Sword and Scale

In 2008, Adam Baker and his daughter, Zahra, moved to the United States from Queensland, Australia with the hopes of having the perfect new life. Adam had just married

We finally have the pleasure of speaking to Diane Fanning, author of 13 true crime books and counting. She tells us the tragic story of Wesley and Jocelyn Earnest, a tale that serves as a fable to any young woman who has recently been separated from her spouse. This couple had such a good life ahead of them, but somehow it all fell apart due to the lust, greed and hatred of one man. It seems inconceivable to most, and the tragic tale is further highlighted and enhanced once you realize what a sweet and wonderful person the victim actually was, and what a monster her husband was.  A man who was willing to do anything to achieve a certain status in the eyes of others, and in doing so he destroyed everything around him; a man who thought he was smarter than everyone else; a man who thought he could get away with anything, even murder. Book Sources How did Jocelyn Earnest Die? Wesley Earnest trial Jury recommends life for Wesley Earnest Conviction Thrown Out Music

Timothy Wesley McCorquodale had a rage in him that was uncontrollable. Like a loose cannon he could go off at any minute, unleashing mayhem an any poor unsuspecting soul that happened to cross him. The horror he would subject 17-year-old Donna Marie Dixon to in 1974, is unfathomable to this day. This week, we are joined once again by Jason Lucky Morrow, author and webmaster from the popular true-crime site HistoricalCrimeDetective.com to discuss this disturbing case from the past. We also take a virtual tour of Washington DC’s Crime Museum, formerly known as the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, with it’s Chief Operating Officer Janine Vaccarello. This is a unique exhibit, sure to be of interest to Sword and Scale fans. Books Sources Historical Crime Detective Savage Killer Timothy McCorquodale, 1974 Iran Hostage Crisis 1979 Jimmy Carter on Iran Hostage Crisis Failed US Hostage Rescue In Iran Crime Museum Music

What happens when you run out of luck? You lose your job, your marriage, your home, your arms and legs, the respect of your parents, and your will to live, what happens then? If you’ve ever lived on planet Earth, then the answer is obvious, this is where desperation takes over and horrible things happen. This week we present the sad story of Sean Petrozzino, a mild mannered “great kid” that grew up into a world of bad luck and it ended up consuming him and making him a true monster. After killing the two people who loved him most he led authorities on an 8-day manhunt that would end tragically. We also briefly cover the case of Angela Simpson, a convicted psychopath who loves her status and wants to tell you about it. The audio of her interview is chilling and will question your ideas about whether some of us are worth trying to reform. Then we talk to Cathy Ruson from CourtChatter.tv who fills us in on the status of the Oscar Pistorious and Justin Ross Harris cases, and also fills us in on the biggest high-profile case(s) of 2015, that of the Aaron Hernandez murder trials. Apparently, we’ll be seeing two separate trials, one for murder, and one for double murder. It’s going to be a hell of a show. Sources Principal’s Announcement Young Petrozzino Hometown Hero Person of Interest Press Conference Video shows glimpse of life of amputee sought in parents’ death Orange County deputies name son a person of interest in couple’s death Orange Co. couple murdered: Son named person of interest Memphis death may be related to Sean Petrazzino Amputee Sought in Parents’ Murder Shoots Himself, Dies Friends detail life of quad amputee, parents before bloody end Memphis police identify Orlando man wanted in parents’ death as suicide victim Site honors quad-amputee suspect in parents’ deaths Angela M. Simpson Murderpedia Page 2009 Torture Murder Case – Angela Simpson Terry Neely Cold Blooded Woman Angela Simpson Interview After Getting Life In Prison! Court Chatter and CourtChatterTV Music Leyland Kirby – Wdtftcs – Thirty-Four

Probably the most horrific murder publicly accessible though a variety of social media, the death of Jun Lee was a public execution for all to see. The culprit was a narcissistic psychopath named Luka Magnotta, and the terror he would unleash upon the world would reach out like evil tentacles across nations, cultures, and ages through the free-flowing highway of information we call the Internet. Magnotta’s evil wasn’t limited to humanity, he also tortured animals. The kind of animals that are so adorable, innocent, and unable to defend themselves that it literablly makes you sink to even think about it. But Magnotta wanted fame, so he wasn’t content with having you think about it. He wanted you to see it, as many did, including young children who will undoubtedly be scarred for the rest of their lives. Sources Luka Magnotta auditioning for a documentary on bi-sexuality Toronto woman unknowingly welcomed Luka Magnotta into her home Kitten killer evidence video Reaction video 1 Reaction video 2 Reaction video 3 Reaction video 4 Reaction video 5 “He was a time bomb waiting to explode” Reporter Alex West describes meeting Magnotta Magnotta Mystery Goes Way Back Miami & Los Angeles connection Jun Lin’s parents speak part 1 & part 2 Luka Magnotta jury fails to come to a verdict on Day 5 Trial Ends Music

