Talia Fonce

Shan Fieldman

On July 23, 2010, Shan Fieldman got into a pick-up truck in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Pontiac, Illinois to arrange the murder of his ex-wife, Shelley, and her current boyfriend, Alan.    Fieldman left briefly to get $100.00 from his fiancé, Talia Fonce, which was used as a down‑payment on the hit.  Fieldman also provided the hitman with descriptions of his ex and her boyfriend, as well as their home and their habit of hanging out in their garage.  He gave the hitman their correct address.  While he also left an IOU in the amount f $7,400.00 with the hitman, he did ensure himself plausible deniability by signing it “Joe Smith.”  Fieldman was arrested later that night with his fiancé’s children in his car.  His fiancé was also arrested because she had introduced Fieldman to Trina Bennett, the informant who reported the potential crime to police.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Sunday, June 6, 2021, at 8:00 p.m., Central, for Episode 13 of Clear and Convincing.  We’ll talk about the events leading up to the meeting with the hitman, the evidence against Fonce and Fieldman, their trials and appellate process, including the grant of federal habeas relief to Fieldman with the intervention of Kathleen Zellner.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 13 - Illinois v. Talia Fonce and Shan Fieldman

Larry Griffin

On June 26, 1980, a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Sarah Avenue and Olive Street in St. Louis, Missouri, took the life of 19-year old Quinton Moss and wounded Wallace Conner.  Moss had been a suspect in the January, 1980 murder of Dennis “Gant” Griffin, but had never been charged.  Larry Griffin was linked by a police officer who saw him in the company of two other men getting into a car similar to the one described by witnesses to the shooting and a bystander at the scene who was able to identify Griffin as one of the shooters.   Join Lisa O’Brien and Michel Carson on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, for Clear and Convincing,  Episode 11, State of Missouri v. Larry Griffin.  Griffin’s 1995 execution was controversial due to his claim of his actual innocence.  A 2005 investigation sponsored by the NAACP concluded that there were “doubts” about Griffin’s guilt.  A subsequent investigation by the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office reached a different conclusion.  We’ll talk about the evidence against Griffin, the post-execution investigation that raised doubts about his guilt and the investigation conducted by the St. Louis Circuit Attorney.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 11 - State of Missouri v. Larry Griffin

Denise Brown

On August 7, 2004, an anonymous call brought Nashville police to 2728 Mossdale Drive, where they found the home’s owner, 43-year old Johnny Michael Allen, dead in his bed.  He’d been shot once in the back of the head.  A tip led police to Room 302 at the InTown Suites, where they arrested 16-year old Cyntoia Denise Brown.  Initially, Brown gave police a fake name and claimed to be 19-years old.  Brown was a runaway from Clarksville, Tennesse.  While in Nashville, she’d been living with 24-year old Gary McGlothen, who went by the nicknames “Cut” or “Cut Throat.”  During questioning, Brown admitted shooting Johnny, but claimed self-defense, which was refuted by the crime scene and the evidence that Brown took guns, money, paper work and Johnny’s truck after shooting him in the head.  Her initial efforts to blame others were unsuccessful and she was charged with first degree murder, felony murder and aggravated robbery.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Episode 10, State of Tennessee v. Cyntoia Brown.  We’ll talk about the evidence linking Brown to the murder of Johnny Michael Allen and the propaganda campaign waged in 2019, which resulted in a grant of clemency by Bill Haslam, Tennessee’s governor and release from prison 15 years into a life sentence.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 10 - State of Tennessee v. Cyntoia Denise Brown

Lester Leroy Bower

On October 8, 1983, Bob Tate, Jerry Mack Brown, Ronald Mayes and Philip Good were shot in Tate’s ultralight airplane hangar in Sherman, Texas.  Their bodies were discovered by Tate's wife and son after Tate failed to come home that evening.  Tate’s ultralight, which had been advertised for sale by Good, was missing from the hangar.  Bower was identified in January, 1984 when phone records linked 3 calls to Good to a phone calling card provided to Bower by his employer, a chemical company.  In his initial interviews with police and FBI agents, who were asked to assist the investigation by the Grayson County Sheriff, Bower lied about everything, including the extent of his contact with Good and Tate, his presence in Sherman and his interest in the ultralight.  When police obtained a search warrant, they found aluminum tubing consistent with tubing used in ultralight aircraft, decals removed from an ultralight, wheels with the name “Tate” on them and Jerry Brown’s fingerprints on some of the tubing.  Bower was arrested and, in April, 1984, tried, convicted and sentenced to death.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan for Episode 12, State of Texas v. Lester Leroy Bower.  We’ll talk about the evidence linking Bower to the murders, his post-conviction claims of actual innocence and his claim that execution after 31 years on death row was “cruel and unusual” punishment.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 12 - State of Texas v. Lester Leroy Bower

