Court Junkie

When 18-year-old Brooke Skylar Richardson went to the doctor for a routine checkup, she learned that she was pregnant and was due to give birth in a matter of weeks. Just nine days later, she gave birth to a baby she says was not alive, and then concealed the body. Prosecutors claim she killed the baby in order to hide the pregnancy from her friends and family. In Part 1, you’ll hear what happened, including from Skylar herself, in her interviews with police. You’ll also hear how investigators then built their case against her. Sponsors in this episode: -Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile puzzle game on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it now for FREE. - NetSuite is the world’s NUMBER ONE cloud business system. Schedule your free demo and receive their FREE guide – “Seven Key Strategies to Grow Your Profits” at NetSuite.com/COURT. - Policygenius is the easy way to shop for life insurance online. Go to policygenius.com, get quotes, and apply in minutes. - Rothys makes stylish shoes for

In March 2017, 39-year-old Leon Jacob, a doctor from Houston, Texas, told an undercover officer that he wanted his ex-girlfriend “taken care of.” Leon’s new girlfriend, a prominent veterinarian, also had a problem she wanted “taken care of”- her ex-husband. Would the couple get away with trying to have their exes killed, or would they be convicted of solicitation of murder? Sponsors in this episode: - Policygenius is the easy way to shop for life insurance online. Go to policygenius.com, get quotes, and apply in minutes. - Don’t miss the Adam Corolla Show, weekdays on Apple Podcasts and PodcastOne. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. 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 2010, 34-year-old Nikki Whitehead was found murdered in her home in Conyers, Georgia. Her 16-year-old twin daughters told police they had found their mother deceased in her bathtub when they returned home from school. The months-long investigation revealed numerous suspects and uncovered details of a home life that wasn’t what it seemed. This episode was researched and written by Kathleen McWilliams. Sponsors in this episode: - Best Fiends - Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile puzzle game on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it now for FREE. - Smithsonian Channel Plus - A new streaming service that presents history, mystery, science and pop culture in a whole new light. Visit GetSCplus.com/CourtJunkie to get 50% off your first three months. - Spike’s Car Radio - Subscribe to Spike’s Car Radio and get new episodes every week on Apple Podcasts and PodcastOne. - Stamps.com - Get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale. Just go to Stamps.c

In July 2014, FSU law professor Dan Markel was shot and killed in the driveway of his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Investigators immediately suspected that the family of Dan’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, was behind the murder, but would they be able to prove it? After two years of investigation, three arrests were made in the case - Luis Rivera, Sigfredo Garcia, and Katherine Magbanua. The Prosecution’s theory is that the Adelson family hired Katherine, who was dating Wendi’s brother Charlie, to orchestrate the murder. Katherine then enlisted the help of the father of her children, Sigfredo, and his friend Luis. In September 2019, Sigfredo and Katherine went to trial for the murder, with Luis Rivera was the star witness against them. Would prosecutors be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, or would the defenses of Sigfredo and Katherine prove that they were being railroaded? Sponsors in this episode: - Stamps.com - Get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digi

In July 2014, FSU law professor Dan Markel was shot and killed in the driveway of his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Investigators immediately suspected that the family of Dan’s ex-wife, Wendi Adelson, was behind the murder, but would they be able to prove it? After two years of investigation, three arrests were made in the case - Luis Rivera, Sigfredo Garcia, and Katherine Magbanua. The Prosecution’s theory is that the Adelson family hired Katherine, who was dating Wendi’s brother Charlie, to orchestrate the murder. Katherine then enlisted the help of the father of her children, Sigfredo, and his friend Luis. In September 2019, Sigfredo and Katherine went to trial for the murder, with Luis Rivera was the star witness against them. Would prosecutors be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, or would the defenses of Sigfredo and Katherine prove that they were being railroaded? Sponsors in this episode: - Care/of - For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter JUNKIE50.

In August 2018, police officers in Blount County, Tennessee, responded to a call from 24-year-old Sean Foley. Sean told the dispatchers that he had shot and killed a man, but said he did it because the man had been molesting his girlfriend. Sean was arrested and charged with murder, but would the details that would come out in court make the jury sympathetic to what Sean did? This episode was researched and written by Jennifer Tintner, from the Law & Crime Network. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @JenniferTintner. Sponsors in this episode: - Best Fiends - Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile puzzle game on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it now for FREE. - Smithsonian Channel Plus - A new streaming service that presents history, mystery, science and pop culture in a whole new light. Visit GetSCplus.com/CourtJunkie to get 50% off your first three months. - Stamps.com - Get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale. Just go to Stamps.com, click on the

In May 2008, there was a strange scene along the Catawba River in Gaston County, North Carolina - a 20-year-old college student was found dead beside her car. Two local fishermen were arrested, and one of them was convicted of murder. Years later, that conviction was overturned due to, in part, ineffective assistance of counsel. Today’s episode looks at the evidence presented at trial, the overturned conviction, and what will happen next in this case. Special thanks to Mark’s attorney, Chris Mumma, from the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, for talking to us about her work on Mark’s case. This episode was researched and written by Jordan Hensley, with the interview by Jillian Jalali. Sponsors in this episode: - AUTOPSY - The hit Reelz Channel show “Autopsy” is coming to PodcastOne with all new episodes. Download new episodes every week on Apple Podcasts and PodcastOne. - The Real Real - Shop from designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Cartier and hundreds more, at up to 90% off retail.

