Murder at the Courthouse

Trapped: Francine Huges, Survival and Justice.

For years, Francine Hughes endured severe domestic abuse behind closed doors. In 1977, after repeated violence and failed attempts to escape, she took an action that would shock the nation and forever change the conversation about domestic violence, survivor advocacy and the criminal justice system. Topics Discussed: * The life of Francine Hughes * Patterns of coercive control and domestic violence * Arson * The "battered woman syndrome" defense * Self-defense and criminal responsibility * The criminal trial and acquittal * Media attention and The Burning Bed * The case's impact on domestic violence law and victim advocacy.

Houston do we have a problem?

Dead bodies continue to be pulled from Houston's bayous. People are asking: Is a serial killer at work? The officials say no. But the question refuses to go away. Law enforcement missed the pattern of teenage boys going missing. In this episode we will take a deep dive into the initial investigative failures of the murders committed by Dean Corrl, "The Candyman" and his accomplices, that would never go unnoticed today or is it happening all over again? Source/Credits: ABC News Houston, Jessica Willey Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of murder, violence, sexual abuse and crimes against children. Listener discretion is advised. Topics Discussed * Houston bayou deaths * Serial Killer investigations * Missing teenagers * Dean Corll ("The Candyman") * Houston crime history * Circumstantial evidence * Pattern recognition * Law enforcement investigations * Public perception versus evidence * Criminal justice analysis

Sextortion

Sextortion is the new extortion. Ashley, Krista, Sierra and Payday have come up with the “perfect” scheme to net hundreds of dollars from unsuspecting “tricks”. Meet Ashley and Krista, two women who exploited men through ads on Backpage, a controversial platform known for its dark underbelly. Driven by greed, they set their sights on Christopher Wall, relentlessly extorting him for thousands of dollars.   But when their demands push him to his limits, Wall's response is nothing short of shocking.  Acknowledgements: Court of Appeals Second Appellate District of Texas at Fort Worth.

Murder at the Courthouse

Christine Belford was determined to protect her children from a toxic co-parenting relationship but her fight cost her everything. In this heart-wrenching episode, we explore the life of a devoted mother caught in a desperate legal fight and the terrifying culmination of a dispute that turned deadly. This isn't just about a murder, it's about the relentless pursuit of peace and devastating power of family conflict. Acknowledgements: Department of Justice - Delaware, Delaware Online Newsroom Jeremy H.G. Ibrahim Sr., Attorney Edson A. Bostic, Attorney Tieffa Harper, Attorney

A great modern love story?

Cassie Ventura. Young. Beautiful. Talented. To the world, she had the celebrity image that comes with being in a relationship with a billionaire record producer. But behind closed doors a years-long pattern of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and drug use was unfolding. This week, we examine the shocking contrast between her public image and the secret terror she endured. We examine the evidence, legal issues and more. Cassie Ventura pulled back the curtain on the hidden epidemic of intimate partner violence that can affect anyone, regardless of fame or fortune. But was she as much of a victim as she claimed to be? WARNING: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, sexual abuse and trauma that may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care.