297: The Pet Rock: A Fad is Born (An Old Timey Podcast)

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Conrad Roy committed suicide. That much we can all agree on. But did text messages from his long-distance girlfriend, Michelle Carter play a role in his death? And if so, what sort of punishment — if any — should she face? Michelle egged him on. She encouraged him to take his life. But she wasn’t physically at the scene of his death, and she didn’t purchase any of the equipment he used to take his life. At what point are we culpable for our words?  Then Kristin tells us the tragic tale of a family fishing trip gone horribly wrong. In 1912, when Lessie and Percy Dunbar took their two boys fishing in Louisiana, 4-year-old Bobby Dunbar went missing. A search ensued. They captured alligators and split open their guts, hoping to find the young boy’s remains. They even blasted the water with dynamite, thinking it might dislodge his corpse. It was no use. He was gone without a trace. But then, eight months later, Bobby turned up. But was it really Bobby? And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Whose child is this? Lost and found youth claimed by two mothers” The Tacoma Times  “The Ghost of Bobby Dunbar” This American Life “Was he Bobby Dunbar?” Associated Press In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Death By Text: The Case Against Michelle Carter” episode, 48 Hours “Death By Text” by Marin Cogan, thecut.com “Read the text messages at the heart of the Michelle Carter trial” by Nik DeCosta-Klipa, Boston Globe “Michelle Carter found guilty by judge in text message suicide case” by Dan Glaun, masslive.com

6 Jun 20181h 55min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Kristin kicks things off with the story of tenured Rutgers University ethics professor Anna Stubblefield. A few years ago, Anna began working with a physically and mentally disabled man. Thanks to a mostly discredited technique called facilitated communication, Anna uncovered what no other professional had ever considered — that although DJ’s body was disabled, his mind was not. The two eventually fell in love.  But were they really in love? And was DJ’s mind truly functioning at a high level? Did facilitated communication give DJ his voice, or was it Anna talking all along? Then Brandi tells us the story of family annihilator John List. John appeared to have it all — a sprawling mansion, a great job, and a beautiful family. But when John lost his job, he spiraled. Rather than tell his family about their new financial reality, John murdered his wife, his three children, and his mother. John meticulously planned their murders and his escape. He got away with the crimes for 18 years, but John’s luck ran dry when he was featured in an early episode of America’s Most Wanted. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “The Strange Case of Anna Stubblefield” by Daniel Engber, New York Times Magazine “The Strange Case of Anna Stubblefield — Revisited” by Daniel Engber, New York Times Magazine “A Second Chance for Anna Stubblefield,” Slate.com In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “John Emil List” murderpedia.org “1971 Family Killer Breaks Silence” by Austin Goodrich, ABC News “‘America’s Most Wanted’ Helped Track down This Mass Murderer in 1989” by Matt Gilligan “I Know That What Has Been Done Is Wrong” New York Times “Slaying Suspect Saw 2 Choices, Doctor Testifies” by Joseph F. Sullivan, New York Times “Killer of Family Gets 5 Life Terms” Associated Press, Los Angeles Times

