December 06, 2023
Allison Williams Dives into True-Crime Podcast 'Erased' Unveiling Historic Murder Trial with a Modern Twist
Allison Williams spilled the beans about her new podcast in a chat with CBS News. It's called "Erased: The Murder of Elma Sands," and it's not your typical historical saga. Williams stars in and produces this six-episode true-crime ride, describing it as a "historical podcast set in modern language." It unravels the chilling tale of Elma Sands, a 22-year-old whose murder trial in 1800 was defended by none other than Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.The eerie part? Sands' murder site is now tucked away in the basement of a swanky SoHo clothing store. Allison Flom, the podcast's creator, chimed in, saying the story sheds light on a justice system historically keen on erasing inconvenient truths. Williams, an advocate for criminal justice reform, highlighted how the tale revealed the broken roots of America's justice system, deteriorating over time. In the CBS News interview, Williams reflected on the broader perspective the podcast provided. She noted how the Constitution's first true application in a murder trial, a sort of "test drive," showcased the system's early flaws and foreshadowed its worsening over time. For Williams, it offered context on what was broken from the start, painting a vivid picture of the justice system's historical and ongoing struggles.
Read More / Listen on your favorite podcast platform
Twin Falls Police Seek Suspects in Double Homicide: Urgent Call for Community Assistance
The Twin Falls Police Department is urgently seeking information on two suspects involved in a shooting that claimed the lives of Jaime Bravo, 26, and Jesse Ortiz, 36, on December 1. The incident unfolded at The Tint Shop on Kimberly Road around 8:20 p.m. Authorities have labeled the suspects as armed and dangerous, sharing images and videos on their Facebook page, urging community cooperation for a swift resolution. One suspect may go by the nickname "El Guero." The police department, collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, emphasizes their commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and encourages anyone with information to contact them immediately.
Read More
Day 1: Trial Commences for Accused Murderer Lisa Dykes in Marisela Botello Case
The trial for Lisa Dykes, one of the three individuals accused of murdering Marisela Botello, a 23-year-old Seattle woman who went missing in Dallas in October 2020, started on Tuesday. Botello's mother, Ernestina Valadez Frutos, took the stand, recounting Botello's disappearance and the heartbreaking discovery of her remains in a trash bag nearly six months later. The prosecution alleges a love triangle involving Lisa Dykes, Nina Marano, and Charles Beltran, portraying Dykes as the assailant in Botello's death. Dykes's defense contends that evidence will prove otherwise.State prosecutor Robin Pittman detailed the alleged love triangle during opening arguments, emphasizing Dykes's financial support for Beltran and her subsequent marriage to Marano. The trio faces charges related to Botello's death, with Beltran claiming Dykes attacked Botello while they slept. Dykes's attorney, Heath Harris, disputes the prosecution's narrative, asserting that the evidence will not support the accusations against Dykes. The trial, initially set for January 2023, faced delays due to the recusal of Judge Amber Givens, accused of bias. The trials for Marano and Beltran are scheduled for February 20, 2024, and April 15, 2024, respectively.
Read More / Watch Now
Cold Case Revived: Rowan County Deputies Seek Answers in Decades-Old Infant Murder
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office is reopening a chilling cold case, delving into the long-unresolved murder of an unidentified newborn in March 1971. Recently rediscovered case files reveal that on March 20, 1971, deputies responded to Dunns Mountain Road, near White Rock Avenue, where the lifeless body of the infant was discovered. The autopsy confirmed that the newborn had been murdered before being abandoned.Former Sheriff John Stirewalt, who led the investigation at the time, considered it one of the most troubling cases he encountered. Despite exhaustive efforts, no arrests were made, and the infant remained unidentified. The death certificate notes the cremation of the body by the state a year later, a common practice for unidentified bodies during that era. However, the sheriff's office possesses evidence that can undergo DNA testing, potentially providing crucial information to identify the baby's family. This case stands as the oldest unsolved homicide on record for the department, prompting renewed efforts to seek justice and closure.
Death Row Serial Killer Indicted in Decades-Old Broward Cold Case: Justice Pursues, Regardless of Time
In a significant breakthrough, Broward County deputies believe they've identified the perpetrator in a nearly 25-year-old cold case murder after previously identifying the victim, Eileen Truppner, in May. Truppner, previously known as "Jane Doe," was brutally murdered and raped in December 1998, with her body found in a remote area off U.S. 27. The suspected killer, Lucious Boyd, a 64-year-old convicted murderer and rapist already on death row for another homicide, is now indicted for Truppner's murder.The breakthrough came through advancements in genealogy, allowing investigators to link Boyd to the cold case. Although Boyd faces a pending death sentence, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony emphasizes that their homicide cold case unit will relentlessly pursue other cases potentially linked to Boyd, regardless of the passage of time. Sheriff Tony stresses, "Justice has no expiration date," and encourages anyone who had contact with Boyd in the 1990s to come forward. Boyd is suspected of being connected to several other unsolved murders, reaffirming the commitment to seeking justice for victims like Eileen Truppner.
