Burden of Proof
Burden of Proof is a True Crime Podcast run by two paralegals, who happen to be generations apart! Elysia (Gen X) and Savannah (Gen Z) met at their law firm, and discovered a lifelong bond and mutual love for true crime. Come with them as they tell each other a new case each week, and use their paralegal experience to breakdown the legalities of what happens when the criminals get caught!
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Episodes
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
When Brian Cohee, Jr. showed interest in the morbid at a young age, his parents did what any parents might. They encouraged him to channel that interest into something positive. They hoped it might spark an interest in forensic sciences and lead to a career helping others.
Unfortunately, Brian instead chose to use his knowledge to harm others. In particular, he decided to prey upon someone that he thought wouldn't matter. Someone who wouldn't be missed. He chose Warren Barnes, a local unhoused man who he found sleeping. Brian was wrong though. Warren wasn't less than and he was missed the very next day.
Join us as Savannah shares this disturbing story of how one person's actions can drastically change multiple lives and Elysia shares her frustration at our country's mental health care system.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://www.westernslopenow.com/news/the-people-v-brian-cohee-sentencing-hearing/
https://www.westernslopenow.com/brian-cohee-trial/the-people-vs-brian-cohee-day-2/
https://www.westernslopenow.com/?submit=&s=Brian+Cohee
Watch - Documentary mentioned in episode.
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Putting a twist on the love triangle, Jeff's story is more like a love pentagon, with just as many secrets as the government building. A decade long affair with one of the richest and connected women in area. A love child. Business dealings gone wrong. Jeff Zack was truly living a soap opera life.
So, when he was shot point blank on Father's Day weekend of 2001 at a gas station, detectives had quite a time finding leads on who the shooter could have been. All the eyewitnesses agreed on what description they could give of the clad in black killer and his motorcycle, but that wasn't much to go on. Shockingly, it was the motorcycle that lead to the first big break in the case.
Tune in as Elysia gives you all the sordid details of who was convicted and who else might have been involved while Savannah gets caught up on Attorney Fee Agreements and conflicts of interest.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
Snapped: Killer Couples; Season 12, Episode 10
https://www.crimelibrary.org/notorious_murders/classics/mbb213_jeff_zack/1_index.html
https://murderpedia.org/female.G/g/george-cynthia.htm#google_vignette
https://www.thetangier.com/history
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-ohnd-5_05-cv-01485/pdf/USCOURTS-ohnd-5_05-cv-01485-0.pdf
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2024/03/04/cindy-george-charged-murder-jeffrey-zack-wife-akron-restaurateur-ed-george/72837222007/
https://casetext.com/case/state-v-rohr-george-1
https://clerkweb.summitoh.net/PublicSite/Documents/civy600001C8F.pdf
https://clerkweb.summitoh.net/PublicSite/Documents/civzze70000352C.pdf
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2008/10/judge_approves_wrongfuldeath_s.html
https://www.cleveland.com/news/editors-picks/2008/04/jeff_zack_murder_investigation.html
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2022/12/22/tangier-memories-ed-george-wonders-what-to-do-with-memorabilia/69722420007/
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/03/_ed_george_called_his.html
https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A443498
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
Thursday Mar 28, 2024
***WARNING: This episode is intended for mature (18+) audiences only.***
After Travis Alexander's body is found in his shower five days after he was brutally murdered, everyone was quick to point detectives in the direction of Jodi. Not concerned because she had an alibi, Jodi carried on as any heartbroken friend would and attended Travis' funeral.
Unfortunately for Jodi, detectives were easily able to see the holes in her story and found the evidence she clumsily left behind. Failing to believe a photo lasts forever would be one of her greatest downfalls.