30 Mai 20181h 43min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Warning: This is an especially explicit episode. Blame Denver Fenton Allen.  Brandi starts us off with an absolutely insane pre-trial hearing unlike anything you’ve ever heard of. Denver Fenton Allen’s went a little nuts in his pre-trial hearing. He accused everyone of wanting to “suck his dick.” Then, when it was clear things weren’t going his way, he threatened to murder the judge’s family and mastrubate in open court. The judge didn’t handle it well.     Then, who could forget the story of astronaut Lisa Nowak? When Lisa’s astronaut boyfriend Billy dumped her for another woman, she — how do we put this mildly? — didn’t take it well. She loaded up her car with trash bags, a knife, a steel mallet and other fun travel accessories, then drove from Houston to Orlando wearing a diaper. Once she got to Orlando, she attacked Billy’s new girlfriend, Colleen Shipman.  For what it’s worth, Lisa denies wearing the diaper.  And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Astronaut Charged With Attempted Murder,” The New York Times  “Ex-Astronaut Wants Evidence Tossed Out,” Associated Press  “Astronaut Love Triangle: Colleen Shipman Says of 2007 Attack by Romantic Rival, ‘I Thought I “Was Going to Be Okay. But It Was Never Okay After That,’” People Magazine  “Astronaut Love Triangle: Lisa Nowak’s Life 10 Years Later,” People Magazine  Plus, good ol’ wikipedia In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Proctor calls Floyd County Jail death a homicide” by Doug Walker, Rome News-Tribune “Cartersville man charged in Floyd County Jail inmate death” by Doug Walker, Rome News-Tribune “Georgia v. Denver Fenton Allen” transcript of proceedings Fay Frankland “Judge criticized for vulgar courtroom exchange” by Bill Rankin, Atlanta Journal Constitution “Man who gained fame for crude “Rick and Morty” courtroom exchange gets life” by Joshua Rhett Miller, New York Post

23 Mai 20181h 20min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! Teenagers Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold had everything they ever wanted. They were highly intelligent. They came from wealthy families. Life was so great that they felt certain they were above the law. So they decided to test that theory by committing the perfect crime. Turns out they weren’t so smart after all. The pair were quickly questioned in the brutal murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks. Then Brandi tells the story of Jennifer Wilbanks, who disappeared one day while she was out jogging. Her fiance was distraught. Her family panicked. Police began a nationwide search. People were captivated by this story. Poor Jennifer’s lavish 600-guest wedding was right around the corner. Where could she be? And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: An episode of American Experience, “The Perfect Crime” “Leopold and Loeb Trial,” Famous-trials.com In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Vigil for missing woman to replace wedding” CNN “Runaway Bride Back at Home” Associated Press, Fox News “Runaway Bride Is Indicted” by Ariel Hart, New York Times “In Plea Deal, Runaway Bride Gets Probation” by Ariel Hart, New York Times

16 Mai 20181h 42min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! This week, Brandi scares the pants off us with the story of serial killer Dennis Rader, a.k.a., the BTK killer. Over the course of several decades, Rader killed ten people and terrorized his community in Wichita, Kansas. Then, like a true douchebag he gave himself a nickname. He dubbed himself, BTK, which stood for Bind, Torture, Kill. He loved to taunt the police and the media… and that eventually bit him right on the ass. Then, did you know that in 1911, someone stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre? Neither did we.  Kristin lightens the mood with this incredible story about the thief who kept the Mona Lisa hidden in his apartment for nearly two years. French police searched high and low for him. At one point, Pablo Picasso was the prime suspect.  And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: The documentary, “The Missing Piece: Mona Lisa, Her Thief, the True Story” The documentary, “Mona Lisa Robbery – Who Stole Da Vinci’s Painting?”  “When Picasso Went on Trial for Stealing the Mona Lisa,” Artsy.net “The Theft That Made The ‘Mona Lisa’ A Masterpiece,” NPR.org In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Dennis Lynn Rader” murderpedia.org “BTK Victims Speak Out In Hearing” CNN Transcripts “The Floppy Did Me In” by Rebecca J Rosen, The Atlantic

9 Mai 20182h 33min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! This week, Kristin starts us off with a story that begins with the murder of her second cousin and ends with police capturing a serial killer in the making. The murder of sweet, outgoing Alissa Shippert shook Platte City, Missouri. Police were determined to catch her killer, but with most of the evidence washed away by the river and few viable suspects, justice seemed unlikely. Then, several months later, the killer struck again. But this time, the woman survived. And she told police everything she knew. Then Brandi tells the incredible story of Juanita Maxwell, a maid at a Florida motel accused of murdering a 73-year-old woman over a ballpoint pen. Like any good Brandi story, this one has twists and turns, plus an incredibly creepy moment on the witness stand. We guarantee you’ll get goosebumps. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: On the Case with Paula Zahn episode, “River of Sorrow” Probable Cause Statement from The Platte County Landmark.com  “Survivor of would-be serial killer shares horrifying tale,” Fox4  “Gruesome Details Emerge About Missouri Hatchet, Razor Attacks,” CBS St. Louis “Quintin O’Dell pleads guilty in Alissa Shippert murder case,” KMBC 9 News In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “The Other Women” Michael McLeod, Orlando Sentinel “Woman With Two Identities Absolved of Murder” Associated Press, New York Times “The Brutal Crime of Juanita’s Other Half” Birmingham Post “Not Guilty and Finally Moving On” Andrew West, Southwest Florida News-Press

