Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

Mark Geragos on Diddy, the Menendez Brothers & Defending America's Most Controversial Clients

Mark Geragos has spent more than three decades at the center of some of the most high-profile and controversial legal battles in America. From Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, Winona Ryder, and Scott Peterson to Erik and Lyle Menendez, Geragos has represented clients whose names dominated headlines around the world. Most recently, he served as an advisor to Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense team during one of the most closely watched federal trials in recent memory. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin sits down with one of America's most recognizable defense attorneys for a candid conversation about the justice system, celebrity defendants, media narratives, public perception, wrongful convictions, the Menendez brothers' fight for freedom, and the challenges of defending clients in the age of social media. Whether you agree with him or not, Mark Geragos has had a front-row seat to some of the biggest legal stories of our generation. Topics include: * Sean "Diddy" Combs * Erik & Lyle Menendez * Michael Jackson * Scott Peterson * Celebrity trials * Media influence on juries * The court of public opinion * High-profile criminal defense * America's justice system 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people closest to the stories that captivated the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

George Floyd’s Uncle on Justice, Rage, and What Changed America

On May 25, 2020, the world watched as George Floyd’s final moments sparked one of the largest social justice movements in modern history. Six years later, on the anniversary of his death, Unheard sits down with the man who has spent years carrying both the grief and the responsibility of keeping George’s name alive: his uncle, Selwyn Jones. In this deeply personal and emotional conversation, Selwyn speaks openly about the pain of losing George, the weight of becoming a public voice for his family, and the reality of fighting for justice in America long after the headlines fade away. But this episode goes far beyond one case. Selwyn and Justin Shepherd discuss systemic racism, police brutality, sentencing disparities, and the larger history that connects George Floyd to generations of injustice stretching back through the civil rights era and the murder of Emmett Till. Selwyn reflects on the courage of Mamie Till, the outrage that followed George Floyd’s death, and why accountability still remains elusive for so many families. The conversation also explores the emotional toll of activism, the failures within the justice system, the importance of speaking out, and why silence only allows injustice to continue. Throughout the episode, Selwyn shares raw personal reflections, difficult truths, and a message centered on courage, awareness, and action. This is not a political debate. It is a conversation about humanity, loss, accountability, and what happens when ordinary people decide they can no longer stay quiet. Follow and subscribe to Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

What If Everything You Know About Charles Manson Is Wrong?

This isn't just another Charles Manson episode.... For decades, the name Charles Manson has been synonymous with evil. The media painted him as a master manipulator, a cult leader capable of controlling minds, and the face of one of the most infamous murder cases in American history. But what if the story the public was told was never the full story? In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Justin Shepherd sits down with John Michael Jones — a man who developed a deeply personal relationship with Charles Manson over years of correspondence and conversations — alongside filmmaker Billie Mintz, director of the documentary Making Manson. Together, they explore the man behind the myth through unheard prison recordings, firsthand experiences, and years of research into one of the most controversial criminal cases in American history. The conversation challenges long-held beliefs surrounding the so-called “Manson Family,” the idea of mind control, and whether Manson became a scapegoat for a chaotic era America was desperate to make sense of. It also examines the role media narratives played in transforming Manson into something larger than life, often overshadowing the deeper complexities of the case itself. John Michael Jones shares what it was like communicating directly with Manson and witnessing sides of him the public never saw, while Billie Mintz discusses the process of creating Making Manson and the questions that emerged while digging through archival material, recordings, and decades of public mythology. The episode also dives into prison brutality, manipulation, redemption, societal fear, and the emotional burden carried by those connected to the case. At the center of it all is an important reminder: while history often turns killers into legends, the victims and the lives stolen should never be forgotten. This is not a glorification of Charles Manson. It is an attempt to understand how one man became a symbol, how narratives are shaped, and what happens when media mythology overtakes reality. Follow Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more long-form conversations with survivors, investigators, journalists, insiders, and voices rarely heard in mainstream coverage. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The Legal Analyst Millions Watch: Jesse Weber on True Crime, Trials, and Media

This week on Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, I sit down with Jesse Weber, attorney, legal analyst, host, and one of the most recognized voices in true crime and courtroom coverage today. Known for his work with Law&Crime [https://lawandcrime.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com], CourtTV, NewsNation, national television appearances, and extensive coverage of high profile criminal trials, Jesse joins me for an in depth conversation about some of the biggest cases dominating headlines, the evolution of true crime media, courtroom strategy, and what really happens behind the scenes when the cameras are rolling. From livestreamed trials and internet sleuthing to the ethical line between reporting and entertainment, this is a raw and honest discussion between two people who spend their lives immersed in some of the darkest and most talked about stories in the country. We also discuss the pressure of live television, the responsibility that comes with covering victims and defendants in real time, and why certain cases explode into national obsessions while others disappear from public attention. If you follow criminal trials, breaking news, legal analysis, or the modern true crime landscape, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Follow and subscribe to Unheard on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are available. Be sure to leave a review and turn notifications on so you never miss an episode. #JesseWeber #LawAndCrime #TrueCrime #Podcast #UnheardPodcast #CourtTV #NewsNation #LegalAnalysis #CriminalJustice #TrialCoverage #BreakingNews #TrueCrimeCommunity #JustinShepherd #CrimeNews #HighProfileCases See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

The DNA Solving “Unsolvable” Cases (Including Kohberger) | Othram Labs

There are cases that sit for years, sometimes decades, with no answers. No suspect, no clear direction, and no path forward. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs, to break down how advanced DNA technology is being used to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Othram specializes in working with extremely limited or degraded DNA, evidence that, until recently, would have gone nowhere. Their work has helped identify unknown victims, generate new leads in cold cases, and push investigations forward when traditional methods failed. That includes playing an instrumental role in the process that helped connect DNA evidence to Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho four case, using an incredibly small amount of touch DNA. In this conversation, Dr. Mittelman explains how this technology works, what people often misunderstand about DNA evidence, and how forensic science is rapidly evolving. More importantly, this episode looks at what all of this means for the future, where cases that once had no path forward may now have one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].