Tune in for the conclusion where Savannah explains why she named the case "The Courtroom None of Us Want to Be In" and Elysia finds the humor in identifying Jodi's body parts but gets very serious when talking about the difference between ending a toxic relationship and an abusive one.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/friends-warned-travis-alexander-jodi-arias-dangerous-months/story?id=68731237
https://allthatsinteresting.com/travis-alexander
https://abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-trial-timeline-events-arizona-murder-case/story?id=18123295
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jodi-arias-a-timeline-of-a-sensational-murder-case/
https://www.reddit.com/r/TravisAndJodi/?f=flair_name%3A%22Timeline%22
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il2iAxpacaw
The-messed-up-truth-about-jodi-arias
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/mesa/arias-trial-timeline-of-events-in-mesa-murder-case/article_4248e012-b822-11e2-8ab9-001a4bcf887a.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/TravisAndJodi/comments/ohmhzg/travis_jodi_timeline_part_11_may_22_2008_june_1/
https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/mesa/arias-trial-timeline-of-events-in-mesa-murder-case/article_4248e012-b822-11e2-8ab9-001a4bcf887a.html
The-jodi-arias-trial-a-deep-dive-into-a-case-that-captivated-the-nation
Story
https://www.reddit.com/r/Documentaries/comments/o6284y/the_jodi_arias_trial_craziest_moments_2021_the/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-trial-judge-declares-mistrial-hung-jury/story?id=29226362
https://apnews.com/general-news-818c4f7be7544d2894c613f8eed810e7#:~:text=They%20asked%20her%20about%20past,bloody%20scene%20at%20Alexander%27s%20home.
https://www.courttv.com/trials/arizona-v-jodi-arias-2013/
https://casetext.com/case/state-v-arias-2008
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
***WARNING: The crimes discussed in this episode include sexual assault, listener discretion is advised***
When Bobby Joe Long's violence towards women escalates, he develops a pattern of picking them up or abducting them from "the strip" in Tampa. Many of them were involved in the sex industry but some of them were just unfortunate enough to live in it's proximity.
Though detectives connected a few of the cases early on, they had no leads as to who the perpetrator was and Bobby was picking up the pace. It was a grave error on his part to let Lisa McVey go. Her incredible ability to remain calm and remember details was his undoing.
Tune in as Elysia gives what details she can about each victim and is happy to leave this horrific story with Lisa's happy ending. Meanwhile, Savannah is mad that Elysia won't tell her Bobby was castrated.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/bobby-joe-long
Bobby Joe Long's Murder Spree in Florida (S1, E3) | Close Encounters With Evil | Full Episode
Young Girl ESCAPES Killer After Abduction (S1, E3) | I Survived a Serial Killer | Full Episode | LMN
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/serial-killer/bobby-joe-long-lisa-mcvey-classified-ad-rapist
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100051411201618
https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/lisa-mcvey-interview
Survivor of Tampa serial killer vows to attend his execution
https://www.fox13news.com/news/escaping-a-serial-killer-im-a-survivor
https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1987/67103-0.html
https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1988/69259-0.html#:~:text=Robert%20Joe%20Long%20appeals%20the,accordance%20with%20a%20jury%20recommendation.
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-supreme-court/1459381.html
https://casetext.com/case/long-v-state-508
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/03/07/florida-court-overturns-two-death-sentences-bobby-joe-long/
https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/serial-killer-bobby-joe-long-challenges-states-lethal-injection-protocol-in-court/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/judge-to-rule-whether-serial-killer-bobby-joe-longs-execution-will-proceed-20190506/#:~:text=Long%2C%2065%2C%20suffers%20from%20temporal,uses%20to%20kill%20the%20condemned.
https://www.wfla.com/news/crime/case-of-bobby-joe-long-notorious-tampa-bay-serial-killer-executed/
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
***WARNING: The crimes discussed in this episode include sexual assault, listener discretion is advised***
After years of abuse, 17 year old Lisa McVey had believed her life would come to an end on November 3, 1984. She never thought that she instead would find the motivation and courage to survive an unimaginable attack that lasted over 24 hours. Shockingly, the perpetrator drove her back to her neighborhood and let her go.
Lisa would later find out just how lucky she was as the man who abducted and held her at gunpoint to assault and rape her was Bobby Joe Long. Previously known as the "Classified Ad Rapist", his violent crimes against women escalated to murder in 1984. Investigators believe he committed more than 50 rapes throughout the south Florida area through the early 1980's and murdered at least 9 women in the Tampa Bay area.
