Varnamtown

In a jam-packed episode, the panel drinks the hater-aid as they read some of their correspondence. Rebecca name drops her fill-in gig on Slate's "Mom & Dad Are Fighting" podcast - which, ironically, is what the Lavoie-Flynn kids call "Crime Writers On!"A figure from Serial Season 2 makes a cameo, a certain general who made the adamant assertion that any soldier wounded in Afghanistan can be linked to Bowe Bergdahl's rescue mission. And, after waiting almost 40 years for a conviction, the crime writers take a thoughtful dive into the famous Etan Patz kidnapping case. It was more than just the crime that put kids' faces on milk cartons - it was the social turning point in how parents perceived the safety of their children.In our review segment, the crew goes around the horn on whether or not you should check out the Israeli documentary "Shadow of Truth," now available on Netflix. This four-part subtitled mini-series looks at the sensational murder of a teenage girl, the questionable investigation into the convicted killer, and the rabid public fanbase that trolls the Internet seeking alternative suspects. (Kind of sounds like a certain American podcast we've listened to...)Then, in the Crime of the Week, the cops give a fugitive a tumble...and a spin.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

17 Feb 20171h 6min

The panel tackles a HUGE true crime update - the Alford plea taken by Michael Peterson, the novelist and suspected murder featured in The Staircase - a documentary Rebecca contends is the Citizen Kane of true crime. As a bonus, our very own Legal Siri (AKA legal professor and Undisclosed genius Colin Miller) educates us on WTH Alford pleas actually are. Then the Crime Writers argue about an alternative theory posed in the Peterson case...was his wife Kathleen actually killed by an owl? That was the theory posed in the amazing pilot episode of the podcast Criminal - but Toby's not exactly buying it. (Shocking, we know.)Then, in our regular segment about whether you should watch/listen to/read the latest big thing in crime media, we review Stranglers, the podcast by Earwolf that takes a deep ol' dive into the Boston Strangler case. (Warning: This segment features a quasi-mansplain meltdown and Kevin Flynn doing a pretty convincing trashy Boston accent.)Finally, our Crime of the Week features one of Rebecca's favorite big box stores, a sex crime, and scabies.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

11 Feb 20171h 1min

The first Serial spinoff, "S-town," will be dropping in March. And we do mean "dropping." Serial Productions says it will release all of its episodes at once...making it one of the first major podcasts to invite fans to binge listen. Will you listen? Of course you will. And so will we.Rebecca brings in reporter Jason Moon to discuss the decade's old case of four unidentified bodies found in two barrels in Allenstown NH's Bear Brook Park. A seemingly unrelated murder on the other side of the country may have revealed a serial killer...but no one knows who he actually is.Then the panel goes into the scary, provocative HBO documentary, "Beware the Slenderman." It looks at the case of two young girls who stabbed their friend to appease a modern-day internet boogeyman. So, should you watch the movie?? The panel is split but agrees on one thing: don't watch this one in the dark.Then in Crime of the Week, the only way to foil high-tech crooks is to go old school.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

4 Feb 20171h 18min

Pardon us. Please. We're looking into the latest twist in the court martial of Serial season two protagonist Bowe Bergdahl. We're joined by friend-of-the-show USMC Judge Advocate James Weirick (ret), host of the Military Justice podcast. Now that former-President Obama declined to pardon Bergdahl, his lawyers say he can't get a fair trial with President Trump as Commander-in-Chief. Weirick will explain the arguments in the docket, why they submitted a video presentation, and he'll also provide some insight into the clemency granted to Pvt. Chelsea Manning. Also, Lara gives a quick review of the new true crime podcast, Gone at 21. One of her positives: "it's short."Then we'll talk about a documentary premiering on PBS's Independent Lens, "The Witness" (also available on Netflix). It reexamines the infamous 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese, the NY woman killed as 38 neighbors alleg edly watched but did nothing. Fifty years later Kitty's brother, Bill, digs into a crime he (and we) don't really know the truth about...including the myth that so many bystanders did nothing. And in the Crime of the Week, one Florida man makes a big mistake when seeking his own presidential pardon.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

28 Jan 20171h 4min

Toby's back...just in time to weigh in on the newest true crime podcast fill our ears.But first - the state of Maryland has won the latest round in Adnan Syed's quest to get out of prison now that his conviction has been overturned. What does it mean that they've been granted a "Leave to Appeal" and how much closer are we to a new trial for the Serial season one protagonist? Then, we talk about something a little bit weird that happened during the latest episode of one of our favorite podcasters, Amber Hunt of the Cincinnati Enquirer's Accused podcast.Then we'll get into "Suspect Convictions," and break down what's good, not good, and controversial (among the panel) about this true crime podcast from WVIK.In the Crime of the Week, we're getting frisky in the Granite State - and it's got some goopy consequences!  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

21 Jan 20171h 13min

When Toby's away, the mice will play...AND talk about all sorts of great stuff.Special guest panelist Amelia McDonnell-Parry gives us a lowdown on what she saw at Adnan Syed's PCR hearing, and why she thinks Sarah Koenig isn't doing the right thing by ignoring new evidence dug up by other podcasters.Plus, our true crime update takes on that $750 MILLION dollar lawsuit filed by Burke Ramsey after a CBS special pointed to him as the murderer of his sister, JonBenet. The panel has some strong feelings about that.And then, Scientology doesn't freak Kevin out, but talking about it does. Nonetheless, we give an overview of the incredible docuseries created by Queen of Queens (and Queen of Nails) Leah Remini, A&E's Scientology & the Aftermath.After our crime of the week airs, one upstate New York man may try to buy every copy of this podcast For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

14 Jan 20171h 15min

After a holiday break, we're back. And so much has happened again. In the land of true crime podcast updates, Adnan Syed has been denied bail while he awaits a new trial. The panel talks about that decision.In other Serial news, we learned Sarah Koenig & co made a big boo-boo when putting together season one. Namely: using courtroom audio that was prohibited from broadcast. This time, justice was merciful.Kevin responds to listener reaction to his criticism of "Someone Knows Something." Again, it's another feisty split decision.In this week's installment of "Should You Listen?" the panel weighs in on Gimlet's star-powered "Homecoming." Is this the latest Gimlet podcast to break the mold?In the Crime of the Week, an FBI sting operation on Capitol Hill! The target - no, not corrupt politicians - a bootleg DVD ring. Related: In this episode, Rebecca talks about a news station covering a trial with puppets. Here's a link.Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive content, on Patreon.: https://patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

30 Dec 20161h 4min

The CBC's Someone Knows Something is back with a second season.So should you listen? That's the question the crime writers will try to answer. Spoiler: it's a split decision, with at least one of the panelists (ahem, Kevin) expressing a very passionate opinion. WILL CANADA EVER FORGIVE US? We hope so.The good news: host David Ridgen is back for his second interview with Rebecca, and he's really, really awesome. The bad news: after the interview, Kevin Flynn has a meltdown over how much he hates the podcast. It's kind of epic, but at least he feels a little bit bad about it.Also, we eliminate homework for our listeners...especially for those of you who never do it!In the Crime of the Week, a Santa-lookalike is kicked out of Six Flags. Grinch move or totes justified?  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.

16 Dec 20161h 3min