Drew Peterson: New Bid for Freedom?

Breaking crime news as it happens throughout the day! Follow "Crime Alert Hourly Update" now on your favorite podcast app: https://link.chtbl.com/Crime_Alert Here's some of our top stories this week: Philadelphia police and family members are asking for the public's help in locating a young woman who disappeared after leaving her overnight job at an assisted living facility. Suspect arrested in January's Palisades fire. A Texas woman was convicted and sentenced this week for the murder of her diabetic husband in 2023 by neglect as he suffered from an insulin overdose. A former Idaho pastor accused of using his church role to traffic and sexually abuse women is out on bond as his next court date nears Stay informed, stay safe, and stay ahead with "Crime Alert Hourly Update.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Okt 12min

The lead up to James Craig’s trial was bizarre.....two postponements, three different attorney teams, five added charges and a crazy action from an attorney, who allegedly set his own house on fire. Still, the Aurora dentist’s trial began and ended after jurors heard from four mistresses who said James Craig told them his marriage was over, but a divorce would break him financially. Crag faced six felony counts: Murder in the first degree Two counts of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence Three counts of solicitation to commit perjury in the first degree Court Documents show Craig, jailed on a murder charge of his wife, Angela Craig, still allegedly worked to convince inmates, a former mistress and even one of his own children to tamper with evidence, to plant it to make it look like Angela Craig wanted to kill herself. Prosecutors say James Craig even made a botched murder-for-hire attempt on the case’s lead detective just before a second attempt at trial last year. Craig allegedly offered people cash and dental work in return for a coverup . Craig insists he ordered poison because she asked him to. James Craig and his wife Angela were married for over 20 years. They created a beautiful family of six, loving, happy family, happy children. Between work and taking care of their children, the Craigs still manage to fit a workout into their daily routine. The husband and wife go for a run or hit the gym together almost every day, and when they return home, James Craig makes protein shakes or fruit smoothies for breakfast while Angela delves into getting the kids ready for the day. Angela complains of having a really nasty headache, along with problems focusing her eyesight. She goes to the hospital saying she felt tingly and cold. Doctors cannot figure out what's wrong with her. Angela goes to the hospital multiple times, only to be sent home. When she goes back for a third time, that's when she's checked in and her condition deteriorates, coding quickly. Angela passes away. One of Summer Brooks’ dental assistants recalls opening a package for Dr. Craig—that had potassium cyanide in it. She googles the symptoms of cyanide poisoning, and is horrified at how closely they match Angela’s symptoms. She immediately calls Craig’s partner, Ryan Redfearn, hoping he has some other explanation for the contents of the package...but he doesn’t. While visiting Angela, Redfearn tells a nurse about the cyanide, explaining there’s no medical use for the element in their practice. As a mandatory reporter, the nurse calls police. With suspicions raised, Angela Craig is sent for an autopsy with additional toxicology screening. Tests reveal the otherwise healthy mom of six died of poisoning from both cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, a common ingredient in eyedrops. While investigators have no definitive evidence Angela’s food and drinks were poisoned with cyanide, the tests reveal her cyanide levels increased while she was in the hospital. Police then check Craig's computer finding strange searches. One of them was how to poison someone, how to make poison and top five or top 10 undetectable poisons that people won't be able to find after someone has died and will not signal foul play. Less than 24 hours after his wife’s death, dentist James Toliver Craig is arrested for Angela’s murder and additionally charged with tampering with evidence. A 52-page arrest affidavit details Craig’s concerning computer searches, three poison orders, an ongoing affair, and proof Craig took several measures to cover his tracks. Police then learn the dentist allegedly tried to hire his cellmate to kill Aurora PD’s lead detective Bobbi Jo Olson for $20,000. Calling Olson the “worst, dirtiest detective,” James Craig tried to recruit Nathaniel Harris to take her out for cash or free dental work. Olson wasn’t the only person on his list. Craig also asked Harris to kill another Aurora PD officer and two inmates ‘Roger’ and ‘Tommy.’ Now the details of Craig's "sugar dating life" revealed. Joining Nancy Grace today: Eric Faddis - Trial Lawyer and TV Legal Analyst, Founding Partner of Varner Faddis Elite Legal, former felony prosecutor and current criminal defense and civil litigation attorney Dr. Shavaun Scott - Psychotherapist, Author of “The Minds of Mass Killers: Understanding and Interrupting the Pathway to Violence” Fil Waters - Former homicide detective for the Houston police department, President & CEO of Kindred spirits Investigations & Security, Inc., kindredspiritsinvestigations.com Dr Ernest Chiodo - Attorney, Physician, Biomedical Engineer, Toxicologist, Author: “Toxic Tort: Medical and Legal Elements”, www.ernestpchiodo.com Steffan Tubbs - Host: 'Arsenic, DDS - The Bizarre Case of Dr. James Craig'; Former patient of James Craig See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Okt 55min