Tune in for Part 1 as Elysia describes the incredible tactics Lisa used to stay alive and the path that Bobby took to serial killer status. Meanwhile, Savannah is stunned to hear Florida is actively working to roll back the child labor laws to what they were back then.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://www.biography.com/crime-figure/bobby-joe-long
Bobby Joe Long's Murder Spree in Florida (S1, E3) | Close Encounters With Evil | Full Episode
Young Girl ESCAPES Killer After Abduction (S1, E3) | I Survived a Serial Killer | Full Episode | LMN
https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/crimefeed/serial-killer/bobby-joe-long-lisa-mcvey-classified-ad-rapist
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100051411201618
https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/lisa-mcvey-interview
Survivor of Tampa serial killer vows to attend his execution
https://www.fox13news.com/news/escaping-a-serial-killer-im-a-survivor
https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1987/67103-0.html
https://law.justia.com/cases/florida/supreme-court/1988/69259-0.html#:~:text=Robert%20Joe%20Long%20appeals%20the,accordance%20with%20a%20jury%20recommendation.
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/fl-supreme-court/1459381.html
https://casetext.com/case/long-v-state-508
https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/03/07/florida-court-overturns-two-death-sentences-bobby-joe-long/
https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/serial-killer-bobby-joe-long-challenges-states-lethal-injection-protocol-in-court/
https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/judge-to-rule-whether-serial-killer-bobby-joe-longs-execution-will-proceed-20190506/#:~:text=Long%2C%2065%2C%20suffers%20from%20temporal,uses%20to%20kill%20the%20condemned.
https://www.wfla.com/news/crime/case-of-bobby-joe-long-notorious-tampa-bay-serial-killer-executed/
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
***WARNING: This episode is intended for mature (18+) audiences only.***
It may not have been kismet that Jodi Arias met Travis Alexander at that Prepaid Legal convention in 2006, but that didn't stop her from believing they were meant to be. Unfortunately, Travis didn't realize Jodi wasn't the "one" until after things had gone too far.
Instead of making a clean break, Travis continued seeing Jodi to fulfill a very specific need while looking for a wife of purity on the side. Despite Jodi's knowledge of this, she continued to grow incredibly possessive of Travis. When his friends finally tell him they will no longer help him continue the toxic relationship, things escalate quickly.
Tune in as Savannah gives us the background on these lovers turned codependents and Elysia stresses about trying not to victim shame while simultaneously recognizing Travis' culpability in this extremely toxic relationship.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/friends-warned-travis-alexander-jodi-arias-dangerous-months/story?id=68731237
https://allthatsinteresting.com/travis-alexander
https://abcnews.go.com/US/jodi-arias-trial-timeline-events-arizona-murder-case/story?id=18123295
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jodi-arias-a-timeline-of-a-sensational-murder-case/
https://www.reddit.com/r/TravisAndJodi/?f=flair_name%3A%22Timeline%22
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
Thursday Feb 22, 2024
First responders found more than they bargained for when Jeff Lamb reported he arrived home to find his wife beaten to death. They also found Cathy's two dogs severely beaten but still alive.
Though the dogs were unable to save her life, they were able to provide detectives with clues as to who the killer was. One thing was for certain, it was not the burglary gone wrong that Jeff proposed it was.
Tune in as Elysia walks through this not planned so well murder and Savannah speculates on the real hard hitting questions like "How does a guy like Jeff get all these women?"
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://www.oxygen.com/killer-relationship-with-faith-jenkins/season-2/episode-10/videos/who-was-cathy-lamb
https://www.oxygen.com/killer-relationship-with-faith-jenkins/season-2/episode-10/videos/cathy-lambs-family-reflects-on
https://www.oxygen.com/killer-relationship-with-faith-jenkins/season-2/videos/a-tooth-discovered-at-cathy-lambs-crime
https://www.oxygen.com/killer-relationship-with-faith-jenkins/crime-news/jeff-lamb-convicted-murder-wife-cathy-lamb
https://www.crimelibrary.org/criminal_mind/forensics/ff312_jeffrey_lamb/1_index.html
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fredericknewspost/name/cathy-lamb-obituary?id=45406678
https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/343490/file/10-1679_JurisIni_ada.pdf
https://fdc.myflorida.com/offenderSearch/detail.aspx?Page=Detail&DCNumber=W19471&TypeSearch=AI
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Thursday Feb 15, 2024
Already facing a financial crisis that would cause life as they know it to cease, the Ward family never anticipated the tragedy to come. A 911 call recorded a dispassionate sounding Bob Ward informing the dispatch that he shot and killed his wife.
