Disorder in the Court: Ellie Nesler

From the horrors of Cambodia’s Killing Fields to the bright lights of Hollywood, Haing S. Ngor’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and tragic injustice. After escaping the Cambodian genocide, he defied the odds and won an Academy Award for his powerful performance in The Killing Fields. But his story didn’t end with cinematic triumph—it took a heartbreaking turn that remains shrouded in mystery. In this episode, we explore Ngor’s remarkable life, his haunting past, and the crime that cut his story short.   📚 Resources 📖 A Cambodian Odyssey by Haing S. Ngor & Roger Warner 📖 Survival in the Killing Fields by Haing S. Ngor 🎥 The Killing Fields (1984) – Directed by Roland Joffé, starring Haing S. Ngor, Sam Waterston, and John Malkovich 📽️ The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor (2015) – Documentary by Arthur Dong (Deep Focus Productions) 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime Stories! #Genocide #Cambodia #VietnamWar #Refugees #HollywoodCrime #TrueCrime #HaingSNgorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Feb 201830min

Roman Polanski’s life reads like a Hollywood script—marked by unimaginable tragedy, artistic triumph, and shocking scandal. Surviving the Holocaust and enduring personal heartbreak, he rose to fame as an acclaimed director. But his legacy was forever tainted when he became a fugitive from justice, charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl. In this episode, I’m joined by special guest AJ Benza, host of Fame is a Bitch, to discuss the dark side of Hollywood, the power of celebrity, and his personal impressions of Polanski. 📚 Resources & References: 📖 The Celebrity Defense: Sex, Fame, and the Case of Roman Polanski – Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker (Dec 14, 2009) 📖 Why Did Roman Polanski Risk It? – Christopher Sandford, The Telegraph UK (Oct 3, 2009) 📖 Roman Polanski is a Child Rapist: It’s Long Past Time for Hollywood to Cast Him Out – Marlow Stern, The Daily Beast (Oct 23, 2017) 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime Deep Dives! #HollywoodCrimes #CharlesManson #CelebrityCrime #TrueCrime #RomanPolanskiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

13 Feb 201852min

The Academy Awards celebrate Hollywood’s finest, but some Oscar-winning films are rooted in real-life crime. One of the most unforgettable is Dog Day Afternoon—a gripping portrayal of a chaotic New York bank robbery that stunned the nation. But what really happened? In this episode, we uncover the true story of John Wojtowicz, the man behind the infamous Chase Manhattan Bank heist that inspired the film. From his motives to the shocking aftermath, we separate fact from fiction in this stranger-than-Hollywood tale. 📚 Resources 🎥 Dog Day Afternoon (1975) – Starring Al Pacino, John Cazale & Charles Durning 📽️ The Dog (2014) – Documentary by Alison Berg & Frank Keraudren 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime Stories! #BankRobberies #JohnWojtowicz #ChaseManhattanBank #NewYorkCrimes #TrueCrime #HollywoodCrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Feb 201840min

In 1978, a teenage hitchhiker accepted a ride in Northern California—only to be brutally attacked by a violent predator. The assault on Mary Vincent was so horrifying it sent shockwaves through the public, and her attacker, Lawrence Singleton, became a chilling warning about the dangers of accepting rides from strangers. But against all odds, Mary survived—and her story of resilience is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.   🎵 Music Featured: 🎼 By St. Patrick – Available for purchase on iTunes or at www.captainfathands.com Resources  📖 Mary Vincent Speaks Out: ‘He Destroyed Everything About Me’ – Paul Dean, The Los Angeles Times (Feb 25, 1997) 📖 People v. Singleton – Court of Appeals Decision, Fourth District, Div I, California (Nov 20, 1980) 📺 I Survived (2009) – Episode featuring Mary Vincent’s harrowing story 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime Stories! #TrueCrime #MaryVincent #HitchhikerSafety #SurvivalStory #Justice #LawrenceSingletonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30 Jan 201840min

In 1983, a woman desperately sought protection from her abusive husband, repeatedly turning to law enforcement for help—only to be ignored. What followed was one of the most brutal cases of domestic violence ever recorded. Tracy Thurman survived a vicious attack that left her with 13 stab wounds and a broken neck. But she didn’t stop there—she took on the system that failed her, filing a groundbreaking lawsuit that would forever change the way police handle domestic violence cases in the U.S. 📚 Resources & References: 📖 A Cry for Help – Patricia Brennan, The Washington Post (Oct 1, 1989) 📖 Thurman v. City of Torrington – Ruling on Motion to Dismiss, Retrieved from Harvard.edu (Oct 23, 1984) 📖 She Survived Thirteen Stab Wounds, a Broken Neck – Republican-American (Jun 9, 2008) 🔗 Support the show on Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime #DomesticViolence #TracyThurman #TrueCrime #Justice #Survivor #OnceUponACrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Jan 201826min

In 1974, a young woman in Salt Lake City accepted a ride from a seemingly nice man. By the end of the day, she would come face-to-face with one of the most notorious serial killers of all time—Ted Bundy. Against all odds, Rhonda Stapley survived his brutal attack and lived to tell her harrowing story. My special guest, Rhonda Stapley, is the author of I Survived Ted Bundy: The Attack, Escape, and PTSD That Changed My Life. She shares her firsthand experience, the lasting impact of trauma, and her journey toward healing. 📚 Resources & References: 📖 I Survived Ted Bundy by Rhonda Stapley – Available on Amazon 📘 Connect with Rhonda Stapley on Facebook 🆘 For PTSD support and resources, visit www.ptsd.va.gov 🔗 Follow & Subscribe for More True Crime Stories! #TedBundy #SerialKillers #SurvivorStory #TrueCrime #PTSD #RhondaStapleySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Jan 20181h 13min

In 2006, 14-year-old Elizabeth Shoaf was walking home from school in Lugoff, South Carolina, when she was approached by a man posing as law enforcement. What followed was a terrifying 10-day ordeal—trapped in an underground bunker, subjected to unimaginable abuse, and forced to fight for survival. But Elizabeth did something extraordinary: she outsmarted her captor and helped lead authorities right to his doorstep. This is the harrowing true story of how a young girl’s resilience turned the tables on a predator—and how her bravery saved her own life. 📚 Resources & References: 📺 Surviving Evil: Underground Terror – Sarah Beckett, Investigation Discovery Channel (2013) 📰 Kidnapped Teen Describes Bunker Ordeal – Mike Celizic, Today (Mar 7, 2008) 🔗 Stay Connected: 🐦 Twitter: @uponacrime 📸 Facebook & Instagram: @onceuponacrimepod 💖 Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime #ElizabethShoaf #TrueCrime #ChildAbduction #SurvivorStory #OnceUponACrime  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

9 Jan 201842min

I continue my discussion of the Laci Peterson case with my guest co-host, Yolanda from Not Perfect or Functional. Together, we take a deep dive into the background and psychology of Scott Peterson and examine the factors that may have contributed to his crime. Plus, enjoy special holiday greetings from some of our favorite true crime and paranormal podcasts: 🎄 The True Crime Guys 🎄 The Fall Line 🎄 Hillbilly Horror Stories 🎄 Not Perfect or Functional Wishing all our listeners a safe and happy holiday season! 💬 Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts and theories with us on social media or in the comments! 📌 Support the Show: If you enjoy our content, please consider leaving a review and following us for more deep dives into true crime cases.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Des 20171h 15min