One of the more bizarre stories of our lifetime, the story of Luka Magnotta is wrought with remorseful refrains and awkward pauses. This is a man, who was so narcissistic that there would be nothing to stand between him and what he wanted in life… fame.  Had he been “normal” his goals might have been awe-inspiring, but Luka was the worst type of person, a psychopathic narcissist, and he would flaunt it in the nose of the good people of the world. The hell he would unleash online is something that would bring many to tears. He would find a way to reach fame, or infamy, one way or another. Whether it be adult films or the slaughter of animals, Luka was destined for stardom. Unfortunately for the Chinese International Student Jun Lin, who would eventually become a victim of his madness, Magnotta would find the International spotlight he was looking for.  His crime, would be one so brutal and so bizarre that it would prompt Canada’s largest International manhunt, but would they ever catch this killer, who was a virtual phantom, before it was too late? Sources Police Press Conference Witness and the Suitcase Luka Rocco Magnotta audition for Cover Guy Luka Magnotta auditions for plastic surgery show Barbie Hunting Magnotta (2012) Luka Magnotta Murderpedia Page Luka Magnotta Murder Timeline Music The Palici Presents – Amnesia Alva Noto – Xerrox Monophaser 2

In this season finale of Sword and Scale, we bring back many of the guests we’ve spoken to over the last year and ask them a fundamental question that relates to the nature of crime: “Is humanity inherently good or evil?”  The answer comes from many different perspectives. They are victims, convicts, authors, podcasters, psychologists and neurologists. Their answers open a discussion into the nature of these abstract concepts and will leave you asking what you yourself believe. Thanks to all those who have taken part in Sword and Scale’s success and we wish you a wonderful holiday season. See you next year! Guests Dan Zupansky, author of the book Trophy Kill and host of True Murder Freddy, Jason & Aaron from HorrorHound Radio Janice Holly Booth, author of the book A Voice out of Nowhere Levi Page, high profile case expert and HLN contributor Cathy Russon, high profile case expert and founder of Court Chatter Michael Odegard Jennifer Robin, sister to murder victim Kimberly Renea Mabry Kay Wilson, murder victim Erik Primesbuerger’s mother James Kazaar, witness in the Erik Primesburger murder case Kirk Menard, private investigator on the Jennings 8 murder case Bruce R. Johnson expert on the serial killer Belle Gunness Roejen and Lobo from Project Archivist Glenn Langohr, author of the book Roll Call Dane Ladwig author of the book Dr. H. H. Holmes and The Whitechapel Ripper Roger Dean Kiser, victim and victim’s advocate and author of the book The White House Boys: An American Tragedy Mayra Martinez from Raven Recovery Crime Scene Cleanup Natasha A. Frost, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Programs, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University and author of The Punishment Imperative James Fallon, emeritus professor of anatomy and neurobiology in the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine and author of the book The Psychopath Inside Tricia Griffith, host of True Crime Radio and founding member of Websleuths Music Season 1 Playlist

There are 2.2 million schizophrenics in the United States. You have a one in a hundred chance of encountering one on any given day, and when you do hopefully that isn’t the day when the voices in their head are telling them to kill you. This week we tell you the story of three people who were minding their own business, going about their day either taking a trip, going to work, or just relaxing at home after a long day. Each of these people have one thing in common: they all became victims of paranoid schizophrenics. The fact is they are all around us and until we, as a society, begin to treat mental health issues more seriously we will all continue to be possible targets of the madness around us. In this episode we discuss the cases of Vince Weiguang Li, Alton Nolen and Derek Ward. All three of these men decapitated their victims with a complete lack of empathy or mercy. The brutality of their attacks are unimaginable and terrifying. If these stories don’t give you nightmares, you should seek counseling yourself. Sources Man decapitated (head cut off) on Canadian bus Vince Li in court: “Please kill me.” Vince Li, Greyhound Bus Beheader, Granted Unsupervised Outings Could bus killer Li go free? Alex Jones interview with Tim McLean’s Mother pt1, pt2 Aftermath of Murder: Carol de Delley Interview Greyhound bus killer found not criminally responsible Oklahoma beheading: Fired employee attempted to convert coworkers to Muslim faith Oklahoma beheading: 911 audio Alton Nolen charges and press conference Alton Nolen’s Facebook page depicted beheading a month before release from probation Oklahoma Beheading Suspect Alton Nolen’s Mom Responds Mom beheaded by son on Long Island ID’d as Farmingdale State College professor Professor Patricia Ward Identified As New York Woman Allegedly Beheaded By Son Music K’an () – The Tree In the Garden of Limbs Rafael Anton Irisarri – A Glimpse Art Cover art by CoolMcFlash