Jason Anderson

On June 2, 1983, Kevin Cooper, who had a long history of escpaes from prison and mental health facilities, walked away from the Chino Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, California.  Cooper had a long history of escape from prison facilities and mental hospitals.  During the night of June 4, or early on the morning of June 5, Cooper entered the home of Doug and Peggy Ryen, where he beat, slashed and stabbed Doug, Peggy, and Jessica Ryen and family friend Christopher Hughes to death.  The sole survivor was 8-year old Joshua.  Cooper was convicted on February 19, 1985 and sentenced to death on May 15, 1985.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. for Episode 8, California v. Cooper and our interview with San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson.  We’ll talk to Mr. Anderson about Cooper’s most recent request for clemency, his request for an “innocence investigation” and the results of DNA testing recently ordered by outgoing Governor Brown and current Governor Newsome.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989‑1171.About Jason Anderson:  Jason Anderson was elected as the 36th District Attorney of San Bernardino County on June 5, 2018. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 1997 and served as a deputy district attorney for San Bernardino County from 1998 to 2014.  He entered private practice in Rancho Cucamonga in 2014 and has been an adjunct professor teaching Criminal Procedure and Trial Advocacy at the University of LaVerne College of Law.  He is a 2008 recipient of the Jennifer Brooks Lawyer of the Year Award, a 2012 recipient of the Above and Beyond Award  and a 2018 recipient of the George W. Porter Criminal Trial Attorney Award.

On June 2, 1983, Kevin Cooper, who had a long history of escpaes from prison and mental health facilities, walked away from the Chino Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, California.  Cooper had a long history of escape from prison facilities and mental hospitals.  During the night of June 4, or early on the morning of June 5, Cooper entered the home of Doug and Peggy Ryen, where he beat, slashed and stabbed Doug, Peggy, and Jessica Ryen and family friend Christopher Hughes to death.  The sole survivor was 8-year old Joshua.  Cooper was convicted on February 19, 1985 and sentenced to death on May 15, 1985.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. for Episode 8, California v. Cooper and our interview with San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson.  We’ll talk to Mr. Anderson about Cooper’s most recent request for clemency, his request for an “innocence investigation” and the results of DNA testing recently ordered by outgoing Governor Brown and current Governor Newsome.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989‑1171. About Jason Anderson:   Jason Anderson was elected as the 36th District Attorney of San Bernardino County on June 5, 2018. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 1997 and served as a deputy district attorney for San Bernardino County from 1998 to 2014.  He entered private practice in Rancho Cucamonga in 2014 and has been an adjunct professor teaching Criminal Procedure and Trial Advocacy at the University of LaVerne College of Law.  He is a 2008 recipient of the Jennifer Brooks Lawyer of the Year Award, a 2012 recipient of the Above and Beyond Award  and a 2018 recipient of the George W. Porter Criminal Trial Attorney Award.

Clear and Convincing - Ep. 8 - CA v. Cooper, interview with SBCDA Jason Anderson

Sheila Davalloo

On the afternoon of November 8, 2002, police in Stamford, Connecticut responding to a 911 call, found the body of Anna Lisa Raymundo in the entryway of her condominium.  She had been beaten and stabbed by an unknown assailant.  Her case would remain unsolved until March 23, 2003, when Sheila Davalloo, was arrested in connection with the attempted murder of her husband, Paul Christos.  Davalloo, a research scientist at Purdue Pharma, was a co-worker of Nelson Sessler, Raymundo’s boyfriend at the time she was murdered.  Detectives investigating the attack on Christos made the connection between Davalloo’s voice and the still unidentified 911 caller.  Davalloo was subsequently linked to Raymundo’s murder based on DNA evidence found in the bathroom of Raymundo’s condo.  After Davalloo’s conviction in the attempted murder of her husband in 2004, investigators and prosecutors built a murder case against Davalloo, who was eventually indicated in 2007.  In 2012, Davalloo, who represented herself at trial, was convicted  Raymundo’s murder.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Clear and Convincing, Episode 7, State of New York v. Sheila Davalloo and State of Connecticut v. Sheila Davalloo.  We’ll talk about Davalloo’s crimes, her separate trials in New York and Connecticut and the convictions that resulted in consecutive prison sentences that will keep Davalloo behind bars for a minimum term of 75 years.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 7 - New York and Connecticut v. Sheila Davalloo

Natalie Voss

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, for Clear &amp; Convincing, Episode 6, Women in Horse Racing.  For a change of pace, we’ll talk to Natalie Voss, Editor-in-Chief at The Paulick Report and 3-time Eclipse Award winner.  Natalie joins us to talk about the expansion of the roles held by women in horse racing.  We’ll also talk to Natalie about her work, including  her award-winning articles, many of which deal with important issues, including jockey health, regulatory developments and making sure thoroughbreds are safe when their racing careers end.  Natalie received her bachelor's degree in equine science with honors from the University of Kentucky.  Her work includes investigative features, breaking news and profiles on a variety of topics, with her byline appearing in the Paulick Report, Business Lexington magazine, Chevy Chaser, Southsider, Chronicle of the Horse, The Horse magazine, The Blood-Horse, Quarter Horse News, American Racehorse, Acreage Life, Veterinary Practice News, BirdTalk, and Equine International among others.  She’s a 3-time Eclipse Award winner and has been nominated a record 4-time nominee for the Stanley Bergstein Writing Award for investigative reporting.  She’s also a proud board member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Kentucky Horse Council. For more about Natalie, visit her website at http://www.natalievoss.com/about-1.

