Suspect Convictions

Perry Cobb was sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit. Today he holds the record for the person tried the most times for the same murder. He was freed from death row by a young journalist and a new law school graduate, who defied political pressure to testify on Perry’s behalf.

Kristine Bunch served 17 years in prison for a crime that never happened. On June 30, 1995, the Indiana trailer where she lived erupted into flames. Her 3-year-old son, Tony, was found dead in his bedroom. Police immediately accused Bunch of arson, which she denied. A laboratory report was altered and based on this altered report she was convicted. Bunch tells the story of how she overcame the false conviction.

We introduce you to a new podcast by Wondery that contemplates challenges in the workplace. wondery.fm/suspect

Mary Beth Haglin was a brilliant young teacher, a recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship and a talented instructor. Then the 23-year-old had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. When they were found out, her life began to unravel. First, she lost her job and then she became a pariah in the community. Next, she became a stripper and acted in porn videos. Now, she faces jail time. We look at Mary Beth’s descent, the decisions she made and ask: Should her mistake be treated bad...

Darrel Parker was a 24-year-old newlywed when he was convicted of murdering his wife in Lincoln, Nebraska. He spent the next 60 years fighting to clear his name. Scott Reeder interviews the 86-year-old Parker and takes listeners on a 60-year journey until Parker was able to prove his innocence and receive an apology from the state. Sponsor: Rxbar: rxbar.com/suspect and use the promo code "SUSPECT" at checkout for 25% off.

Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, inventors, investors and executives to new heights -- or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace. From Wondery, the network behind Dirty John and American History Tellers. Don’t forget to subscribe at wondery.fm/businesswars

Hosts Willis Kern and Scott Reeder recap what they’ve discovered over the first 13 episodes covering Barton McNeil’s conviction. And they look ahead at what’s next for the Illinois Innocence Project, which is expected to file motions seeking a new trial for McNeil in the coming months.

Misook's ex-husband says she tried to get him to plant drugs on Bart the night of the murder. And Scott Reeder and Willis Kern examine Bart's life before prison.

The bed in which Christina McNeil was murdered was later purchased at a thrift store by the same woman who the girl’s father says killed her, a Department of Children and Family services report indicates. That is one of the revelations in this week’s episode of Suspect Convictions. After Barton McNeil was arrested and ultimately convicted of the murder, his brother donated the bed to The Salvation Army.

Two of Barton McNeil’s cousins have been tireless advocates for his innocence. What motivates them to help a man neither knew before he was convicted of murder? Grace Schlafer from Indiana and Chris Ross from California have interviewed witnesses, poured over documents, and questioned detectives. They were instrumental in getting the Illinois Innocence Project involved in McNeil’s fight for exoneration. The Illinois Innocence Project is expected to file motions soon in hopes of winning McNeil a new tria

Scott Reeder shares a letter he received from Misook Nowlin Wang, who is serving a 55-year prison sentence for killing her mother in-law. She addresses Barton McNeil’s assertions that she killed his 3-year-old daughter Christina.  Reeder and co-host Willis Kern are joined by social psychologist and true-crime buff Amanda Vicary, a professor at Illinois Wesleyan University to discuss the twists and turns in the McNeil case to date.

New DNA evidence has been uncovered that defense attorneys contend points to Barton McNeil' s innocence and Misook Nowlan Wang's guilt. But prosecutors are saying not so fast.

Barton McNeil is incarcerated in the the murder of his 3-year-old daughter, Christina. He maintains he is innocent. While serving a life sentence at an Illinois maximum security prison, he answered questions from Suspect Conviction listeners. Sponsors: Simplisafe: Simplisafe.com/Suspect

Misook Nowlin Wang was the alternate suspect presented by the defense in the killing of 3-year-old Christina McNeil. What is known for certain is that she killed her mother in-law Linda Tyda, 11 years later. Scott Reeder and Willis Kern explore this murder and how it may or may not impact Barton McNeil's case.

Suspect Convictions hosts Willis Kern and Scott Reeder are joined by guest Rabia Chaudry, an attorney whose friend Adnan Syed’s murder conviction was featured in the first season of Serial. She hosts the Undisclosed podcast. They were also joined by Charlie Worrell, co-host of the crime podcast In Sight.