The term “bluebeard” conveys images of pirates sailing the high seas, but the actual meaning of this term is much darker and there are examples of it all around us. You see, a “bluebeard” is a man that murders his wife. The term is derived from a French folktale dating back to the 1600′s, making this horrible idea not a new one. The fact that this term isn’t commonly used in North America is curious, since its female counterpart “black widow” is widely known worldwide. In this episode of Sword and Scale we examine some Bluebeard cases which you probably haven’t heard about, including some recent ones that have shocked us in their pointlessness and brutality. But beware… After listening, you may never look at your husband the same way again. Sources Lori Hacking’s Mom Talks Lori Hacking’s Brother Speaks Hacking Confesses Murder Jogger’s Husband Arrested Jogger’s Husband Lied Lori Soares Hacking’s Murder Bluebeard, the story Gilles de Rais Husband Finally Confesses to Wife’s Murder Raw Interview: William Pete White 1-of-3 Raw Interview: William Pete White 3-of-3 Lakewood Man Who Shot Wife Appears in Court Music Art Blue beard by Donna-Quixote

Everyone thought Joshua Gouker was a dangerous criminal. It was easy to convict him of murdering his 14-year-old step son Trey Zwicker, especially after he suddenly changed his plea to guilty and confessed. But why would a hardened criminal mastermind, who had several friends and family members at his command and lying for him, suddenly confess at trial without a plea bargain in place? The answer is that his son, who he proudly referred to as a demon child, was also on trial for the same murder, and although he was only 15 when Zwicker died, he was being tried as an adult. The bond between this father and son duo is stronger than you would expect given the fact that neither of them seem to have a moral compass of any sort. We’ll delve into the incredible details of this case, which gives new meaning to the words “like father, like son.” Sources Joshua Young Murder Trial – Victim Speaks Jahaira Riddle/Friend Testifies Gouker Testifies Part 1 Gouker Testifies Part 2 Dr. Phil – “My Dad Tried to Frame Me for Murder” Part 1 Dr. Phil – “My Dad Tried to Frame Me for Murder” Part 2 New details of Josh Young’s arrest released Josh Young found in contempt of court, sentenced to jail time Music The Mighty Imperials – Thunder Chicken

In this special two-parter, the brutal and inexplicable murder of a 14-year-old boy exposes a dysfunctional American family’s secrets and lies.  This is the story of Trey Zwicker’s murder, a young boy who did everything right but never really had a chance because he grew up in the wrong place, around the wrong people. This is also the story of a father and son.  Joshua Young, a bright honor-role student, and Joshua Gouker, a convicted felon who had spent most of his son’s lifetime behind bars.  The two were so close that they even share a murder indictment for Trey Zwicker’s untimely departure from Earth.  One was sentenced to life, the other walks among us, but did the justice system get it right or was it fooled by a criminal mastermind?  We’ll present the evidence and let you decide for yourself in the true-crime murder mystery. Be sure to check in for part two of this story, where we flip the table and make you question your conclusions. Sources Joshua Young Trial – VERDICT Josh Gouker Admits to killing Trey Zwicker Cassie Gouker testifies Rare look at Joshua Young’s bond with dad Joshua young Trial Day 2. Part 2 Timeline: Here’s what led to Joshua Young’s trial Side of Joshua Young’s story you haven’t heard Music

