Ghouls Podcast

S2: E5 Jeffrey MacDonald Part 1

Jeffrey MacDonald is one of the most infamous figures in American true crime. Convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Colette, and their two young daughters in 1970, his case has captivated—and divided—the public for decades. If you've read Fatal Vision or watched the television adaptation, you may already be convinced of his guilt. But what if the story isn't that simple? In this episode, we'll take a deep dive into the crime scene, the forensic evidence, the arguments for and against MacDonald, and the decades of investigations, appeals, and courtroom battles that have kept this case alive for more than half a century. References: General Background on Fatal Vision and the MacDonald Case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Vision [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Vision] CBS News — Appeals and Ongoing Controversy https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeal-in-1970-fatal-vision-murder-case/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeal-in-1970-fatal-vision-murder-case/] Office of Justice Programs (OJP) — “Fatal Vision Revisited” https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fatal-vision-revisited-macdonald-murder-case [https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/fatal-vision-revisited-macdonald-murder-case] Los Angeles Times — DNA / Hair Evidence Coverage https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-fatal-vision-murders-evidence-20120926-story.html [https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2012-sep-26-la-na-nn-fatal-vision-murders-evidence-20120926-story.html] Los Angeles Times — McGinniss / MacDonald Lawsuit Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-09-mn-3103-story.html [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-09-mn-3103-story.html] Los Angeles Times — Settlement Coverage https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-22-me-1079-story.html [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-22-me-1079-story.html] ABC News — Helena Stoeckley / Prosecutorial Misconduct Allegations https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=1408389 [https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=1408389] TIME Magazine — A Wilderness of Error Review https://time.com/5887412/wilderness-of-error-review-fx/ [https://time.com/5887412/wilderness-of-error-review-fx/] Books Mentioned Fatal Vision — Joe McGinniss https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45758.Fatal_Vision [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45758.Fatal_Vision] Fatal Justice — Jerry Allen Potter & Fred Bost https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/666555.Fatal_Justice [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/666555.Fatal_Justice] The Journalist and the Murderer — Janet Malcolm https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65564.The_Journalist_and_the_Murderer [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/65564.The_Journalist_and_the_Murderer] A Wilderness of Error — Errol Morris https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52243312-a-wilderness-of-error [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52243312-a-wilderness-of-error]

S2: E4 Haunted Edinburgh

Explore the rich and haunted history of Edinburgh, from ancient origins to modern ghost stories, uncovering the city's dark past and its spectral inhabitants. resources Edinburgh Castle - https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/ [https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/] Greyfriar's Kirkyard - https://www.edinburgh.org/see-and-do/attractions/greyfriars-kirkyard/ [https://www.edinburgh.org/see-and-do/attractions/greyfriars-kirkyard/] Mary King's Close - https://www.realmuseum.com/visit/edinburgh-museum/marys-close/ [https://www.realmuseum.com/visit/edinburgh-museum/marys-close/] Scottish Paranormal Society - https://scottishparanormal.co.uk/ [https://scottishparanormal.co.uk/] Stone Tape Theory - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_tape_theory [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_tape_theory]

S2: E3 The Bell Witch

In this episode, we explore the chilling legend of the Bell Witch, one of America’s most famous haunts. It began in 1817 on the farm of John Bell Sr. in Adams, Tennessee. What started as strange noises and unexplained disturbances soon escalated into violent encounters, disembodied voices, and a spirit known as “Kate” that allegedly targeted the Bell family — especially Betsy Bell. We examine the most famous claims, including physical attacks, the death of John Bell, and even a rumored visit from Andrew Jackson, all while looking at what is documented and what might be legend. References: 1. Wikipedia – Bell Witch 2. Tennessee Encyclopedia – “Bell Witch” 3. The Bell Witch Site – “Story of a Classic American Haunting” 4. Tennessee State Library & Archives – “Tennessee Myths and Legends (Bell Witch)” 5. Bell Witch: The Truth Exposed by Camille Moffitt 6. The Bell Witch - Brett Monahan

S2: E2 When Children Kill: Paris Lee Bennett

This conversation delves into the tragic case of Paris Bennett, who at the age of 13 murdered his four-year-old sister, Ella. The discussion explores the complexities of family dynamics, the psychological factors at play, and the warning signs that were overlooked. It also examines the impact of childhood trauma, the role of genetics, and the mother's struggles with addiction. The episode emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and the need for early intervention in cases of troubling behavior in children. References: * Film: The Family I Had * https://nypost.com/2020/01/13/why-my-monster-son-murdered-and-molested-my-daughter/ [https://nypost.com/2020/01/13/why-my-monster-son-murdered-and-molested-my-daughter/] * https://medium.com/@tonyakpan45/13-year-old-assaults-4-year-old-sister-stabs-her-17-times-b2a5442bf51b [https://medium.com/@tonyakpan45/13-year-old-assaults-4-year-old-sister-stabs-her-17-times-b2a5442bf51b]

S2: E1 Greenbriar Ghost

Today, we’re going to explore a case that merges true crime and the paranormal. It's the ONLY case that legitimately does both of those things at the same time, because it’s the one and only time a ghost’s testimony was used as evidence in a court of law. We’re talking about Zona Heaster Shue, also known as the Greenbriar Ghost. References: -https://www.gothichorrorstories.com/gothic-travel/the-death-resurrection-and-retribution-of-zona-heaster-shue-the-greenbrier-ghost/ [https://www.gothichorrorstories.com/gothic-travel/the-death-resurrection-and-retribution-of-zona-heaster-shue-the-greenbrier-ghost/] * https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-a-ghosts-evidence-con_b_9252062 [https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-a-ghosts-evidence-con_b_9252062]