Episode 312

Timothy Wesley McCorquodale had a rage in him that was uncontrollable. Like a loose cannon he could go off at any minute, unleashing mayhem an any poor unsuspecting soul that happened to cross him. The horror he would subject 17-year-old Donna Marie Dixon to in 1974, is unfathomable to this day. This week, we are joined once again by Jason Lucky Morrow, author and webmaster from the popular true-crime site HistoricalCrimeDetective.com to discuss this disturbing case from the past. We also take a virtual tour of Washington DC's Crime Museum, formerly known as the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, with it's Chief Operating Officer Janine Vaccarello. This is a unique exhibit, sure to be of interest to Sword and Scale fans.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

25 Jan 201552min

What happens when you run out of luck? You lose your job, your marriage, your home, your arms and legs, the respect of your parents, and your will to live, what happens then? If you've ever lived on planet Earth, then the answer is obvious, this is where desperation takes over and horrible things happen. This week we present the sad story of Sean Petrozzino, a mild mannered "great kid" that grew up into a world of bad luck and it ended up consuming him and making him a true monster. After killing the two people who loved him most he led authorities on an 8-day manhunt that would end tragically. We also briefly cover the case of Angela Simpson, a convicted psychopath who loves her status and wants to tell you about it. The audio of her interview is chilling and will question your ideas about whether some of us are worth trying to reform. Then we talk to Cathy Russon from CourtChatter.tv who fills us in on the status of the Oscar Pistorious and Justin Ross Harris cases, and also fills us in on the biggest high-profile case(s) of 2015, that of the Aaron Hernandez murder trials. Apparently, we'll be seeing two separate trials, one for murder, and one for double murder. It's going to be a hell of a show.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

18 Jan 20151h 4min

Probably the most horrific murder publicly accessible though a variety of social media, the death of Lin Jun was a public execution for all to see. The culprit was a narcissistic psychopath named Luka Magnotta, and the terror he would unleash upon the world would reach out like evil tentacles across nations, cultures, and ages through the free-flowing highway of information we call the Internet. Magnotta's evil wasn't limited to humanity, he also tortured animals. The kind of animals that are so adorable, innocent, and unable to defend themselves that it literablly makes you sink to even think about it. But Magnotta wanted fame, so he wasn't content with having you think about it. He wanted you to see it, as many did, including young children who will undoubtedly be scarred for the rest of their lives.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

11 Jan 201558min

One of the more bizarre stories of our lifetime, the story of Luka Magnotta is wrought with remorseful refrains and awkward pauses. This is a man, who was so narcissistic that there would be nothing to stand between him and what he wanted in life... fame. Had he been "normal" his goals might have been awe-inspiring, but Luka was the worst type of person, a psychopathic narcissist, and he would flaunt it in the nose of the good people of the world. The hell he would unleash online is something that would bring many to tears. He would find a way to reach fame, or infamy, one way or another. Whether it be adult films or the slaughter of animals, Luka was destined for stardom. Unfortunately for the Chinese International Student Jun Lin, who would eventually become a victim of his madness, Magnotta would find the International spotlight he was looking for. His crime, would be one so brutal and so bizarre that it would prompt Canada's largest International manhunt, but would they ever catch this killer, who was a virtual phantom, before it was too late?Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

4 Jan 20151h 3min

In this season finale of Sword and Scale, we bring back many of the guests we've spoken to over the last year and ask them a fundamental question that relates to the nature of crime: "Is humanity inherently good or evil?" The answer comes from many different perspectives. They are victims, convicts, authors, podcasters, psychologists and neurologists. Their answers open a discussion into the nature of these abstract concepts and will leave you asking what you yourself believe. Thanks to all those who have taken part in Sword and Scale's success and we wish you a wonderful holiday season. See you next year!Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

8 Des 20141h 6min

There are 2.2 million schizophrenics in the United States. You have a one in a hundred chance of encountering one on any given day. Most are non-violent people struggling with what can sometimes be a debilitating disease, but every now and then the voices in their head can lead a handful of them down a path from which there is no return. For the rest of us, no knowing if the person next to you is capable of murdering and dismembering you at any given moment can be utterly terrifying. This week we tell you the story of three people who were minding their own business, going about their day either taking a trip, going to work, or just relaxing at home after a long day. Each of these people have one thing in common: they all became victims unexpectedly to a case of the severe mental illness of another, as well as a flawed healthcare system that fails to treat and help these people. In this episode we discuss the cases of Vince Weiguang Li, Alton Nolen and Derek Ward. All three of these men decapitated their victims, with a complete lack of empathy or mercy, while undergoing a severe psychotic episode. The brutality of their attacks are unimaginable and terrifying. If these stories don't give you nightmares, you should seek counseling yourself.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

24 Nov 20141h

The story of Herman Webster Mudgett, otherwise known as H.H. Holmes, has been told numerous times: a brilliant man with so much potential but so inherently evil that his actions would require new words be created to describe the monster that he was. The depravity of someone who would construct a building solely for the purpose of torture, murder, and the "processing" of human bodies for profit, is unimaginable. Although it has inspired numerous books and movies, many people who are not avid true crime fans, have never heard this story. Even if you have heard this story, you'll want to listen to this episode, because we've uncovered an even bigger story which is downright fascinating... Was H.H. Holmes the true identity of Jack the Ripper? We talk to two men who say they know this is a fact, and have spent years trying to prove it. We are joined by Dane Ladwig author of the book "Dr. H. H. Holmes and The Whitechapel Ripper" and Jeff Mudgett author of the book "Bloodstains". Jeff's last name is no coincidence, he claims to be the great-great-grandson of the protagonist in this story, Herman Mudgett, otherwise known as H.H. Holmes.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

9 Nov 20141h 39min

The term "bluebeard" conveys images of pirates sailing the high seas, but the actual meaning of this term is much darker and there are examples of it all around us. You see, a "bluebeard" is a man that murders his wife. The term is derived from a French folktale dating back to the 1600's, making this horrible idea not a new one. The fact that this term isn't commonly used in North America is curious, since its female counterpart "black widow" is widely known worldwide. In this episode of Sword and Scale we examine some Bluebeard cases which you probably haven't heard about, including some recent ones that have shocked us in their pointlessness and brutality. But beware... After listening, you may never look at your husband the same way again.Get instant access to all episodes, including premium unreleased episodes, commercial-free at swordandscale.com

20 Okt 201454min