This is one of the most under-reported murders in the history of the North American Continent. A mutilation that took hours and mind that was so disturbed it relished in the extreme violence inflicted on the deceased, this story exposes the obvious deficiencies in the extremely Liberal Canadian justice system, which even many natives don’t even fully understand. Dan Zupansky, author of Trophy Kill “The Shall We Ask Murder” and host of the highly-popular true-crime podcast True Murder “The Most Shocking Killers in True Crime History”, joins us to tell us a tale that is as disturbing as some of the most infamous cases ever reported. Zupansky, however, wasn’t satisfied in simply chronicling a historical case. He jumped in, head first, into an active case that was still unraveling. In doing so, he became the unwitting target of critics and star witness for the prosecution of his subject. He tells us his story, no holds barred, describing his disdain for some of the actors in this case such as Greg Broadsky, who defended infamous killer Paul Bernardo and is on a short list of the most prominent known Canadian criminal defense attorneys. This story is interesting from so many different standpoints, and also so tragic from so many different standpoints, it’s unlikely for anyone not to find something they feel passionate about on this particular case. Book Music Apriorism – Ambivalence

Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children.  Being one of these children is nightmarish enough, but if your abuser is someone you completely trust, then the event becomes all the more traumatic.  Jamie Sivrais was one of these children.  When he was 10 his father, who had been absent much of his early life, sexually abused him.  Emboldened by his act, the abuse escalated to a point where Jamie knew he had to do something to try and put an end to it. Today Jamie runs a non-profit called A Voice for the Innocent which encourages victims of sexual abuse to come forward anonymously with their stories and get help from a community of others who have had similar experiences.  The abuse at the hands of Jamie’s father is shocking and terrible, but the fact that he has been able to turn such dark events in his life into such a positive act by assisting other victims, makes his story inspirational and uplifting. Music Leyland Kirby – Wdtftcs – One Jamie Woon – Night Air (Ramadanman Refix)

With just 10,000 residents, the small town of Jennings, Louisiana has one of the highest crime rates per capita of any US town.  Any vice you’re looking for can be found here, including prostitution, which is just one of the things that linked all 8 victims that were found in the surrounding swamp land.   Another thing linking all eight women, was their association with a man by the name of Frankie Richard.  A shady character with a spotty, Richard knew all 8 women and admits to having sexual relations with almost all of them, yet he claims to have nothing to do with the murders and provides little information beyond that. However, the secrets of this town are lying there in wait for someone to who cares enough about eight dead prostitutes to come forward and solve this case.  Apparently, the local Sheriff’s department hasn’t stepped up to the job, and the level of corruption and crime going on by those who actually wear a badge is staggering.  The number of officers or investigated for ethics violations over the last decade would be shocking even for a large city, let alone a small town such as Jennings.  It has become clear, over the course of two sheriffs being prosecuted and one mysteriously resigning before being asked to step down, that the culture of corruption in this town may go all the way to the top and, because of that, this crime may never be solved. Sources Law and Disorder in Jennings Who Killed the Jeff Davis 8? Jennings 8: Unsolved murders haunt town, police Justin Ross Harris Hot Car Child Death Mom Leaves Two Toddles in a Hot Car while she gets a Brazilian Bikini Wax Woman Leaves Child in 140-Degree Car While Getting Nails Done Nanny Accused of Leaving Babies in a Blazing Hot Minivan so She Could Go Tanning Toddler Saves Elderly Man Locked Inside Hot Car Music Art After Midnight by Just Josie

What could be more horrifying, terrible, and heart-breaking than a mother intentionally taking the life of her own child.  The fact that there’s even a word in the English language that describes it it shocking in itself.  The word is filicide and, even though you may have never heard of it, there are too many cases to cover in just one episode of Sword and Scale.  We barely scratch the surface in this episode of some of the most horrifying cases of mommies killing their babies. Episode 23 covers some of the more famous cases like Andrea Yates and Casey Anthony, as well as the deplorable recent case of Megan Huntsman and her garage of nightmares.  We also touch on more recent cases that will literally turn your stomach, such as Microwave Mom China Arnold and the attempted murder suicides of Elaine Campione and Julia Murray, each of which failed their intended outcome for entirely different reasons. Warning: these cases are highly disturbing.  You won’t be able to get these stories out of your head.  So if you are sensitive to the brutal truth of true crime, then you may want to skip this one. Sources The Andrea Yates Story Andrea Yates Drowns Children Andrea Yates Insanity Verdict Yates Confesses Killing Her Children Where is Andrea Yates Now? Questions surround case of Utah mom accused of killing babies Megan Huntsman Court Appearance 6 Infants, 10 Years The China Arnold Story – HellBeasts China Arnold Sentenced China Arnold Verdict Arnold Conviction Overturned Elaine Campione  Interrogation Video Elaine Campione & Her Children Julia Murray’s Murder-Suicide Casey Anthony Case Verdict Caylee Anthony Singing With Family Music Art Cover art by M.Iska