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, for Clear &amp; Convincing, Episode 6, Women in Horse Racing.  For a change of pace, we’ll talk to Natalie Voss, Editor-in-Chief at The Paulick Report and 3-time Eclipse Award winner.  Natalie joins us to talk about the expansion of the roles held by women in horse racing.  We’ll also talk to Natalie about her work, including  her award-winning articles, many of which deal with important issues, including jockey health, regulatory developments and making sure thoroughbreds are safe when their racing careers end.   Natalie received her bachelor's degree in equine science with honors from the University of Kentucky.  Her work includes investigative features, breaking news and profiles on a variety of topics, with her byline appearing in the Paulick Report, Business Lexington magazine, Chevy Chaser, Southsider, Chronicle of the Horse, The Horse magazine, The Blood-Horse, Quarter Horse News, American Racehorse, Acreage Life, Veterinary Practice News, BirdTalk, and Equine International among others.  She’s a 3-time Eclipse Award winner and has been nominated a record 4-time nominee for the Stanley Bergstein Writing Award for investigative reporting.  She’s also a proud board member of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Kentucky Horse Council.  For more about Natalie, visit her website at <a href="http://www.natalievoss.com/about-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.natalievoss.com/about-1</a>.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 6 - Women in Horse Racing with Natalie Voss

Michael Iver Peterson

At 2:40 a.m. on December 9, 2001, Michael Peterson, an author and former mayoral candidate, contacted Durham County 9-1-1 services to summon help for his wife, Kathleen.  Peterson claimed that Kathleen, who appeared to have fallen on a narrow, back staircase, was still breathing.  After disconnecting, he called 9-1-1 back and reported that his wife was no longer breathing.  Kathleen’s injuries, the copious amounts of blood on the staircase and the inconsistent statements from Peterson led police to suspect that her death was no accident.  Peterson’s 2003 conviction for first degree murder was vacated in 2011 after a prosecution expert was accused of malfeasance in several cases, including Peterson’s.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan and special guest Michelle D. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Clear and Convincing, Episode 5, State of North Carolina v. Michael Iver Peterson.  We’ll talk about the case against Peterson, the documentary “The Staircase” and the information the filmmakers left out.  We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 5 - North Carolina v. Michael Iver Peterson

In the early morning hours of October 2, 1999, Steven Beard called 9-1-1 in Austin, Texas to report a medical emergency.  First responders initially thought Beard was experiencing sudden complications after a recent surgery.  A shotgun shell found on the floor of Beard’s bedroom suggested a more sinister scenario.  Beard’s second wife, Celeste, did her best to keep her friend Tracey Tarlton’s name out of the investigation.  Celeste also refused to allow investigators to speak to her husband and counseled her children and their friends to refuse to cooperate in any investigation.  Tarlton was soon linked to the shooting and initially charged with assault.  When Steven Beard died in January of 2000, the charge was upgraded to murder.  When Celeste remarried, Tarlton broke her long held silence.   Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central for Clear and Convincing, Episode 4, State of Texas v. Celeste Beard Johnson.  We’ll talk about the evidence implicating Celeste Beard, her trial, conviction and sentence and direct appeal.  We’ll also talk about her unsuccessful state post-conviction claim and her late-filed federal habeas claim, which was dismissed by the federal court.   We are a live show and, as always, calls are welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 4 - State of Texas v. Celeste Beard Johnson

Caitlin Rother

New York Times bestselling author or co-author of 14 books, including Dead Reckoning; Hunting Charles Manson; Secrets, Lies, and Shoelaces; Naked Addiction; Then No One Can Have Her; I'll Take Care of You; and Poisoned Love is joining Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan to talk about her new book Death On Ocean Boulevard: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case.  For the first time since the body of Rebecca Zahau was found hanging naked, bound, and gagged in July, 2011, Ms. Rother takes a comprehensive, authoritative, and objective look at the entire death case, laying out the evidence and theories from all sides in this murder vs. suicide debate in her 11th true crime book, which is based on a compilation of research from the sheriff’s investigative files and her own interviews, investigation, and personal experience with her husband’s suicide. With no agenda, financial settlement, or verdict to protect, Ms. Rother’s narrative will correct rumors, misinformation, and conflation of speculative details, with the ultimate goal of uncovering the truth about the events leading to the deaths of Rebecca Zahau and Max Shacknai,  which are inextricably linked.

Clear & Convincing - Ep. 9 - Interview with Caitlin Rother, Death On Ocean Blvd.

What the world needs is all of the unbiased, accurate facts in Lisa’s podcasts!!

Love it! Nothing but Facts!!