In November 2008, 22-year-old Lateisha Green was shot and killed outside of a house party in Syracuse, New York. The suspect was tried for murder in what was New York’s first hate crime prosecution involving the death of a transgender person. Would justice be served for Lateisha? Sponsors in this episode: - Autopsy - The hit Reelz Channel show “Autopsy” is coming to PodcastOne with all new episodes. Download new episodes every week on Apple Podcasts and PodcastOne. - Forevernote makes it easy for families to preserve their most precious memories, traditions, and stories. Visit Forevernote.com and enter promo code COURT for a special offer ($25 OFF) and to get started today. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at CourtJunkie. This episode was co-written by Charlie Worroll.

In April 2008, authorities in Santa Monica, California arrested a man for breaking into a woman’s home and brutally attacking her with a knife. She survived, but they were they shocked to find that she wasn’t his first victim. Not even close. Sponsors in this episode: - Best Fiends - Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile puzzle game on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it now for free. - Forevernote - Forevernote makes it easy for families to preserve their most precious memories, traditions, and stories. Visit Forevernote.com and enter promo code COURT for a special offer ($25 OFF) and to get started today. - Stamps.com - Get a special offer that includes a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale, without any long term commitment. Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the top of the homepage and type COURT. - The Real Real - Shop from designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Cartier and hundreds more, at up to 90% off retail. Shop in-store, online, or download the ap

It was a trial that caught the attention of people all over the country. How and why did Amber Guyger, an off-duty police officer, walk into the wrong apartment and shoot and kill an innocent man? Sponsors in this episode: - NetSuite - Download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow your Profits” at NetSuite.Com/COURT. - Policygenius - Policygenius is the easy way to shop for life insurance online. Go to PolicyGenius.com, get quotes, and apply in minutes. - The Real Real - Shop from designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Cartier and hundreds more, at up to 90% off retail. Shop in-store, online, or download the app, and get 20% off select items with the promo code REAL. - Forevernote - Forevernote makes it easy for families to preserve their most precious memories, traditions, and stories. Visit Forevernote.com and enter promo code COURT for a special offer ($25 OFF) and to get started today. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to

In January 2006, a 33-year-old mother of three was found dead in her home after being involved in a contentious custody battle with the father of her young son. That father seems to have an airtight alibi, but one of his friends doesn’t. Will justice be served in this case and will Melissa’s killer be convicted? This episode was researched and written by Jennifer Tintner. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferTintner. Sponsors in this episode: - Best Fiends - Engage your brain with fun puzzles and collect tons of cute characters too! Best Fiends is a 5-star rated mobile puzzle game on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it now for FREE. - NetSuite - Download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow your Profits” at NetSuite.Com/COURT. - The Real Real - Shop from designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Rolex, Cartier and hundreds more, at up to 90% off retail. Shop in-store, online, or download the app, and get 20% off select items with the promo code REAL. - The Mysterious Mr. Epstein Podcast -

29-year-old Rob McKernan and his wife, 26-year-old Colleen McKernan, spent New Years Eve together in 2014. But by the end of the night, Colleen would call 911, telling the dispatcher that she had just killed her husband. Prosecutors say she killed him in a fit of drunken anger, but her attorneys claim it was self-defense after being in an abusive relationship for years. This case doesn’t come down to what the jury thinks, but whether the justice system worked. This episode was researched and written by Kathleen McWilliams. Sponsors in this episode: - Stamps.com: Get a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the top of the homepage and type in COURT. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or Instagram at Co

Timothy Jones Jr. was a father of five children, and in August 2014, he had primary custody of them. By early September, both Tim and the kids would disappear - from their mom, their school, and their neighbors. NOTE: This episode DOES involve crimes committed against children, and although I will never glorify any of it, or focus on unnecessary details, listener discretion is advised. This episode was researched and written by Jennifer Tintner, from The Law & Crime Network. Follow her on Twitter @JenniferTintner. Sponsors in this episode: - NetSuite: Go to NetSuite.com/COURT to download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow Your Profits.” - The Lead Podcast: Subscribe to the new daily sports podcast from Wondery and The Athletic. From the story of how a terrible call in last year’s NFL playoffs made the entire city of New Orleans lose their minds, to in-depth interviews on mental health in sports, The Lead is your daily lens into the biggest stories of the day, told by the people who wri

