This time we discuss the ever-debated Darlie Routier case. Yolanda's Podcast: www.notperfectorfunctional.com or look for it under "Not Perfect or Functional" on iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Resources: Book: A Killer in My House: The Darlie Routier Story by David Kennedy Link to DNA results: www.dallascounty.org/public_access.php Choose "accept" on main page and then e...
Dec 18, 2018•1 hr 58 min•Ep. 115
On Christmas week 1992, a series of murders took place in Dayton, Ohio. Some would call it a case of “thrill killing” others would point to juvenile delinquency, dysfunctional family issues or just plain bad kids. The identified “ringleader” would fit none of these stereotypes and yet, made the decision to go on a murder spree that would shock his community. #MarvallousKeene #DaytonOhio #thrillkillers #Christmascrimes See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice ...
Dec 11, 2018•42 min•Ep. 114
Three generations of one family are murdered on Christmas Eve, 2007 in Carnation, Washington. Resources: The State of Washington v. McEnroe and Anderson, Certification for Determination of Probable Cause, Dec 28, 2007. Natalie Singer, Seattle Times , "Court papers tell of victims' terrifying last moments," Dec 29, 2007. Steve Miletich, Jennifer Sullivan, Sara Jean Green and Sonia Krishnan, Seattle Times , "Carnation slaying suspects: a history of arguments, paranoia," Dec 28, 2007. Levi Pulkkine...
Dec 04, 2018•33 min•Ep. 113
A young couple play a deadly game with perfect strangers on Memorial Day weekend, 2002 in Ocean City, Maryland. #homicide #killercouples #thrillkillers www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Resources: Jeff Barker, The Baltimore Sun , "Erika Sifrit is found guilty in Ocean City double-killing," June 11, 2003. Sifrit v. State of Maryland , Court of Appeals Decision, retrieved from www.FindLaw.com, Aug 27, 2008. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19...
Nov 27, 2018•37 min•Ep. 112