Talk Radio 49

On August 21, 2019, Larry Ray Swearingen was executed for the December 8, 1998 murder of Melissa Aline Trotter.  Over the course of 19 years, Swearingen and his advocates filed what one federal judge described as “a convoluted tangle of habeas applications, pro se motions, mandamus actions, and amended pleadings.”  In 2006, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals described Swearingen’s pattern of requests filed days before execution as dilatory and warned Swearingen’s counsel that continued delays could subject them to sanctions.  In 2009, the Fifth Circuit characterized another late-filed request prior to a pending execution date as “timing gamesmanship.”  Agreed DNA testing did not exonerate Swearingen. Althought Swearingen’s counsel cited an intention to raise additional claims during February and March of 2019, they did not seek funding to pursue investigation of those claims until June.  In early August, 2019, counsel retained a new expert. The week before the execution, Swearingen’s counsel sought authorization to file successive state and federal writs, demonstrating what the Fifth Circuit described in 2009 as “disrespect for this court and for Swearingen's life.”  Swearingen and his advocates have also repeatedly misrepresented the weight of their post-conviction claims and evidence and have ignored the adverse findings of  state and federal courts that have reviewed those claims.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 8:30 p.m. for a review of the case against Swearingen, the multiple post-conviction claims advanced after his conviction and sentence were affirmed in 2003 and the misrepresentations made by Swearingen and his advocates in the media.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing - Episode 26 - Texas v. Larry Ray Swearingen

Theodore Robert Bundy

Ted Bundy is believed to be one of the most prolific and diabolical serial killers of the 20th Century.  His reign of terror began in Seattle, Washington on January 4, 1974 when he attacked and bludgeoned Karen Sparks as she slept in her basement apartment.   Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. Central for State of Utah v. Theodore Robert Bundy.  In Part 1, we’ll talk about Bundy’s early life, suspected murders and the series of murders he committed in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Colorado beginning in 1974 and ending with his arrest for an attempted kidnapping and assault in October of 1975.  Then we’ll talk about his arrest, trial and conviction in Utah.  Finally, we’ll talk about Bundy’s two unsuccessful escape attempts and his brazen escape from jail in Colorado while awaiting trial for murder.  We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 3 - State of Utah v. Theodore Robert Bundy (Part 1)

Steven Avery

Brendan Dassey

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on January 22, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for Clear and Convincing, Episode 35.  We’ll conclude our discussion of the Innocence Project’s post-execution efforts to exonerate Cameron Todd Willingham.  Then, to follow-up our interviews with Michael Griesbach and Kenneth Kratz, we’ll take another look at the Avery and Dassey cases to talk about the evidence against Avery and Dassey that wasn’t covered in the previous shows, as well as their direct appeals and post-conviction claims and the status of efforts to exonerate them.  We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 35 - Wisconsin v. Steven Avery & Brendan Dassey

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for the final episode of Clear and Convincing’s first season.  We’ll be discussing new developments in some of the cases we’ve covered since we launched last year, including the status of appeals filed by Jeffrey MacDonald, Jodi Arias, Scott Peterson, Dalia Dippolito and Stacey Johnson.  We’ll talk about the recent developments in the Alstory Simon, Larry Swearingen, Kevin Cooper and Steven Avery cases.  Finally, we’ll talk about the status of Rodney Reed, Hank Skinner and Adnan Syed cases and discuss some of the cases we plan to cover the during our second season.  We’re a live show and questions are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 39 - Updates

Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, for Part 4 of Clear &amp; Convincing’s series on State of California v. Charles Manson.  In August of 1969, Charles Manson’s plan to start a race war that would leave him in charge of the world began with the murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowski and Steve Parent.  The following night, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their home in furtherance of Manson’s plan for world domination.  In late August or early September, 1969, Manson and two followers murdered Donald “Shorty” Shea, a ranch hand at Spahn Ranch, whom Manson believed had reported the Family to police, which resulted in a raid at Spahn Ranch on August 16, 1969.  Most of the Family members were released the following day due to an error on the warrant.  The Family then relocated to Barker Ranch in Death Valley, where they were arrested in October, 1969 after Manson set fire to a county earth mover.  Manson is also believed to be behind several additional murders, including those of Marina Elizabeth Habe and attorney Ronald Hughes.  Tonight, in Part 4, we’ll talk about the trials, direct appeals and post-conviction and parole efforts of Manson and his Family members. We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 5 - State of California v. Charles Manson

Rodney Reed

Greg Corner

In this bonus episode of Clear &amp; Convincing Lisa and Michael talk to Greg Corner, a former boyfriend of Stacey Stites about his relationship with Stacey during the Spring and Summer of 1992.  For 22 years, people who barely knew Stacey have been talking about her in the media and on social media.  We’ll talk to Greg about his early life, his family, the Stacey he knew and the circumstances that changed the course of their lives.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 9 - Texas v. Rodney Reed (with Greg Corner)

Lizzie Andrew Borden

On August 4, 1992, Andrew Jackson Borden and his wife, Abby Durfee Gray Borden were murdered in their home on a busy street in Fall River, Massachusetts.  The murders happened about 90 minutes apart, some time after 9:00 a.m.  While the whereabouts and movements of the Borden family maid were corroborated, Andrew’s younger daughter Lizzie offered conflicting accounts and statements to family friends and police.  By Saturday, Lizzie became the prime suspect.  After giving confused and contradictory testimony at an inquest the following week, Lizzie was arrested and transferred to the jail in Taunton, the seat of Bristol County, to await trial.  In December, 1892, Lizzie was indicted on three counts of capital murder.  Though she was acquitted after trial, debate over Lizzie’s guilt or innocence persists.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of the history of Fall River, Massachusetts, the Borden Family and what we know about Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Lizzie Andrew Borden.  We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Ep. 49 - Commonwealth of Mass. v. Lizzie Andrew Borden