Kjersten Strang is a devoted mom to a young son, and her social media pages show it. During a bike ride she was struck from behind by the driver of a Nissan Altima, Xavier Rigby. Without warning, Rigby slams Kjersten from behind, throwing the 38-year-old mother into the air. The force knocked her into the windshield of Rigby's car, trapping her. Rigby does not stop; he continues driving for a mile, to a nearby liquor store. Police on the scene report Rigby shows multiple signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, stumbling, and slurred speech. Rigby also refuses the roadside sobriety test, so police immediately arrest him and haul him off to the Pinellas County Jail. Police charge Rigby with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide leaving the scene, and DUI manslaughter. More shocking details surface after Rigby's arrest, unveiling his previous extensive criminal driving record that includes a previous hit-and-run with DUI charges as well. Joining Nancy Grace today: Lisa Miller - Mother of Samantha Miller, who was killed by a drunk driver on the day of her wedding, April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina Joseph Low - Trial attorney and Founder of the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, one of the few attorneys who practice in military, state and federal courts. Former U.S. Marine. Website: attorney4people.com, Instagram: josephlowesq Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Sheryl McCollum - Cold Case Investigative Research Institute Founder, Host of podcast: Zone 7, X: @149zone7 Kimberly Cockrell - Victim Services Manager at Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Website: MADD.ORG FB: Mothers Against Drunk Driving Insta: @maddnational Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), NEW Podcast "Mayhem in the morgue" launching soon, Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Sarina Fazan - Four-time Emmy Award-winning TV Anchor & Reporter; Podcast: "On The Record with Sarina Fazan;" YouTube: Sarina Fazan TV Dave Mack - Crime Stories Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Okt 45min

A Texas woman was convicted and sentenced this week for the murder of her diabetic husband in 2023 by neglect as he suffered from an insulin overdose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Okt 6min

An arrest was made in the arson fire that burned down the Palisades earlier this year, killing 12 people, destroying more than 6,800 structures, both homes and businesses, and damaging over 1,000 more buildings. After dropping off an Uber passenger in Pacific Palisades, 29-year-old Jonathan Rinderknech parked his car and tried but failed to contact a former friend. He gets out of the car, walks up a nearby trail, takes iPhone videos, and listens to a rap song. Its music video includes objects being lit on fire. Then, twelve minutes into the new year, a fire is started. With weak cell service, Rinderknecht walks back down the trail, continually calling 911 until he finally connects, only to find out other residents already reported the fire. As Rinderknecht drives away, he passes firefighters and turns back to watch them on the scene. He records while firefighters quickly extinguish the blaze, or so they thought. The dense underbrush makes it difficult to see, and the roots underground continue to smolder. A week after the 911 calls reporting the Lachman fire, the Santa Ana Winds create an explosion of deadly fire, spreading the remains of the Lachman fire across LA, freshly named the Palisades fire. Investigators question Rinderknecht as he repeatedly called 911 about the January 1st fire. During those calls, Rinderknecht asked ChatGPT, "Are you at fault if a fire is lit because of your cigarettes?" Rinderknecht gives conflicting statements about whether he smoked near the trail that night and where he was when he called. Rinderknecht claims he was at the bottom of the trail, but location data shows while speaking with 911, he’s just 30 feet from the fire’s origin. Ultimately, Rinderknecht is charged. Joining Nancy Grace today: Stephanie Lydecker - Executive Producer & Host of True Crime Tonight; Founder & CEO of KT-Studios.com Alexandra Pfeifer - Victim Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker," and featured in hit show "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive Dina Doll - Attorney, Trial Consultant, Mediator & Legal Analyst, Doll Amir Eley, LLP Moses Castillo - Private Investigator for the Dordulian Law Group, Former Supervisor Detective from The Los Angeles Police Department Nicholle Brock - Firefighter, EMT, and Arson Expert Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University) Shannon Butler - Investigative Reporter at WFTV Channel 9, Florida Sydney Sumner - Investigative Reporter, 'Crime Stories' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Okt 44min

