182: Teen Ritual Murders, Suitcase Killer Trial, Mica Miller Updates, & Treadmill Dad Destroyed
In this episode of SERIALously, the hosts provide updates on several ongoing high-profile criminal cases. They discuss the pretrial proceedings for Richard Allen, who confessed multiple times to the infamous Delphi murders, and the revocation of a plea deal for three 9/11 conspirators. The episode also examines a controversial plea deal in a case involving a father killing his son, and the erratic behavior of a defendant in another murder trial.
Additionally, the hosts examine a settlement reached by the family of Micah Miller after her death, their efforts to enact "Micah's Law," and tease coverage of the Wade Wilson serial killer case. The episode provides an overview of developments in these captivating criminal cases, foreshadowing in-depth exploration of some in future episodes.
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1-Page Summary
Delphi murders and 9/11 conspiracy trial updates
Delphi murder pretrial
Richard Allen confessed over 60 times to murdering Abby Williams and Libby German in 2017. However, Sanger-Katz says his defense claims the confessions were coerced by poor prison conditions. Allen was moved to a county jail to prepare for his October 2024 trial.
9/11 plea deal revoked
Three defendants agreed to plead guilty to 9/11 conspiracy charges in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. However, after outrage from victims' families, Sanger-Katz reports the plea deal was annulled.
Controversial plea deal in treadmill murder case
Christopher Gregor received only 25 years for killing his 6-year-old son Corey, despite disturbing evidence and the prosecution seeking 40 years. Brianna Micciolo, Corey's mother, delivered a heartbreaking statement demanding harsher punishment.
Erratic behavior in Sarah Boone's murder trial
Accused of killing her boyfriend George Torres, Sarah Boone has fired multiple attorneys and now wants to represent herself despite previously forfeiting that right, Barbaro explains. Her bizarre actions have repeatedly delayed her trial.
Settlement in Micah Miller's death; focus on new law
Micah Miller's family reached a settlement with her husband JP to avoid a wrongful death lawsuit over her suicide, which they attribute to his abuse. The family is now advocating for "Micah's Law" to criminalize coercive control.
Upcoming podcast coverage previews
Barbaro and Sanger-Katz announce an in-depth look at the Wade Wilson serial killer case after new jail call recordings reignited public interest. They also tease an upcoming episode on a "mind-blowing" case the podcast has followed closely.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The confessions of Richard Allen being coerced could be challenged by arguing that multiple confessions increase the likelihood of their veracity, and that proper legal procedures exist to determine the validity of such claims.
- The decision to revoke the 9/11 plea deal might be criticized for potentially compromising the integrity of the legal process, which should be based on law and justice rather than public opinion.
- The sentence given to Christopher Gregor could be seen as a result of the legal system's discretion in sentencing, taking into account factors that may not be immediately apparent to the public.
- The demand for harsher punishment by Brianna Micciolo, while understandable from a grieving parent's perspective, could be counterargued by emphasizing the importance of following legal guidelines and the judge's discretion in sentencing.
- Sarah Boone's erratic behavior and decision to represent herself could be defended as her legal right, despite the delays, as every defendant has the right to self-representation if they so choose.
- The settlement in Micah Miller's case could be criticized for potentially allowing financial compensation to replace a thorough legal examination of the facts surrounding her death.
- Advocating for "Micah's Law" could be met with concerns about the potential for such laws to be misapplied or the difficulty in defining and proving coercive control in a legal context.
- The podcast's coverage of the Wade Wilson case and the teased "mind-blowing" case could be critiqued for possibly sensationalizing criminal cases for entertainment, which might affect public perception and the involved parties' right to privacy.
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of the legal system by attending public trials in your area to observe the dynamics of court proceedings firsthand.
- Observing trials can give you a better grasp of the complexities involved in legal cases, such as the influence of public opinion, the challenges faced by defendants, and the intricacies of plea deals. For example, you might witness how attorneys argue for or against certain sentences, which can provide a clearer picture of the justice system beyond what's reported in the media.
- Enhance your awareness of legislative advocacy by researching and supporting local initiatives that aim to introduce new laws or amend existing ones.