Stanley Tookie Williams

On February 27, 1979, Albert Owens was murdered during a robbery at a 7-Eleven store in Whittier, California by Stanley “Tookie” Williams, a co-founder of the Crips street gang.  On March 11, 1979, at around 5:30 a.m. Robert Yang heard a loud bang, a woman’s scream and gunshots coming from the offices of his family’s motel on South Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.  Robert’s parents, Yen-I Yang and Tsai-Shai Yang and sister, Ye-Chen Lin were shot during a robbery of the motel.  Prior to his arrest, Williams made inculpatory admissions to numerous friends.  In one particularly disturbing admission, Williams imitated the noises made by Albert Owens after being shot in the back, then laughed hysterically for several minutes.  After his arrest, Williams conspired with a jailhouse snitch to ultimately attempt escape during transport to court.  Williams’ plan included killing a witness against him, as well as the guards and other prisoners on the bus.  At his trial in 1981, testimony established that a shotgun shell found at the Brookhaven Motel scene had been matched to a shotgun purchased by Williams in 1974.  That evidence, along with Williams’ escape plans and admissions to friends resulted in his conviction.  Once Williams’ appeals were exhausted, his execution was set for December, 2005.  A host of celebrities and anti-death penalty advocates opposed his execution claiming that he had redeemed himself while in prison.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of the case against Stanley Williams, his trial, direct appeal and post-conviction claims, as well as the controversy surrounding his 2005 execution.  We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 40 - State of California v. Stanley Tookie Williams

Michael Carnahan

Dalia Dippolito

On July 31, 2009, Mohammed Shihadeh contacted Florida police to report a murder-for-hire plot.  During an interview with the Boynton Beach Police Department, Shihadeh advised detectives that a woman he knew only as “Delilah” was trying to find a hitman to kill her husband of six months.  On August 1, 2009, Shihadeh, while wearing a wire and with a video camera hidden in his car, met with Dalia Dippolito in the parking lot of a Mobil gas station in Boynton Beach, Florida.  After a 6-day investigation, on August 5, 2009, Dalia Dippolito was arrested and charged with solicitation to commit first degree murder.  In spite of the audio and video evidence collected during the investigation, Dippolito’s legal team claimed that she was acting and had no intent to murder her husband.   Join Michael Carnahan and Lisa O’Brien for a discussion of the evidence against Dippolito, her improbable defense to the charges and the twists and turns the case took, while she spent 8 years on house arrest. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear and Convincing with Lisa O'Brien and Michael Carnahan - Dalia Dippolito

In October, 1977, Buono and Bianchi assaulted and strangled 19-year old Yolanda Washington in the backseat of Bianchi’s 1972 Cadillac and then dumped her body on a hillside near Forest Lawn Cemetary in Los Angeles, California.  Their next victim, 15-year old Judy Miller, was taken to Buono’s home, where she was raped and strangled.  Her body was dumped on a neighborhood street, in full view of children heading to school on Halloween morning.  Between October, 1977 and February, 1978, Buono and Bianchi claimed the lives of 10 women and girls ranging in age from 12 to 28.  During the late spring, or early summer of 1978, Bianchi moved from Los Angeles to Bellingham, Washington, where on January 12, 1979, he murdered two women that he lured to a vacant house using his position as a security company supervisor.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. Central for State of California v. Angelo Buono, Jr. and Kenneth Bianchi.   We’ll talk about the backgrounds of Buono and Bianchi and their victims, the “Hillside Strangler” investigation in Los Angeles and the murder investigation in Washington state that broke the case.  We’ll also talk about Buono’s trial, one of the longest and most expensive in Los Angeles County history, and the games Bianchi played with investigators and psychologists and the circumstances that led to his return to Washington state to serve his sentence.

Clear & Convincing - Ep. 7 - California v. Angelo Buono, Jr. and Kenneth Bianchi

Torey Adamcik

Brian Draper

On Friday, September 22, 2006, Cassie Jo Stoddart was stabbed to death while housesitting for her aunt and uncle in Pocatello, Idaho.   Cassie’s boyfriend, Matt Beckham and friends, Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper, spent part of the evening with her.  Within 15 minutes of Torey and Brian leaving, the power in the house went out, which spooked both Cassie and Matt.  Not allowed to spend the night, Matt was picked up by his mother at around 10:30 p.m.  On Sunday, September 24, Cassie’s 13-year old cousin discovered her body in the family room.  An autopsy revealed that Cassie had been stabbed more than 30 times, with 12 wounds deemed potentially fatal.   Police questioned Matt, Torey and Brian immediately after Cassie’s body was discovered.  Investigators believed that Matt was telling them the truth, but did not find Torey and Brian credible.  On Wednesday, September 27, 2006, Brian Draper led police to a cache of evidence buried in Black River Canyon.  Draper and Adamcik attempted to burn some of the evidence, which included a several knives, a videotape, gloves, masks and clothing.  The knives had been purchased by an 18-year old friend at Adamcik’s request on August 30, 2006.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of the evidence against Adamcik and Draper, their direct appeals, post-conviction claims and Adamcik’s attempt to have his life sentence reduced pursuant to Miller v. Alabama and Montgomery v. Louisiana. We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 37 - Idaho v. Torey Adamcik & Brian Draper