In March 2018, police officers in Oskaloosa, Iowa, responded to a call of a fight in progress. When they arrived, 24-year-old Luke Van Hemert explained that he and his friend had gotten into a physical confrontation with three college basketball players, after a minor traffic accident. He made it seem like no big deal, but investigators would soon learn that one of the basketball players had been stabbed to death. At trial, the suspect claimed self-defense, but what would the evidence say? Sponsors in this episode: - NetSuite: Go to NetSuite.com/COURT to download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow Your Profits.” - Policygenius: If you need life insurance but you just haven’t gotten around to it, September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month. It’s as good a time as any to get started. Visit Policygenius.com, get quotes, and apply in minutes. - Care/of: Care/of is a subscription service that delivers vitamins and supplements customized for your specific health needs. For 25% off your f

In June 2015, 46-year-old Jason Carter called 911 to report that he had just found his mother deceased on the floor in her home. She had been shot twice. But investigators, along with Jason’s own family, quickly focused on him as the killer. Would a jury agree? This episode was researched and written by Jennifer Tintner. Follow her on Twitter @jennifertintner. Sponsors in this episode: - Policygenius - the easy way to shop for life insurance online. Go to PolicyGenius.com and find out how to supplement your workplace life insurance and better protect your family. - Stamps.com: Get a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the top of the homepage and type in COURT. Check out They Walk Among Us, one of the most popular true crime podcasts covering criminal cases in the UK. Available on Apple Podcasts and where you listen to podcasts. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreo

On March 23, 2016, a police officer in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, came across a horrifying scene while doing a routine patrol - a woman who was badly beaten and shot, by her own husband. The husband was charged with attempted murder and other charges related to the assault, but at his trial, he claimed he wasn’t trying to murder her at all. Would justice be served? Sponsors in this episode: - NetSuite: Go to NetSuite.com/Court to download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow Your Profits.” - Stamps.com: Get a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale without any long-term commitment. Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the top of the homepage and type in COURT. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. 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 March 2018, James Scandirito Jr. was charged with the murder of his father. But did he really do it? This episode was written by Jennifer Tintner, a writer and producer from Law & Crime. Sponsors in this episode: - Today in True Crime is Parcast’s first daily true-crime podcast. With new episodes each day, you’ll never run out of true crime content again. Follow Today in True Crime for free on Spotify and anywhere you listen to podcasts. - Netsuite: Download your FREE guide, “Seven Key Strategies to Grow your Profits” at Netsuite.com/COURT. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. 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 November 11, 1985, 43-year-old Guillermo Rodrigues was shot and killed in a restaurant parking lot in Brockton, Massachusetts. Police quickly zeroed in on 18-year-old Darrell Jones, who was adamant that he was innocent. In 1986, Darrell was convicted of murder and would spend the next 32 years in prison. In 2016, his conviction was vacated and he was released, but his nightmare was far from over when prosecutors decided to retry him. In this episode, I speak with Lisa Kavanaugh, Darrell’s attorney with the Massachusetts Innocence Project. Sponsors in this episode: Policygenius - Policygenius is the easy way to shop for life insurance online. In minutes, you can compare quotes from top insurers to find the right amount of coverage at the best possible price. True & Co. - Try the original True Body bra from True & Co. today with free and easy returns. Save 15% now when you go to Trueandco.com/junkie and enter the code: JUNKIE. Simple Contacts - Get $20 off your contacts at simplecontacts.com/ju

On June 7 2011, Amber Hilberling and her husband Josh got into an argument. Just minutes later, Josh fell out of their high-rise window, 17 stories to his death. Amber admitted to pushing him, but was it murder? Thanks to Caitlin Alexander, a local reporter for KTUL at the time, for speaking with me about this case. Follow Caitlin on Twitter @caitlinnews. Sponsors in this episode: - True and Co - Try the original True Body bra from Trueandco today with Free and Easy Returns. Save 15% now when you go to Trueandco.com/junkie and enter the code Junkie. - Stamps.com - Sign up for a 4-week trial PLUS free postage and a digital scale without any long term commitment by going to Stamps.com. Click on the microphone at the top of the homepage and type in COURT. Please consider supporting Court Junkie with as little as $3 a month via Patreon.com/CourtJunkie to receive ad-free episodes. Help support Court Junkie with $6 a month and get access to bonus monthly episodes. Follow me on Twitter @CourtJunkiePod or I

On April 14, 2015, two groups of men got into a physical confrontation at the St. Croix River at Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. By the time first responders arrived, one man was dead.    In today's episode, I speak with Eric Nelson, from the Halberg Criminal Defense Firm, about the trial that followed, in which he represented the defendant. Would the jury convict his client, or would they believe the claims of self-defense?   Sponsors in this episode: True and Co - Try the original True Body bra from True&Co. today with Free and Easy Returns. Save 15% now when you go to Trueandco.com/junkie and enter the code junkie. Pet Releaf - Pet Releaf makes all-natural, USDA Certified Organic CBD products for pets, using full spectrum CBD hemp oil that is grown and extracted in Colorado. With a wide variety of products, they have something to assist a range of ailments such as hip and joint pain, inflammation, situational anxiety and more. Go to petreleaf.com and enter the promo code JU