Court Junkie

In January 2008, a Hepatitis C outbreak was discovered in Las Vegas, Nevada. After investigating the outbreak, officials were able to determine that the infected patients all had one thing in common - they had all undergone procedures at the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada.   After one of the infected patients passed away, a physician and nurse anesthetist from the Center were charged with second degree murder.    Sponsors in this episode: PROcure - PROcure's Hydrocortisone Cream with Calendula is fast-acting, healing itchy, irritated skin with maximum strength 1% cortisone. It's enhanced with organic calendula extracts, a natural botanical that has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation. It gives you all the medicine you need + skin-loving ingredients like organic coconut oil. Go to procureheals.com/JUNKIE to be directed to Amazon where you'll get a special $3 discount with the code 3JUNKIE. SURVIVAL - Every Monday, the Parcast Network's podcast SURVIVAL demonstrates the human spi

In January 2011, 48-year-old John Lee was arrested for battery. He posted bail and within days, his alleged victims were found dead.    Sponsors in this episode: Care/Of Vitamins - For 50% off your first month of personalized Care/of vitamins, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter JUNKIE50. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In June 2012, 54-year-old Marcus Golike was found deceased on the banks of the Ohio River. Investigators immediately focused in on four teenagers as potential suspects. What would they learn in their interrogations?   Sponsors in this episode: Breach - Breach is a podcast that takes you inside the world's biggest hacks - how they're done, who does them, and what's really at stake when your private data is compromised. Listen to Season 2 of Breach, The Equifax Story: This Time It's Personal. Subscribe to Breach in your podcast app. True Body Bra - An amazingly comfortable and supportive bra from True and Co. Save 15% now when you go to Trueandco.com/junkie and enter the code JUNKIE. Summersalt Swimwear - Crafted with 5x the strength and 4x the compression of an average swimsuit, Summersalt offers designer quality without the designer price tag. Get $10 towards your purchase using the code JUNKIE at summersalt.com. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreo

On Saturday, November 16, 2014, police officers responded to the call of a bar fight at a local bar in Akron, Ohio. As they neared the scene, the call changed - an officer was down and in need of immediate assistance. When they arrived, they found an off-duty police officer lying in the parking lot. He had been shot twice, and the shooter was on the run.   Sponsors in this episode: Summersalt Swimwear - Crafted with 5x the strength and 4x the compression of an average swimsuit, Summersalt offers designer quality without the designer price tag. Get $10 towards your purchase using the code JUNKIE at summersalt.com. Lorena - Amazon Prime Video and Executive Producer Jordan Peele bring you Lorena: the new docu-series that shares Lorena Bobbitt's side of the story and investigates the headlines and press coverage 25 years later - Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.  Handy - the easy and convenient way to book home cleanings. To get your first 3-hour cleaning for $39 when you sign up for a plan, visit

35-year-old Kendra Hatcher was tragically gunned down in the parking garage of her high-rise apartment building in Dallas, Texas, in September 2015. The investigation into her murder would uncover a sinister plot to have her killed. Would all the suspects be caught and be brought to justice?    Sponsors in this episode: First Day Back - a really great unique podcast about people returning from the hardest experiences of their lives. Make sure you check out First Day Back in your podcast app now, and then subscribe so you won't miss an episode.  LOLA -  LOLA offers complete transparency about the ingredients found in their tampons, pads, liners, and wipes - all of which are 100% organic cotton with no added chemicals, fragrances, synthetics, or dyes. With Lola's customizable subscription, you get to choose your mix of products, mix of absorbency, number of boxes, and frequency of delivery. For 40% off all subscriptions, visit mylola.com and enter code COURT40 when you subscribe.  Please consid

On December 16, 2000, 31-year-old Mike Williams went duck hunting, only to never be heard from again. Authorities told reporters that they suspected he got into a boating accident, drowned, and was eventually eaten by alligators. But 17 years and two arrests later, would the truth finally come out?   NOTE: If you're interested in this case, the Minds of Madness Podcast has also covered it this week - They do a great job of looking into the minds and circumstances of this tragic case and the lengths a mother's love will go to, to bring justice for her son. Check it out!    Sponsors in this episode: Murderville, Georgia - a new investigative podcast from The Intercept. Subscribe now on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. True & Co. - Home of THE most comfortable bras on the planet! (They didn't tell me to say that, but that's how comfortable they are) Save 15% now when you go to Trueandco.com/junkie and enter the code junkie. Simple Contacts - Simple Contacts lets you conven

In this New Years episode, I take a look back at some of the episodes I covered this year. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In December 2012, 18-year-old Jerrod Murray was arrested and charged with the murder of 18-year-old Generro Sanchez, a fellow college student. In a chilling interrogation, Jerrod matter-of-factly describes the murder and when asked if he has any remorse, he says no. But would the laws in Oklahoma make it easy for Jerrod to not face responsibility for what he did?   In the episode, I speak with Generro's mom, Jeana, who talks about what happened to her son, and what she and her family are still dealing with today.   Sponsors in this episode: KATANA Safety - The first and only personal safety device that attaches to your smartphone, KATANA is monitored by a 24/7 Response Center and an app that alerts seven of your loved ones. Buy now at katanasafety.com/junkie. Get 20% off with the promo code JUNKIE.  Simple Contacts - Simple Contacts lets you conveniently renew your contact lens prescription & reorder your contacts from anywhere in minutes. Get $20 off your contacts at simplecontacts.com/J

