Presenting: Direct Appeal Season 2: Ryan Widmer

Ep 270: A woman’s allegation of violence against a powerful man triggered a media storm and high-profile trial but left many with questions about justice. This is the Casandra Ventura story. This episode was a collaboration with Celesia Stanton from "Truer Crime" podcast. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit: https://truercrimepodcast.com Sources for Today's Episode: The biography.org npr.org cnn.com New York Daily News ABC News People.com Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!) Hungry Root - You’re going to love Hungryroot as much as I do – it’s the easiest way to eat healthy. For a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/WAC and use code WAC. TaskRabbit - Book trusted help for home tasks & tackle your to-do list today! Get $15 off your first task at TASKRABBIT.com or on the Taskrabbit app using promo code WAC. Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks to: Celesia Stanton Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Keywords: Sean Diddy Combs, Puff Daddy, Diddy sex trafficking trial, assault allegations, freak off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Aug 1h 7min

Ep 268: Reconsidered: 24 - Sarah Butler Original Airdate: 08/18/20 On the evening of November 22, 2016 college sophomore, Sarah Butler left her home in NJ to meet up with a man she met on the Internet. Nine days later her body was found in a nearby park. Soon after, an online sting operation by Sarah’s family and friends led police to her killer and information on two unsolved murders. Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode: NorthJersey.com NJ12 Washington Post Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Aug 44min

Ep 268: A young backpacker’s disappearance in New Zealand would lead to a massive change in how their media covers violence against women. This is the Grace Millane story. Sources for Today's Episode: • DOCUMENTARY THE LIE • The BBC • NZ Herald • The Standard • blog — We Can't Consent To This • www.lovegrace.co.uk • Aeoteoroa ( Owa-te-aroa) New Zealand Social Work (Journal) Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!) Chewy - Chewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewy.com/women. Minimum purchase required. New customers only. Terms and conditions apply. See site for complete details. Credits: • Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks • Produced by James Varga • Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo • Script Editor, Abigail Belcastro • Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: • Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime • Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. • YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Keywords: backpacking, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Aug 47min

Ep 267: Reconsidered: 23 - Audrey Marie Hilley Original Airdate: 08/04/20 Beginning with a mother’s lies, scams and other much more serious crimes, Audrey Marie Hilley tries to pull off the ultimate con, but her audacious attempt to outsmart everyone would prove to be this “Black Widow’s” ultimate demise. Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode: The LA Times CrimeLibrary.com The Orlando Sentinal Credits: • Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks • Produced by James Varga • Music by Dessert Media Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Aug 43min

Ep 266: A woman’s tragic murder in 1964 became a case study in human psychology and urban life that is still discussed today This is the Kitty Genovese story. Sources for Today's Episode: • NY Times • NY Daily News • The New Yorker • Psychology Today • PBS • The book: Kitty Genovese: The Murder, the Bystanders, the Crime that Changed America by Kevin Cook • The Washington Post Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!) Cash App - For a limited time only, new Cash App customers can use our exclusive code to earn some additional cash. Just download Cash App, use our exclusive referral code FAMILY10 in your profile, send $5 to a friend within 14 days, and you’ll get $10 dropped right into your account. Terms apply. That’s Money. That’s Cash App. Download Cash App Today: https://cash.app As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Shopify - Turn your big business idea into CHA CHING - with Shopify on your side. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/crimewomen Credits: • Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks • Produced by James Varga • Audio Editor, Jose Alfonso • Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro • Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: • Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime • Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. • YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Keywords: bystander effect, apathy, big city Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Aug 48min

Ep 265: Reconsidered: 22 - Nicole Addimando Original Airdate: 07/20/20 On the evening of September 28, 2017, 30-year-old Christoper Grover was shot in the head by his live in girlfriend and mother of his two children, Nicole Addimando. Was this self-defense after years of physical and sexual abuse or was this a cold blooded murder? Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode: westandwithnikki.com The New Yorker The Poughkeepsie Journal Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Aug 40min

Ep 264: This woman’s courage to speak out became the spark in a chain of events that ended in an unthinkable tragedy. This is the Danishka Melina Sibaja Mejia story. Sources for Today's Episode: The Charlotte Observer People.com WBIR.com Law and Crime News Wate 6 News Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!) Tushbaby - Visit Tushbaby.com and start customizing your own carrier. Make sure to use code [CRIMEWOMEN] for 20% your first order. Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Aug 44min

Ep 263: Reconsidered: 21 - Kathleen Zellner Original Airdate: 07/07/20 This is the story of a woman is known for her commitment to fight for justice for those who most of society has given up on. This woman's notorious work in the criminal justice system has shined the spotlight on wrongful convictions in the United States and while her work has enlightened us all, the case that inspired her efforts is one that just might haunt us all. Women & Crime: Reconsidered is where we revisit our episode catalog and bring new insights, behind the scenes or updates. Sources for Today's Episode: Esquire Chicago Tribune Article  Newsweek Dream/Killer documentary Los Angeles Times article Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Aug 47min