On April 23, 1996, Stacey Stites was raped and strangled, before her body was dumped on the side of a country road in Bastrop, Texas.  Police theorized that Ms. Stites was abducted between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m. while on her way to the H.E.B. store, where she worked an early morning shift in the produce department.  The truck she was driving was found abandoned at Bastrop High School, which was 35 miles from the apartment in Giddings that she shared with her future husband, Jimmy Fennell.  In March, 1997, DNA results from Ms. Stites’ body linked Rodney Reed to the murder.  In spite of his claims of a secret relationship with the victim, Reed was convicted and sentenced to death in May, 1998.  Reed’s direct appeal and numerous state and federal writs have been unsuccessful.  In Part 1 of State of Texas v. Rodney Reed, we talked about issues raised by Reed’s advocates on social media, in media articles and documentaries to support their claim that he is actually innocent of Ms. Stites’ murder and/or that there is reasonable doubt about his guilt.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, for Part 2, where we’ll discuss the claims raised by Reed in a tenth writ to the Texas courts and the claims that led to a stay of execution.  In our second hour, we’ll be joined by Robert Phillips, the attorney for Jimmy Fennell.  Mr. Phillips is a criminal defense attorney in Williamson County, Texas, with more than 25 years of experience.  He’s participated in over 200 jury trials and disposed of more than 3,000 felony and misdemeanor criminal cases at the state and federal level.   We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 39 - State of Texas v. Rodney Reed (Part 2)

Dr. Christopher Daniel Duntsch started his neurosurgery practice in Dallas, Texas in 2011 after completing a training program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.  When he relocated to Dallas, Texas, his first job at the Minimally Invasive Spine Center ended when he left a patient unattended after surgery to jet off to Las Vegas.  He then moved to Baylor Plano Hospital, where his surgeries were plagued by bad outcomes.  After a brief suspension of his privileges, Duntsch was reinstated to perform “simple procedures.”  During one such procedure, Kellie Martin died when he severed an artery.  After Martin’s death, Duntsch resigned and Baylor Plano closed their investigation.  His next surgeries at Dallas Medical Center resulted in bad outcomes for multiple patients.  Floella Brown died when Duntsch blocked an artery, triggering a massive stroke.  Several patients were totally or partially paralyzed by severed nerves and misplaced hardware.  Drs. Randall Kirby and Robert Henderson lobbied the Texas Medical Board to revoke Duntsch’s license.  Fear that he would move to another state and harm more patients led them to lobby the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to take action.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, as we talk about the criminal case against Duntsch, his trial, conviction, sentence and direct appeal. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.In memory of Glorious Alliance (04/06/1992 - 11/01/2019):Every horse goes on.  We become part of the spiritual army that fights for good on earth and in the universe.  And we fight because of the love our humans have for us in this life and the next.From:  Bedtime Stories From The Pasture: A Thoroughbred horse's magical musings about life, love, and spirituality

Dr. Christopher Daniel Duntsch started his neurosurgery practice in Dallas, Texas in 2011 after completing a training program at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.  When he relocated to Dallas, Texas, his first job at the Minimally Invasive Spine Center ended when he left a patient unattended after surgery to jet off to Las Vegas.  He then moved to Baylor Plano Hospital, where his surgeries were plagued by bad outcomes.  After a brief suspension of his privileges, Duntsch was reinstated to perform “simple procedures.”  During one such procedure, Kellie Martin died when he severed an artery.  After Martin’s death, Duntsch resigned and Baylor Plano closed their investigation.  His next surgeries at Dallas Medical Center resulted in bad outcomes for multiple patients.  Floella Brown died when Duntsch blocked an artery, triggering a massive stroke.  Several patients were totally or partially paralyzed by severed nerves and misplaced hardware.  Drs. Randall Kirby and Robert Henderson lobbied the Texas Medical Board to revoke Duntsch’s license.  Fear that he would move to another state and harm more patients led them to lobby the Dallas County District Attorney’s office to take action.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, as we talk about the criminal case against Duntsch, his trial, conviction, sentence and direct appeal. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171. In memory of Glorious Alliance (04/06/1992 - 11/01/2019): Every horse goes on.  We become part of the spiritual army that fights for good on earth and in the universe.  And we fight because of the love our humans have for us in this life and the next. From:  Bedtime Stories From The Pasture: A Thoroughbred horse's magical musings about life, love, and spirituality