Was it a textbook true crime case of a man who's failing finances pushed him to do the unthinkable? Some say yes, but the family says no.
Tune in as Savannah makes her best effort at covering this case unbiasedly and Elysia is left with a lot of questions about investigators alleged activity at the Ward family home.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/murder-trial-millionaire-bob-ward-killed-wife-prosecutors/story?id=14532065
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2018/11/02/former-isleworth-millionaire-convicted-of-killing-wife-fights-for-bond-again/
https://mynews13.com/content/dam/News/static/FL/generic-images/documents/0507_n13_bob_ward_sentencing_defense_filing.pdf
https://myeclerk.myorangeclerk.com/DocView/Doc?eCode=CdmhJQb72jZUEYd5MBwNaQJgqNvxxXLq%2FDa5NbhVGf%2FtkYUlPB1yULw5jIwBnhEobupw%2FzuIQocJy09ddg6ZMPpq%2BqsmvP8vgepmncvwbmp4%2BFivDNflHtOULSGObf%2Fk8Pnc5YmrYkRgtG6GPZLnTA%3D%3D
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
Thursday Feb 08, 2024
After teacher/basketball coach, Jimmy McClain, missed two days of work and no one was able to reach him, a wellness check by police was executed. He was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds. There was no sign of forced entry nor any signs that the home had been burglarized.
It was evident that Jimmy must have known his killer, but the police were forced to investigate in circles when it appeared no one he knew would have motive. After getting side tracked by a scandal involving one of Jimmy's basketball players, detectives finally catch a break on a cell phone data report that leads to a witness with more information.
Tune in as Elysia and Savannah show their lack of knowledge on basketball and question where is Jimmy's scandalous student now. Spoiler... we don't know.
Don't forget to leave us the weekly emoji! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!
Sources:
An Unexpected Killer: Deadly Betrayal, Season 1: Episode 8
https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/court-of-criminal-appeals/2016/w2014-02432-cca-r3-cd.html
https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/former-uca-basketball-star-and-pastor-murdered-in-memphis/91-309093348
https://www.arkansasonline.com/obituaries/2013/feb/28/jimmy-mcclain-2013-02-28/
https://foil.app.tn.gov/foil/details.jsp
https://www.wsmv.com/2022/05/13/news4-investigates-mothers-call-improved-medical-care-incarcerated-loved-ones/
https://uca.edu/news/jimmy-fitzgerald-mcclain-scholarship-fund-established/
https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1618/index.aspx?sid=1618&gid=1&pgid=1204&cid=2173&paymenttype=perpetualonly
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
Thursday Feb 01, 2024
********WARNING: This case contains details of sexual assault********
Best friends, Liz Reiser and Brandi Hicks, had put a girls movie night into motion when they were interrupted at the local Hollywood Video. Approached by an older man asking for a ride just a mile up the road so he could get home to say good night to his wife and kids, the teen girls debated on whether to help. Ultimately, they agreed that as long as they were together, it would be safe enough.
Unfortunately, this was anything but true. The mile turned into a drive into the next town and though he was in fact a husband and father, his intention was definitely not to get home.
Tune in as Savannah gives the account of both the investigation and the survivor. Meanwhile, Elysia remains confused by the entire event, especially the man's audacity.
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Sources:
Teen 'played dead' while being thrown off bridge ...Daily Starhttps://www.dailystar.co.uk › News › World News › Crime
The Murder Of Elizabeth Riser & The Attempted ... - YouTubeYouTube · Morbid A True Crime Podcast11K+ views · 7 months ago
Brandi/Joseph/Sam and SuzanneIMDbhttps://www.imdb.com › title
The Murder of Elizabeth Reiser — and How Her Best Friend ...Medium · Verity Partington620+ likes · 2 years
agohttps://open.spotify.com/episode/0DWLNdLfU2T2fiS0fGL76i?si=VLcSExKnSNSyF--JW_p6rg
Brandi Hicks Now: Where is Elizabeth Reiser's Friend ...The Cinemaholichttps://thecinemaholic.com › where-is-brandi-hicks-now
Graphic Art By: Taylor Poe
Music By:
https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181