Burden of Proof

Episode 43: The Assassinations of George Moscone and Harvey Milk

Join us in a little Pride history lesson as we cover the lives and deaths of two great men that played an integral part in the LGBTQ+ community! As Mayor of San Francisco and ally to the community, George Moscone used his position and privilege to open doors for many who had always been oppressed and under represented. As San Francisco city supervisor, Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to hold an elected position in the U.S. When George had an opportunity to turn the board of city supervisors in their parties favor, former fellow city supervisor, Dan White, claimed to see it as a personal betrayal. Was Dan really just the depressed and desperate man his defense team claimed him to be? Or was Dan quick to react with violence out of a lack of regard to the lives of those different than him? Tune in and decide for yourself as Elysia and Savannah give it their all! The facts, the eww's, the awe's, at least one dad joke, and some tears! 
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
Murder at City Hall: The killing of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk
 
https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Myth-of-the-Twinkie-defense-The-verdict-in-2511152.php
 
https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage?pdmfid=1000516&pddocfullpath=%2Fshared%2Fdocument%2Fcases%2Furn%3AcontentItem%3A3S11-SJR0-003C-R37H-00008-00&pdcontentcomponentid=506037&config=00JAA0NDgwMGE5Mi01ODYxLTRkZDEtODQ0OS1mYmEyN2M3ZmZmZWQKAFBvZENhdGFsb2fyUIbYd2jFgdWUbISiHcjK&ecomp=8sm_k&earg=sr1&prid=00cf44dc-548e-49f8-8e4a-e90060e66e41&crid=2b99cafc-c901-458f-8d3b-711848efdef7
 
https://milkfoundation.org/about/harvey-milk-biography
 
https://cultureofoneworld.org/breaking-news/human-rights/legacy-of-the-late-sf-mayor-george-moscone-haunts-ghost-light/1337/
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Moscone
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_White
 
https://www.history.com/news/what-were-the-white-night-riots
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 

Case Number 42: The Love Has Won Cult

Pack a bag and some snacks as Savannah takes us on a trip across three states! The Love Has Won cult, also known as "Mother God cult," was a controversial spiritual group founded by Amy Carlson, who referred to herself as "Mother God" or "Mother Earth." The cult gained attention for its unconventional beliefs and practices, which were often described as a mix of New Age spirituality, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience. Gasp and "OMG" along with Elysia as we find out how this "loving" group's story ends in death and the arrests of several members. 
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/love-has-won-amy-carlson-mother-god-1254916/amp/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/love-has-won-cult-amy-carlson-b1969246.html
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0r74HYf0TxmPR0r4bj1Bko?si=4OK2H1NNQhSgknObN3TWeA
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 

Case Number 41: Bobby Lee Cutts, Jr., Officer Elbow

Many were shocked when officer Bobby Lee Cutts, Jr. told the FBI that he knew where, his former girlfriend, Jessie Davis, was nine days after she went missing. Others were in disbelief when he claimed her death was accidental. Follow along as Elysia tells Bobby's tale of an amazingly strong elbow thrust that took the life of Jessie and her unborn child. Join in with Savannah's bewilderment as we dissect exactly how a trained police officer fails to follow the law after such an "accident". 
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/ohio/fifth-district-court-of-appeals/2009/2009-ohio-3563.html
 
https://casetext.com/case/cutts-v-smith-1
 
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2007/06/27/suspect-s-life-full-broken/23356961007/
 
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2008/02/cutts_trial_resumes_with_testi.html
 
https://www.cleveland19.com/story/6716896/cutts-wife-files-for-divorce/
 
https://latestinbollywood.com/taylor-giavasis-parents/
 
https://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/02/27/cutts.sentence/index.html
 
https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2017/06/13/bobby-cutts-jr-i-was/20606717007/
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 
 

Case Number 40: Susan Walters, The Woman Who Killed Her Hitman

Susan Walters thought she found her perfect match with her husband, Mike. Unfortunately, it didn't take Mike long to show his true colors. After 17 long years, Susan was ready for her ever after without Mike. Never did she imagine the lengths Mike would go to in an effort to stop her from getting it. Join Savannah and Elysia as they cheer on Susan in this rare bad ass survivor tale! 
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
 
https://casecompanion.multco.us/
                          Susan Walters Comes Face-to-Face with Her Hitman           
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wV_ByXpRbk
https://blurredbylines.com/articles/susan-kuhnhausen-walters-survivor-hitman-portland/
https://www.badassoftheweek.com/kuhnhausen
https://www.wweek.com/news/2016/08/17/a-hit-man-came-to-kill-susan-kuhnhausen-she-survived-he-didnt/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/susan-kuhnhausen
https://apnews.com/article/5b174483777f307a5728f6eb666917d5
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 

Case Number 39: Rod Ferrell, The Vampire Cult Murderer

Take a peek into the world of vampirism as Elysia and Savannah fail miserably at talking about it seriously. Rod Ferrell on the other hand, took it very seriously and grew to believe that he could become immortal by taking life. After murdering Richard and Ruth Wendorf, Rod's vampire family questioned if he did it to become immortal or to save their daughter, Heather, from abuse. Either way, the family too would pay the consequences instead of living out their dream in New Orleans building their vampire "house". 
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
 
Deadly Cults: Vampire Cult Season 1, Episode 1 on Oxygen: True Crime
 
https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/crime/2019/11/30/mother-of-vampire-cult-killer-ive-changed/2172372007/
 
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2006-12-17-wendorf17-story.html
 
https://www.dailycommercial.com/story/news/local/eustis/2020/04/11/vampire-killer-keeps-his-life-sentence/1367922007/
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 
 
 

Case Number 38: Sarah Boone, The Suitcase Sleeper

In today's episode, Savannah brings us a twist on a domestic violence classic. Possibly bored during the pandemic of 2020, known alcoholics Sarah Boone and Jorge Torres, played a tragic game of hide and seek. After zipping Jorge up into a suitcase, Sarah refused to let him out and later claimed she didn't realize he couldn't get out and that she fell asleep only to awaken in the morning to find Jorge unalive. Tune in as Savannah breaks down Sarah's claims and discusses the legal drama leading to a postponed trial while Elysia continues to beg the question why are two 40 something year old people playing dangerous hide and seek!?
 
