Episode 540: Anna George and the Murder of George Saxton

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

Dive into the chilling dichotomy of beauty and horror with Bailey Sarian in the "Murder, Mystery & Makeup" podcast. In an episode where aesthetics meet the macabre, Bailey shares her excitement about her latest collaboration with Melt Cosmetics on the Fatal Lures collection—a vegan and cruelty-free array embodying the allure of dangerous beauty—with shades like "Pick Your Poison" and sets that promise to enrapture with a "Kiss of Death." Beyond the glitz of her makeup launch, she offers heartfelt thanks to her supportive audience, sharing tidbits of her life and teasing the thrilling depth she's about to plunge into regarding a harrowing real-life narrative.

Ready your nerves as Bailey transitions from the glow of eyeshadows to the gloom of the Snowtown Murders. Deep in the heart of Australia's most brutal crime stories, Sarian unpacks the twisted paths of John Bunting and Robert Wagner, whose disturbing ideologies lead to a spree of vigilantism-turned-murder. Her storytelling captures the complex web of human behavior and misguided justice that spiraled into gruesome acts, highlighting how a vigilante group operated under the guise of serving what they believed was right. Bailey's closing reflections offer a somber reminder of the episode's gravity and promise a continued exploration of this dark chapter in future segments, juxtaposed with the anticipation of her beauty line's reveal.

Immerse yourself in the murky depths of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," where Bailey Sarian uncovers the mystery of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Sarian paints a vivid picture of a world in turmoil, where societal chaos, strained ethnic associations, poverty, and widespread prostitution rule the streets of Whitechapel, East London. As she narrates the gruesome killings that plagued the area, Sarian explores the chilling account of Mary Ann Nichols and the shockingly precise murder of Annie Chapman, stimulating speculations of an accomplice's involvement.

This gripping podcast by Bailey Sarian doesn't stop at the surface, delving deeper into the struggles of nineteenth-century criminal investigations. Sarian promises to unpack theories, mysterious letters, and potential suspects in future episodes, actively engaging listeners for input. Amid the thrilling narratives, Sarian intermingles reminders of her collaboration with Casetify and intriguing glimpses into her personal interests such as makeup experiments, creating a unique blend of mystery, history, and personal insights.

Join Ash Kelley and Alaina Urquhart as they dive into the beguiling disappearance of the Sodder children on "Morbid: A True Crime Podcast." The duo begins with light-hearted tales from their trip to Bermuda, weaving in a mix of snorkeling mishaps and comical misidentifications, setting a disarming tone before plunging into darker waters. As they transition from the personal to the perplexing, the episode introduces the true crime segment with a well-placed advertisement that complements the podcast’s theme of survival against the odds.

Delving deep into the chilling Christmas Eve tragedy of 1945, the hosts dissect the Sodder family's catastrophic loss as their home is consumed by flames and their children seemingly disappear into thin air. Ash and Alaina meticulously go through the event's harrowing details, George Sodder's controversial political stances, and the eerie foreshadowing prior to the disaster. Skeptical of the official narrative, the episode explores a slew of alternative theories, leading audiences down a rabbit hole of potential suspects, leads, and the family’s relentless pursuit of answers in the face of institutional inefficiencies and possible corruption. "Morbid" not only captivates with its storytelling but invites listeners to be part of the conversation, drawing to a close with a call to action for fan engagement across social media platforms.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI is about the Osage Reign of Terror—the 1920s organized killings of members of the oil-rich Osage Indians. Powerful and bigoted whites systematically exploited and murdered the Osage people to expropriate their wealth, showing us the horrors that result when racism and greed align. The murders were also a major catalyst for the growth of the FBI, and the triumph of its rational and scientific vision of law enforcement—and a shift away from the era of frontier justice, corrupt and incompetent local sheriffs, and rogue “lawmen.”

Over a half-century after the civil rights movement sought justice for African Americans, prominent movements such as Black Lives Matter continue fighting to expose and resist injustice. In this social landscape, Bryan Stevenson’s message is timely: The US justice system consistently denies justice to society’s most vulnerable members.

In his 2014 book, Just Mercy, Stevenson examines the justice system’s pervasive failures toward marginalized populations, especially Black Americans. To illustrate these failures, Stevenson discusses numerous criminal cases, most prominently the 1989 case of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama.

In this guide, we’ll discuss Stevenson’s analysis of the McMillian case and his evidence of extreme punishments doled out more broadly by the justice system. Moreover, we’ll consider Stevenson’s diagnosis of the root problems with the American conception of justice and his suggestions for repairing it. We’ll also examine arguments from other sources about how to improve the justice system and provide further context for the cases that Stevenson cites.