Valley of Shadows

Introducing: The Expert Witness from CBC’s Uncover

In Akron, Ohio, murder cases that went cold for years are suddenly being solved. But defense attorney Don Malarcik isn’t celebrating; he’s alarmed. The key evidence in these cases is coming from a mysterious AI tool called Cybercheck, a system so secretive that its founder refuses to explain the details of how the technology actually works. Allegedly, Cybercheck uses open-source data to place suspects at crime scenes without the need for witnesses — and while no one, not even prosecutors, understand how it works — it’s being increasingly embraced by U.S. police services and placing people in prison cells across the country. As Cybercheck continues to spread, Don teams up with a concerned network of lawyers, investigators, and journalists to unravel what’s really powering this so-called breakthrough in crime-solving. What they find is a tangled story of lies, unvetted tech, and a charismatic Canadian entrepreneur whose invention operates in a black box. From the makers of Sea of Lies, this season of Uncover: The Expert Witness asks what happens when AI enters the courtroom? Who is benefitting from this mysterious technology? And who’s accountable when AI gets it wrong? More episodes of Uncover are available here [https://link.mgln.ai/TEWxVOS]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 8: The Finish Line

A reunion between two retired detectives brings new focus to the Aujay investigation, just as Hayley and Betsy find out about another tragedy in the Punchbowl area. When a woman and her father are shot dead in deputy Engels’ home, the fatalities should’ve prompted the sheriff’s department to take a harder look at the alleged dirty deputy. But, instead, the LASD tries to bury the matter and — just like in the Aujay case — the deaths are ruled suicides. Hayley and Betsy press the department for answers about these and other suspicious deaths that occurred in Engels’ jurisdiction. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here [https://lnk.to/VOSsoundtrack]. Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valley-of-shadows/id1858046983] or at Pushkin.fm/plus [http://pushkin.fm/plus]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 7: The Trial

While the DEA showers Hager in accolades, the LASD turns against him. But Hager fights back, and drags the department’s dirty secrets out into open court. Betsy and Hayley go through thousands of pages of court documents, including internal LASD memos and recordings, to find out what the department knows about Aujay’s disappearance. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here [https://lnk.to/VOSsoundtrack]. Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valley-of-shadows/id1858046983] or at Pushkin.fm/plus [http://pushkin.fm/plus]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 6: The Big Takedown

Brandenburg is taken off the Aujay case, but the LASD can’t stop Hager and the federal task force. With the help of wiretaps, informants, and 18 months of investigation, the team pulls off one of the largest drug stings in Antelope Valley history and nets a key witness in the Aujay case. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here [https://lnk.to/VOSsoundtrack]. Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valley-of-shadows/id1858046983] or at Pushkin.fm/plus [http://pushkin.fm/plus]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Episode 5: The Legend of Bigfoot

Decades before Jon Aujay’s disappearance, the Devil’s Punchbowl was infamous for something else: Bigfoot sightings. Sasquatch became a known boogeyman in the area. But beneath the folklore lies something real —- a local deputy, named Rick Engels, whose reputation inspires a different kind of fear. As detectives Brandenburg and Hager look into their colleague, they uncover a surprising connection to the Aujay case. Hear the full Valley of Shadows soundtrack here [https://lnk.to/VOSsoundtrack]. Binge the entire season of Valley of Shadows, ad-free, by subscribing to Pushkin+. Sign up on the Valley of Shadows show page on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/valley-of-shadows/id1858046983] or at Pushkin.fm/plus [http://pushkin.fm/plus]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.