Join the conversation! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Video Mentioned with Disclaimer:
                          Man Dies While Begging for Help After Girlfriend Allegedly Locked Him in a Suitcase (VIDEO)  
 
Sources:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/woman-boyfriend-suitcase-film-death-b2300624.html
https://www.courttv.com/trending/fl-v-sarah-boone-suitcase-murder-trial/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1u1-i_ubeU
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/southeast/suitcase-murder-trial-postponed/
https://www.courttv.com/news/sarah-boone-accused-in-boyfriends-suitcase-death-pens-letter-to-attorney-and-judge/
https://www.reddit.com/r/CourtTVCases/comments/10h3g0z/correspondence_sarah_boone_to_attorney/
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 
 

Case Number 37: The Kananen Family, Part Two

Tune in for this roller coaster of a second installment on the Kananen family tragedy! Elysia does her best to concisely piece together the most relevant and wild circumstantial facts that the prosecution used against one member of the family in the disappearance of their parents. We know it's a long one, but hold on to your butts and maybe even your ears for Savannah will scream or squeal at every twist and turn! 
 
Let us know your thoughts! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2010-03-12-os-daughter-accused-killing-mom-20100312-story.html
 
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2010/03/04/murder-trial-begins-for-orlando/7311032007/
 
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/12/26/money-seen-as-possible-motive-in-slaying-of-mother/28780967007/
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/supreme-court/1965/1310-0.html
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/12/26/siblings-suspected-after-2nd-parent-missing/bd300901-e286-4fd3-8383-01057eaaad02/
 
https://www.courttv.com/trials/fl-v-kananen-2010/
 
Fear of Our Father by Lisa Bonnice and Stacey M. Kananen
 
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 
 
 
 

Case Number 37: The Kananen Family, Part One

**********WARNING: Child abuse detailed from 18:56 to 30:22**********
 
"You never know what happens behind closed doors" is an understatement when referring to the Kananen family. Join Elysia and Savannah for this tragic story of a family plagued with abuse, lies, resentment, and crime. In this first of two episodes, Elysia details what it was like to be a member of the Kananen family and Savannah roots for love to win! 
 
Let us know your thoughts! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2010-03-12-os-daughter-accused-killing-mom-20100312-story.html
 
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/crime/2010/03/04/murder-trial-begins-for-orlando/7311032007/
 
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2003/12/26/money-seen-as-possible-motive-in-slaying-of-mother/28780967007/
 
https://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/supreme-court/1965/1310-0.html
 
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/12/26/siblings-suspected-after-2nd-parent-missing/bd300901-e286-4fd3-8383-01057eaaad02/
 
https://www.courttv.com/trials/fl-v-kananen-2010/
 
Fear of Our Father by Lisa Bonnice and Stacey M. Kananen
 
 
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 
 
 
 

Case Number 36: Darren Mack, Reno’s Most Wanted

What's not to admire about a Father exercising his rights for the sake of his relationship with his daughter? Murder for one. Attempted murder, two. Lying about your assets, three. The list goes on and on when it comes to Darren Mack! Tune in to get the full list of reasons Savannah and Elysia left this recording session feeling really gross! 
 
Let us know your thoughts! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
 
Sources:
https://kileystruecrime.squarespace.com/kileystruecrimeaddict-blog/the-crimes-of-darren-mack
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/caught-in-the-crossfire-23-02-2007/
https://www.rgj.com/story/news/crime/2016/06/12/10-years-later-reno-judge-reflects-assassination-attempt/85708968/
https://thecinemaholic.com/charla-mack-murder-where-is-darren-mack-now/
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181 

Case Number 35: The Disappearance of Shannon Matthews

****************WARNING: This case involves child victims*****************
 
After 9 year old Shannon failed to return home from school, her mother, Karen Matthews, filed a missing persons report to authorities. One of the largest search parties to ever happen in the UK was conducted. However, it was a tip from a concerned family member of one of the perpetrators that lead detectives in the right direction. Who was responsible for Shannon's disappearance and why would they take only one of the Matthew's children? Detectives believe they find the answers but some still believe there's more to this story. Listen along as Elysia horrifies Savannah with the actions of all the adults involved and a discussion on the importance of sticking to the facts in true crime.
 
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Sources:
Shannon Matthews - The Mother Of All Lies - 2008 - Documentary
 
https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/article/the-kidnapping-of-shannon-matthews
 
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-shannon-timeline/timeline-the-disappearance-of-shannon-matthews-idUKGOR15803820080411
 
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/what-happened-shannon-matthews-mum-23382738
 
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/tv/who-karen-matthews-accomplice-michael-25695597
 
Shannon Matthews - What Happened Next - 2017 - Karen Matthews
 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/shannon-matthews-disappearance-new-doco-reveals-how-mum-kidnapped-her-own-daughter/AIREZNM3LQJJJGW3Y2JFFYNUCY/
 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4210912/Shannon-Matthews.html
 
Missing Shannon's Stepfather Denies Involvement
 
27426msn1530news081204sk.mov
 
Karen Matthews is sentenced to 8 years for kidnap
 
 
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181