Disorder in the Court - The Atlanta Courthouse Killer

A bizarre and terrifying crime spree has been on the rise in the UK for the past several years. In this episode, I’ll share stories illustrating how acid attacks have increasingly been used to retaliate against a romantic partner once a relationship ends.  Resources:  “Acid Attacks on the Rise in the U.K.”, Joanna Kakissis/NPR, Aug 6, 2017. “Acid Attacks: What has led to the rise and how can they be stopped?”, George Mann/BBC News, July 14, 2017.  “Jealous woman is jailed for 14 years after scarring her boyfriend”, Rory Tingle/DailyMail.com, Nov 21, 2021.  “Woman jailed for acid attack on boyfriend”, Tristan Kirk/Evening Standard, Nov 19, 2021.  “Man recalls moment ex-girlfriend poured acid over him while he slept”, Jamie Barlow/Nottinghamshire Live, Feb 12, 2021.  The Queen v Mark Cummings and Katie Leong, Crown Court at Leicester, March 21, 2017.  “Katie Piper’s acid attacker is cleared for release”, Danny Gallagher/Daily Mail.com, Jun 18, 2020.  Links: Patreon - www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime Once Upon a Crime website - www.truecrimepodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Feb 202225min

In this special episode, Esther sits down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jake Halpern to talk about Season 2 of his podcast Deep Cover: Mob Land. They also discuss podcast storytelling and Jake reveals which well-known actor makes a surprise guest appearance on Deep Cover in Season 2.  Links:  Listen to Deep Cover on Pushkin.fm - https://www.pushkin.fm/show/deep-cover/ Become a Pushkin+ member to binge all episodes of Deep Cover ad-free. You will also have ad-free access to more than 20 Pushkin+ shows. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Feb 202243min

In this episode, I’ll share with you one of the craziest “love” stories you’ve ever heard - right in time for Valentine’s Day. Burt Pagach meets Linda Riss in 1957 and quickly becomes obsessed with her. When she breaks off the relationship he plots a despicable act for revenge.  Resources:  “Burt and Linda Pugach: The story behind Crazy Love”, Amy Turner for The Sunday Times, June 29, 2008.  “CityPeople; A Sort of Love Story”, Mark Fass for The New York Times, March 21, 2004.  Crazy Love (2007), Directed by Dan Klores and Fisher Stevens, Magnolia Pictures.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Feb 202240min

A 22-year-old recent graduate of a New Zealand University breaks off a short-lived relationship. Her ex would take deadly revenge on her in one of the most horrific attacks ever perpetrated in the country’s recent history.  Resources:  “Own Evidence Seals Fate” by John Hartevelt for Stuff.co.nz, July 23, 2009.  “Success accompanied by stress: Weatherston” by Kay Sinclair for the Otago Daily Times, July 9, 2009.  “The Day Sophie Died: A Mother’s Untold Story” by Lesley Elliott for NzHerald.co.nz, Jun 10, 2011.  “A Decade On: Sophie Elliott’s Family Remembers Her” by Kelley Dennett for NZHerald.co.nz, Jan 5, 2018.  “Provocation defence ‘made killer a victim”, NZ Herald, July 22, 2009.  “Sophie’s beauty not targeted court told” by Kay Sinclair for Otago Daily Times, July 14, 2009 “An examination he didn’t pass”, Otago Daily Times, July 23, 2009 “Provocation defence abolished”, Otago Daily Times, Nov 27, 2009. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 Feb 202237min

One family appears to have it all - success, wealth, a happy family life, and a beautiful ocean-view home on the California coast. But, trouble behind the scenes tears the family apart and the story of the Sachs family will end in a shocking murder.  Resources: Shadow of Death, CBS/48 Hours, October 15, 2016.  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/48-hours-investigates-andra-and-brad-sachs-murders-shadow-of-death/ “Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted,” by Salvador Hernandez, Lily Leung, and Meghann Cuniff for The Orange County Register, Feb 17, 2014.  Capistrano killings: In marriage, divorce, death, couple never parted “Familly remembers entrepreneur Brad Sachs, allegedly slain by son” by Greg Fisher for CBS News, Oct 13, 2015 “Why Aston Sachs Says He Shot His Family” by Matthew Heiler for Orange Coast Magazine, Nov 20, 2014.  https://www.orangecoast.com/features/ashton-sachs-says-shot-family/ “Where is Aston Sachs Now?” by Kriti Mehrotra for The Cinemaholic.com, Nov 10, 2020.  https://thecinemaholic.com/where-is-ashton-sachs-now/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

31 Jan 202232min

An heiress builds a grand mansion as a showplace on a hill in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, it would become a white elephant and an eyesore during its long history. And, in 1985, it became a house of horrors for two young women. Resources: People v. Raley, Supreme Court of California Appeal, June 18, 1992. Retrieved from Findlaw.com. “Yesterday’s Crimes: The Hillsborough Mansion Murder” by Bob Calhoun for SF Weekly, Jan 30, 2018. “Carolands mansion murder: Survivor Laurie McKenna speaks, 20 years later” by Howard Mintz for San Jose Mercury News, Sept 16, 2014. The Heiress and Her Chateau: Chateau Carolands of California” (2014), Directors: Catherine Ryan and Gary Weimberg, Luna Productions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Jan 202237min

July 27, 2001 Jeanine Sanchez Harms went missing after a night out with friends in Campbell, California. A man she'd only become acquainted with that night, Maurice Xavier Nasmeh, would be suspected of involvement in her disappearance. After a problematic investigation and numerous delays, the case would end in a shocking conclusion.  Resources: "Whatever Happened to Jeanine Harms?" by Loren Stein for MetroActive News, March 20, 2003. Jeanine Sanchez Harms, The Charley Project. "Jeanine Harms 'Case Closed” by Lori Preuitt for NBC Bay Area News, Aug 24, 2011. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

17 Jan 202242min

On the last episode of the year, Lorena and I break down the case of family annihilator, Chris Watts.   Resources: “Chris Watts: A Complete Timeline of the Murder of His Wife and Daughters” by Rachel Change for Biography.com, Sept 29, 2020. https://www.biography.com/news/chris-watts-wife-daughters-murder-mistress-confession-timeline “New Christopher Watts confession details how he murdered his wife, two daughters” by Elise Schmelzer for The Denver Post, March 7, 2019. https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/07/christopher-watts-confession-murder-details/ The Perfect Father: The True Story of Chris Watts, John Glatt, St. Martin’s Press, (2021). “The Case of Chris Watts, Parts 1 - 3“, JCS - Criminal Psychology, YouTube; Jan 23, 2019. https://youtu.be/Xfg861hO-Ag American Murder: The Family Next Door, Netflix, (2020). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Dec 20211h 56min