Clear & Convincing - Episode 37 - State of Texas v. Christopher Daniel Duntsch

Aaron Lewis

Crystal Lowery

On September 25, 2014, Beverly Carter, a Little Rock real estate agent, went to a bank foreclosure property in Scott, Arkansas to show the house to a couple who had contacted her about online.  Beverly was lured to the property by Aaron Lewis and his wife, Crystal Lowery, who targeted her because they perceived her to be “a rich broker.”  Lewis tazed Beverly, bound her with duct tape and put her in the trunk of his car.  The poorly executed kidnapping plot soon unraveled.  Beverly and Carl Carter, her husband, didn’t have ready cash to meet a ransom demand and Lewis had left Beverly’s purse locked in her car at the Scott property.  Beverly was murdered when Lewis and Lowery realized that Beverly could have gotten Lowery’s name from prescription bottles in the bathroom where they’d held her.  Lewis and Lowery then buried Beverly’s body in a shallow grave at a concrete plant in Cabot, Arkansas.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for State of Arkansas v. Aaron Lewis and Crystal Lowery.  We’ll talk about the evidence against the defendants, Lowery’s guilty plea in 2015, Lewis’ efforts to exclude evidence and testimony from his trial, his every-changing stories about the crime and the status of his capital murder and kidnapping case.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.In 2017, Carl Carter, Jr., started a non-profit organization to improve safety in the real estate industry.  The Beverly Carter Foundation offers educational resources, safety training and seminars, technology support and victim advocacy and support services nationwide.  Their mission is to ensure that every real estate agent goes home safely at the end of the day.  For more information, visit https://beverlycarterfoundation.org.

On September 25, 2014, Beverly Carter, a Little Rock real estate agent, went to a bank foreclosure property in Scott, Arkansas to show the house to a couple who had contacted her about online.  Beverly was lured to the property by Aaron Lewis and his wife, Crystal Lowery, who targeted her because they perceived her to be “a rich broker.”  Lewis tazed Beverly, bound her with duct tape and put her in the trunk of his car.  The poorly executed kidnapping plot soon unraveled.  Beverly and Carl Carter, her husband, didn’t have ready cash to meet a ransom demand and Lewis had left Beverly’s purse locked in her car at the Scott property.  Beverly was murdered when Lewis and Lowery realized that Beverly could have gotten Lowery’s name from prescription bottles in the bathroom where they’d held her.  Lewis and Lowery then buried Beverly’s body in a shallow grave at a concrete plant in Cabot, Arkansas.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central for State of Arkansas v. Aaron Lewis and Crystal Lowery.  We’ll talk about the evidence against the defendants, Lowery’s guilty plea in 2015, Lewis’ efforts to exclude evidence and testimony from his trial, his every-changing stories about the crime and the status of his capital murder and kidnapping case.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171. In 2017, Carl Carter, Jr., started a non-profit organization to improve safety in the real estate industry.  The Beverly Carter Foundation offers educational resources, safety training and seminars, technology support and victim advocacy and support services nationwide.  Their mission is to ensure that every real estate agent goes home safely at the end of the day.  For more information, visit <a href="https://beverlycarterfoundation.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://beverlycarterfoundation.org</a>.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 35 - Arkansas v. Aaron Lewis and Crystal Lowery

Edward Wayne Edwards

On March 9, 2009, Edward Wayne Edwards’ daughter, April, watched a television documentary profiling the August 9, 1980 murders of Tim Hack and Kelly Drew in Watertown, Wisconsin.  April remembered living in the area briefly around the time of the murders and that her father worked at the reception hall where the victims were last seen.   She contacted authorities and reported her tip.  Edwards had been questioned as a person of interest in the case prior to fleeing with his family.  DNA linked Edwards to the Wisconsin murders and he was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky on July 30, 2009.   Edwards went on to confess to a 1977 murder of a couple in Ohio and the 1993 murder of his adoptive son for insurance money.  Shortly after Edwards’ case made the news, a retired Montana homicide detective began a quest to link Edward to an unsolved Great Falls double homicide committed in January, 1956.  Soon, the detective believed he’d linked Edwards to countless murders, beginning in 1945 and soon included allegations of wrongful arrest and conviction in numerous cases.  In Part 2, we’ll talk about the murders Edwards allegedly committed between 1954 and 1989. We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 24 - Edward Wayne Edwards (Part 2)

Richard Glossip

On January 6, 1997, Barry Van Treese traveled from his home in Lawton, Oklahoma to the Best Budget Inn in Oklahoma City.  His plan was to pay his employees, pick-up receipts from the hotel, travel to Tulsa and do the same and then return to the Oklahoma City property to inspect it and deal with the manager of that property, Richard Glossip.  Glossip had been managing the hotel in Oklahoma City for between eight and nine months and, in the last six months of 1996, Mr. Van Treese and his wife calculated that about $6,000 in receipts was not turned over by Glossip.  The condition of the property was also deplorable, with only about 24 of the 54 rooms habitable.  Glossip was also permitting unregistered guests to occupy rooms, including his brother Bobby, a drug dealer.   In the early morning of January 7, 1997, after Van Treese returned from Tulsa, Glossip sent 19-year old Justin Sneed to murder Van Treese, promising him between $7,000.00 and $10,000.00.  After the murder, Glossip instructed Sneed to move Van Treese’s vehicle, also telling Sneed to get an envelope with cash from beneath the front seat.  When Sneed returned with the money, Glossip took it and split it between them.  Over the next 17 hours, Glossip told conflicting stories to hotel employees and police investigating Van Treese’s disappearance.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at 8:30 p.m. Central for Part 1 of State of Oklahoma v. Richard Glossip.  We’ll talk about Glossip’s post-conviction claims, the outcome of state and federal court review, his execution dates, stays of execution and the status of executions in Oklahoma.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 34 - State of Oklahoma v. Richard Glossip (Part 2)