A suspect is exposed by a victim's cell phone; she reordered her own death and the man behind it. Officials found the footage after arriving to a double homicide. A biotech boss's deadly deception will land him behind bars. He ordered a hitman when a rival said he'd squeal over his bogus multi-million-dollar deal. Plus, a scary, but delicious lawsuit is settled! Jennifer Gould reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Okt 6min

Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, came to the United States with her family to escape her war-torn country for a better life. Iryna took English classes, had a job and was making a productive life for herself, but all her aspirations were cut short by an unprovoked violent attack from a man with a criminal history. Video shows Iryna getting on the train in Charlotte North Carolina, taking a seat and looking at her phone quietly. Video shows a passenger sitting directly behind Iryna, who we later came to know as Carlos Brown Jr. A close-up of Brown's hands can be seen opening and unfolding the knife in order to prepare to stand up to stab Iryna. Although Iryna's hat covers a lot of her face, the shock in her eyes, along with the terror she silently expressed during her final moments of life, bleeding out, surrounded by panic is heartbreaking to watch. Video also shows Brown, in an orange hoodie, walking the aisles of the train with blood dripping on the floor. One passenger notices blood drops and avoids stepping in it, while another witness on the phone with 911 tells them a man just stabbed a woman for no reason and she needs help. Moments after allegedly stabbing Iryna, Brown is captured on video non-chalantly walking the platform of the train station. On the train, Brown was wearing a hoodie, now he is wearing a black t-shirt, with the now bloody hoody, wrapped around his hands. In reaction to the shocking and violent death of Iryna Zarutska, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein just signed "Iryna's Law" into effect increasing checks on criminals getting out on bail and prohibits cashless bail for some violent crimes and most repeat offender. A Grand jury indicted Brown for murder of Iryna formally charging him with first-degree murder. Brown is being held without bond in the County jail, but an order was filed for him to be committed to Central Regional Hospital. Allegedly he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and also has a lengthy rap sheet of criminal behavior. Joining Nancy Grace today, Randy Kessler - Atlanta Trial Lawyer, Emory Law School Professor, Past Chair ABA Family Law Section, Author: "Divorce, Protect Yourself, Your Kids and Your Future", www.KSFamilyLaw.com, Instagram: @rkessler23, Twitter: @GADivorce Caryn Stark - Forensic Psychologist, renowned TV and Radio trauma expert and consultant, www.carynstark.com, Instagram: carynpsych, FB: Caryn Stark Private Practice Andy Kahan - Director of Victim Services and Advocacy at Crime Stoppers of Houston, crime-stoppers.org Ron Bateman - Former homicide detective, former undercover narcotics agent, former sheriff. Author crime fiction series, “Silent Blue Tears”, and now soon to be released his newest book with Billy Joe Nichols, “opposing sides, memoirs of a drug dealer and a detective”, Website: Ronbatemanbooks.com , TikTok: @Ron.Bateman.655 Dr. Thomas Coyne - Chief Medical Examiner, District 2 Medical Examiner's Office, State of Florida; Forensic Pathologist, Toxicologist, Neuropathologist; X: @DrTMCoyne Susan Hendricks - Journalist, Author: “Down the Hill: My Descent into the Double Murder in Delphi", IG @susan_hendricks X @SusanHendicks Dave Mack - Crime Stories, Investigative Reporter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Okt 56min