2 Mai 20181h 45min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! When Jim Hildenbrand moved to the Avignon Villas in Olathe, Kansas, he thought he’d found the perfect place to live. But pretty soon, he started butting heads with the neighborhood’s home owners association. Then one day, he did the unthinkable. He installed some unapproved landscaping. What followed was a costly, lengthy legal battle that epitomized first world problems. Be ready to clutch your pearls. But they can’t all be lawsuits about landscaping. This week, Brandi tells about the hunt for Jennifer Jackson’s murderer. Her murder appeared so deeply personal that police quickly zeroed in on Jennifer’s teenage daughter, Noura. But did they catch Jennifer’s actual murderer? And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Olathe man’s war with HOA over landscaping: $400,000 at stake,” the Kansas City Star  “Church deacon’s relative has cancer, but HOA says he can’t park extra car in driveway,” the Kansas City Star  “$400,000 case pitting Olathe man, HOA needs more work, court rules,” the Kansas City Star   In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “My Mother’s Murder” episode, 48 Hours  “She Was Convicted of Killing Her Mother.  Prosecutors Withheld the Evidence That Would Have Freed Her.” by Emily Bazelon, New York Times

25 Apr 20181h 48min

Hate ads? The entire LGTC catalog is available ad-free on Patreon! This week, we discuss video game lawsuits with our special guest, Norman Caruso, the Gaming Historian. How did we get the Gaming Historian on this little dog and pony show? It’s hard to say. It could be that he’s a huge fan of obscure podcasts. … or it could be that he’s Kristin’s husband. What can we say? It’s a gigantic mystery. In this episode, Kristin starts us off with Devin Moore, a teenager who shot two police officers and a 911 dispatcher. When the police finally caught up with him, he said, “Life is like a video game. Everybody’s got to die sometime.” That mindset left a lot of people asking whether violent video games were to blame for his murder spree. Then Norman brings us our only non-violent crime of the day when he tells the fascinating story of Atari Games vs Nintendo. This lawsuit focused on the very first unlicensed games for the Nintendo Entertainment System.  Brandi wraps things up with Daniel Petric, the 16-year-old boy who shot his parents after they took away his copy of Halo 3. His defense attorney said that Daniel’s recent infection made him more susceptible to the game’s violent themes…. But we’re a little skeptical. And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases. In this episode, Kristin pulled from: “The Rise and Fall of Video Gamings Most Vocal Enemy,” Kotaku “Court Rejects Appeal in Alabama Suit Blaming Game for Slayings,” WSFA  “Grand Theft Auto Player Gets Death Penalty,” The Inquirer  “Can a Video Game Lead to Murder?” CBS News  “Driven to Kill?” People Magazine In this episode, Brandi pulled from: “Game Over For Teen Who Killed Mother Over Video Game” by Edecio Martinez, CBS News “17-year-old Accused of Killing Mother Over Halo 3 Video Game May Get Verdict Soon” by Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer “Petric Sentenced to 23 Years To Life: Father Says Son Regrets Shooting Mother Over Halo 3 Video Game” by Jordan Cravens, The Morning Journal In this episode, Norman pulled from: “Game Over” by David Sheff A History of AT Games (http://mcurrent.name/atarihistory/at_games.html) Atari Games Corp v Nintendo http://digital-law-online.info/cases/24PQ2D1015.htm

19 Apr 20181h 58min