At approximately 3:51 a.m. on December 9, 1981, Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner pulled over a light blue Volkswagen for what should have been a routine traffic stop.  Within minutes, the stop turned deadly.  William Cook, the driver of the Volkswagen, got out of the  vehicle and confronted Officer Faulkner.  Before Officer Faulkner’s requested back-up could arrive, Cook punched Officer Faulkner, leading to a struggle as Officer Faulkner attempted to arrest Cook. Cook’s brother, Wesley, a/k/a Mumia Abu-Jamal, was across the street, sitting in his cab.  Abu-Jamal got out of the cab and ran across the street, where he shot Officer Faulkner in the back with a .38 pistol.  As Officer Faulkner fell, he was able to pull his service weapon and shoot Abu-Jamal in the stomach.  After Officer Faulkner fell, Abu-Jamal stood over him and fired four more times.  Officer Faulkner suffered an instantly fatal, close-range gunshot wound to the forehead.  Officer Faulkner’s back-up arrived within seconds of the shooting to find Officer Faulkner fatally wounded, Abu-Jamal sitting on the curb a few feet away from his victim and Cook standing against a nearby wall.  Cook’s first words to police as he was arrested were, “I ain’t got nothing to do with it.”  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, for Part 2 of Clear &amp; Convincing’s series on Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Wesley Cook, a/k/a Mumia Abu-Jamal.  We’ll talk about a little more about the victim, Officer Daniel Faulkner, then move on to the pre-trial, trial and direct appeal process in the case of Commonwealth v. Wesley Cook, a/k/a Mumia Abu-Jamal. We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 7 - Commonwealth v. Mumia Abu-Jamal (Pt. 2)

Stacey Lee

In this bonus episode of Clear &amp; Convincing and in observation of Stacey Lee Stites’ 43rd birthday, Lisa and Michael talk to Carol Stites, Crystal Dobbs Hefley and Debra Oliver.  Ms. Carol, Crystal and Debra knew Stacey better than anyone.    We’ll learn about Stacey’s family and her childhood and early adolescence in Corpus Christi, Texas.  We’ll also talk about the events that changed the course of Stacey’s life and brought her first to Smithville, then to Bastrop and Giddings, Texas.  For 22 years, people who barely knew Stacey, or didn’t know her at all, have been talking about her in the media and on social media.  For the first time, Stacey’s mother and two of her sisters will tell us about the real Stacey Lee Stites.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 45 - Stacey Lee Stites (01/19/1977-04/23/1996)

Shanna Elizabeth Golyar

At 6:15 a.m. on November 13, 2012, Cari Lea Farver attended a conference call related to a project with her employer.  When her new boyfriend, Dave Kroupa, left for work, Cari was working on her computer.  Cari never made it to work that morning and didn’t call in, which was out of character.  Later that morning, Dave got a text suggesting that the couple move in together.  When he declined, he received angry texts ending their brief relationship.  From that point forward, the only communication from Cari came in the form of text messages.  No one saw Cari or heard her voice after November 13, 2012.  Shanna Golyar, a former girlfriend of Dave, soon began receiving threatening and harassing texts and social media messages from “Cari.”  When her home and vehicle were vandalized, “Cari” took responsibility shortly afterwards.  In August, 2013, Golyar’s house was burned, with “Cari” admitting to setting the house on fire.   In 2014, the ruse fell apart when Golyar tried to shift blame for the years of stalking and harassment to Amy Flora, the mother of Dave’s children.  In 2016, the digital trail left by Golyar in a bizarre attempt to win Dave back ended with her arrest and prosecution for murder and arson.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. Central as we talk about the case against Shanna Elizabeth Golyar and the trial gamble that backfired, resulting in her conviction for the first degree murder of Cari Lea Farver and second degree arson.  We’re a live show and calls are always welcome at (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Episode 32 - State of Nebraska v. Shanna Elizabeth Golyar

On April 6, 2009, Abraham Shakespeare, a 2006 Florida lottery winner, used his phone for the last time and disappeared.  Dorice Donegan Moore, his financial adviser, had recently purchased all of Shakespeare’s assets, including his house, and drained the last of his cash lottery winnings, which was just over a million dollars.  Dee Dee offered different stories and gave conflicting accounts of Shakespeare’s whereabouts and reasons for leaving to friends and family, who also received suspicious text messages from a man who was functionally illiterate.  With the help of an informant who conned the con, investigators were able to build a case against Moore and in January, 2010, they recovered the weapon used to kill Abraham and located his body buried behind a house purchased by Moore and titled in her boyfriend’s name.  Join Lisa O’Brien and Michael Carnahan on Tuesday, February 3, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. Central for a discussion of Shakespeare’s disappearance, the case against Moore, her trial, direct appeal and state post-conviction claims.  We’ll be joined by Merissa Green, a retired journalist from Central Florida, who has been featured on national TV for her investigation of the Abraham Shakespeare murder case.  We’re a live show and calls are welcome.  Our phone number is (347) 989-1171.

Clear & Convincing - Ep. 48 - Florida v. Dorice Donegan Moore w/Merissa Green

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

OwlTail

Best Parenting Podcasts

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!