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Episode 16 - TX v. Robert Leslie Roberson, III: Ignoring the Facts Doesn't Change Them
In Episode 16, Representative-elect Mitch Little of Texas House District 65 joined Lisa O'Brien to talk about State of Texas v. Robert Leslie Roberson, III. Since 2016, Roberson's post-conviction attorneys and advocates, who were recently joined by Texas legislators, have engaged in a campaign of disinformation with the courts and the public in which they claim that Roberson’s conviction rests on a diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma. Legislators issued a last-minute subpoena commanding Roberson’s appearance before their committee on October 21, 2024 and, with a last minute stay granted by the Texas Supreme Court, they were able to prevent his sentence from being carried out on October 17, 2024. We talked about the facts of the case, the truth about Nikki’s cause of death and the court proceedings and extra-judicial shenanigans of Roberson’s advocates. About Mitch Little:Mitch is a native Texan, who attended Harvard University where he graduated with honors in Government and played football for the Crimson for four years. In 2003, he earned his law degree from the University of Texas and is a successful business attorney. Mitch has fought for private property rights, represented victims of securities fraud, and helped entrepreneurs build companies in numerous industries, including real estate and oil and gas.. Mitch and his wife Kelly are proud parents to Molly, Matthew, and Lucy and they’re all active members of Sojourn Church in Carrollton.
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2:05:03
Episode 15 - OK v. Phillip Dean Hancock: A Tale of Two Murders
In Episode 15, Lisa O’Brien and guest host Jennifer Harmon talked about State of Oklahoma v. Phillip Dean Hancock. Hancock’s November, 2023 execution was preceded by controversy, including claims by their least favorite Oklahoma legislators (one former and one current), who claimed that Hancock was exercising his “God-given right to defend himself,” when he brutally murdered two men, both of whom were unarmed and posed no threat to him. They looked at the 2001 murders of Robert Jett, Jr. and James Lynch, III, the evidence against Hancock, his trial, direct appeals and state and federal post-conviction claims, including an effort to use DNA testing to prove his claims of self-defense. Then they talked about the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommendation of clemency, Governor Stitt’s last minute denial and Hancock’s execution on November 30, 2023. Jennifer Harmon is a well-known community advocate and Alert Neighbor captain in midtown Tulsa. Born and raised in Tulsa, Jennifer is a Navy veteran and holds a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary. Jennifer co-founded Justice For Peggy Gaytan in 2011.
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3:00:00
Episode 14 - MD v Adnan Masud Syed, with Robb Chadwick: A Victory for Victims' Rights in Maryland
This episode is dedicated to Robb Chadwick, who passed away in mid-December. Robb was a great friend, a supporter of this podcast and a true Southern gentleman. His insight and knowledge of the facts of many cases, along with his kind and calm debate strategy will be missed by many. RIP, Robb.In Episode 14, State of Maryland v. Adnan Masud Syed, Lisa was joined by Robb Chadwick, a former journalist with a life-long interest in the truth of true crime and fairness for victims. Since his retirement, Robb has researched and written about a number of cases — but none more than the case of the day: the murder of Hae Min Lee by Adnan Masud Syed. On January 13, 1999, Hae Min Lee disappeared after leaving Woodlawn High School, where she was a popular athlete and scholar. Police looking for her questioned several people, including her current boyfriend and ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed. On February 9, 1999, Hae’s body was found partially buried in a shallow grave in Leakin Park, in Baltimore City, Maryland. Three days later, on February 12, an anonymous tip led police to put Adnan Syed at the top of their suspect list. On February 27, 1999, Jay Wilds, an acquaintance of Syed, was interviewed by police and, early on the morning of February 28, 1999, led police to Hae’s missing vehicle. Syed was convicted and sentenced to Life, plus 30 years in 2000. The case has been the topic of multiple podcasts over the years and in 2022, his conviction was vacated by a pro-defendant judge in a fixed hearing at which no one represented the interests of Hae Min Lee, or her family. On August 30, 2024, the Supreme Court of Maryland affirmed the Appellate Court of Maryland’s reinstatement of Syed’s conviction and held that Hae’s brother, Young Lee, had the right to be heard at any future hearing seeking to vacate Syed’s conviction.
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2:09:02
Episode 13 - TX v. Linda Anita Carty, Part 3: The Lies Never End
In Episode 13, State of Texas v. Linda Anita Carty. In Part 3, Lisa and Kyle concluded their look at the case against Linda Carty, who remains on Texas Death Row after multiple unsuccessful efforts to win a new trial in state and federal court. They talked about the alternate suspects Carty has blamed for the 2001 kidnapping and murder of new mother Joana Rodriguez, whose body was found in the trunk of a car rented for Carty by her daughter and whose newborn son, Ray, was found, thankfully unharmed, in the back seat of Carty’s daughter’s car. Both cars were at the same time and in the same place. We’ll also talk about Carty’s multiple self-serving letters professing her innocence and complaining about her persecution by prison officials. Then they talked about her second successive state post-conviction writ, request to file a successive federal habeas claim and her request for appointment of new counsel, allegedly to assist with presentation of a petition for clemency.
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1:51:18
Episode 12 - TX v. Linda Anita Carty - Part 2: Misleading the Public
In Episode 12, State of Texas v. Linda Anita Carty, Part 2, Lisa and Kyle continued their look at the case against Carty, who was convicted of capital murder in 2002 for the May, 2001, kidnapping and murder of 20-year old Joana Rodriguez so that Carty could steal Joana’s 4-day old baby. Carty recruited drug dealers/thugs to commit a home invasion, promising them a large cache of drugs and money. Joana’s body was found in the trunk of a car rented for Carty by her daughter and Joana’s newborn son, Ray, was found in the daughter’s car, thankfully unharmed. They talked about Carty’s initial federal habeas claim and her first successive state post-conviction claims, which involved wild accusations of prosecutors’ threats and coercion by her co-defendants.
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