In July 2007, a man in a trench coat walked into the crowded New York New York Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and opened fire.    At his trial, his defense would argue that his intent had not been to kill, but to be killed. What would the jury think?   Sponsors in this episode: Up And Vanished - In a one-night special TV event, Oxygen brings to life Payne Lindsey's hit true crime podcast "Up and Vanished." Check it out on Oxygen On Demand Madison Reed - Madison Reed is reinventing the way women color their hair - they offer the quality of salon color, the convenience and affordability of at-home hair color, and combine that with an ammonia-free formula with ingredients you can feel good about. Get 10% off plus Free Shipping on their first color kit. Go to Madison-Reed.com and use code JUNKIE.  Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow

In December 2013, 20-year-old Heather Elvis mysteriously vanished in the middle of the night and hasn't been seen or heard from since. I covered Heather's disappearance and the first trial of one of the suspects in Episode 45. This episode covers the trial of the second suspect.    Law enforcement and prosecutors are convinced they know what happened to Heather - but would a jury believe their theory?   Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

On February 18, 2002, 23-year-old Marine Sergeant Todd Sommer collapsed at the home he shared with his wife, Cynthia. An autopsy concluded that Todd had died from a heart attack, but years later, Cynthia was arrested and charged with murder.    A special thank you to Allen Bloom, one of Cynthia's attorneys, for speaking with me about the case.    Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

On October 28, 2009, there was a fatal encounter between 57-year-old Mark Stover and 42-year-old Michiel Oakes. Prosecutors say Michiel committed premeditated murder, but Michiel says it was something else. Who will the jury believe? Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

On August 20, 2008, a tragedy occurred at the football practice at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky. A 15-year-old boy lost his life and a 37-year-old coach would soon face charges in his death.    Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In this Court Junkie Brief, I interview Stanford Law Professor Michele Dauber, who led the recall campaign against Judge Aaron Persky, the judge who presided over the Brock Turner case from Episode 58.  We discuss why she decided to start the campaign, Judge Persky's sentencing history, and death threats she received as a result of her efforts.  You can follow Professor Dauber on Twitter @mldauber, and also follow their ongoing efforts to put violence against women on the ballots on Twitter @EnoughVoter. Their website should be up shortly, so be on the lookout for that at enoughisenoughvoter.org.  Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In January 2015, a call of an unconscious female came into the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office in Palo Alto, California. Deputies responded to a fraternity house on the Stanford campus and found an unresponsive woman who had been sexually assaulted, lying on the ground outside, behind a dumpster. The suspect was a freshman at Stanford, and the trial and sentencing that followed would make national news.   I spoke with Professor Michele Dauber, a law professor at Stanford, for this episode. You can follow Professor Dauber on Twitter @mldauber.   For more information on what's next for Professor Dauber's campaign, please visit enoughisenoughvoter.org or follow them on Twitter @enoughvoter. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In 1998, a newborn baby was stolen from the University Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The mystery would go unsolved for 18 years, until a teenager in South Carolina made a shocking discovery.   Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In Episode 34, I covered the case of Kelly Cochran, who was accused of murdering her former lover, Christopher Regan. At her trial, Kelly maintained her innocence and instead placed the blame for Christopher's death on her husband, Jason Cochran, who had mysteriously passed away before the case went to trial. In addition to Christopher's death, Kelly was charged with Jason's murder too.    In this Case Update, I pick up where I left off in Episode 34 - after Kelly went on trial for Christopher's murder. I spoke with MJ Dulmage, an author who has close ties to the case, about Kelly's recent plea deal and sentencing for the death of her husband, Jason Cochran.     For more info on MJ's book, please visit http://www.facebook.com/coldfromtheinside.   Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie.

In May 2009, a tragedy hit the small St. Louis suburb of Columbia, Illinois. A loving mother and her two young sons were found dead in their beds. But who would do such a thing, and why? CORRECTION: In the episode, I refer to a woman "who was having an affair with" a married male. I should have instead said that she was "the woman with whom he was having an affair."  Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie. Music in this episode: Lochley Fells by Blue Dot Sessions - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Barstool/Lochley_Fells Feeling by Borrtex - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Borrtex/Emotion/1Feeling Everywhere by Lee Rosevere - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Music_For_Podcasts_5/Lee_Rosevere_-_Music_For_Podcasts_5_-_06_Everywhere Noodle Opus by Blue Dot Sessions - 

In July 2011, 27-year-old Laura Ackerson went to pick up her two children from her ex-boyfriend's house, only to never be seen or heard from again. The former boyfriend is immediately a suspect, but he quickly points the finger at his new wife. After two trials, will we finally get the answers to what happened to Laura? Disclaimer: This episode contains some graphic testimony. Listener discretion is advised. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie. Music in this episode: Suppose It Is by Podington Bear - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Piano_II_-_Felt/Suppose_It_Is You Promise by Alex Mason & The Minor Emotion - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Alex_Mason__The_Minor_Emotion/Soul_Breaker/08_alex_mason___the_minor_emotion_-_you_promise Clouds by Sergey Cheremisinov - http://freemus

Darren Sharper retired from the NFL a sports hero, after helping lead the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2011. But just three years later, some shocking allegations would surface and prove that everything wasn't as it seemed. Thank you to Ramon Antonio Vargas, for helping me with this case. Follow him on Twitter @RVargasAdvocate or email him at rvargas@theadvocate.com. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie. Music in this episode: Noodle Opus by Blue Dot Sessions - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blue_Dot_Sessions/Piano_Mover/Noodle_Opus Suppose It Is by Podington Bear - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Piano_II_-_Felt/Suppose_It_Is Not Alone by Lee Rosevere - http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Music_for_Podcasts_4/Lee_Rosevere_-_Music_for_Podcasts_4_-_10