- By getting involved with advocacy groups or campaigns, you can contribute to societal change in areas you're passionate about, such as laws addressing coercive control. This could involve signing petitions, writing to legislators, or participating in awareness campaigns, which can all be powerful ways to help bring about legal reforms.
- Cultivate empathy and understanding for those affected by crime by volunteering with support organizations for victims and their families.
- Engaging with these organizations can provide practical assistance and emotional support to those impacted by crime. You might help with fundraising, offer administrative support, or simply lend an ear to those who need to talk, thereby playing a role in their healing process and gaining a deeper appreciation for the human side of criminal cases.
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High-profile criminal cases and trials
This article covers recent developments in high-profile criminal cases and trials, including the Delphi murder case and updates on the 9/11 conspiracy trial.
Pretrial hearings and rulings in the Delphi murder case of Abby Williams and Libby German
Defendant's Confessions and Defense's Coercion Claim
Richard Allen, the accused murderer in the Delphi case, is currently undergoing pretrial hearings. Allen is charged with the 2017 murders of 13-year-old Abby Williams and 14-year-old Libby German. The victims went hiking on February 13, 2017, and were reported missing, with their bodies discovered the following day.
Chilling evidence found on Libby's phone, including an audio recording and a video of a man walking towards them, played a significant role in identifying the primary suspect. Investigators charged 50-year-old Richard Allen with the murder, supporting their case with video footage, eyewitness accounts, and a bullet linked to Allen's gun found at the crime scene.
During pretrial hearings, it has come to light that Allen confessed to the murders over 60 times since his arrest, with details known only to the murderer. After being placed in an isolation unit of a maximum-security prison, Allen began confessing, reportedly following a newfound religious belief.
However, Allen’s defense team is challenging the legitimacy of the confessions, arguing that they were coerced due to the poor conditions of confinement and lack of adequate mental health care leading to stress-induced psychosis.
The defense maintains that Allen’s erratic behavior, which started concurrent with the confessions, was due to the harsh conditions he faced. They successfully petitioned the judge to relocate Allen to a county jail closer to his ...
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High-profile criminal cases and trials
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The number of confessions alone does not necessarily indicate guilt, as false confessions can occur under duress or psychological pressure.
- The defense's claim of coercion could be valid if the conditions of confinement were indeed harsh enough to induce a stress-induced psychosis, which could undermine the reliability of the confessions.
- The relocation of Richard Allen might be criticized for potentially giving the defense an unfair advantage by being closer to the lead defense attorney, although this could also be seen as ensuring a fair trial by allowing adequate access to legal counsel.
- The revocation of the plea deal in the 9/11 conspiracy trial could be seen as a failure to consider the potential benefits of obtaining more information about the attack ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your understanding of the criminal justice system by attending a local pretrial hearing to observe the process firsthand. By doing this, you'll gain a real-world perspective on how evidence is presented and how defense arguments are made, similar to the complexities highlighted in Richard Allen's case. For example, you might see how attorneys argue for or against the admissibility of certain types of evidence, which can provide a deeper appreciation for the legal nuances that play out in high-profile cases.
- Develop critical thinking skills by starting a journal where you analyze and question news reports or legal cases you come across. Write down your thoughts on the reliability of different types of evidence, the potential for coercion in confessions, and the impact of public opinion on legal proceedings. This practice can sharpen your ability to assess information critically, much like scrutinizing the factors that led to Richard Allen's charges based on evidence from a phone, eyewitness accounts, and ballistic analysis.
- You can support the legal process by learning abo ...
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Controversial plea deals and sentencing
The sentencing in the case of a father who killed his 6-year-old son, Corey, on a treadmill has sparked outrage due to its perceived leniency.
Treadmill murder case results in light 25-year sentence for father who killed 6-year-old son
Christopher Gregor was convicted of manslaughter and child endangerment following the tragic death of his son, Corey, who died from blunt force trauma and related injuries. CCTV footage captured Corey repeatedly falling on a treadmill as Christopher increased the speed and even bit him on the head. Despite this evidence and the prosecution's request for a 40-year maximum sentence, the judge sentenced Christopher to only 25 years, citing his limited criminal history. Christopher requested a sentence that took into account his entire life history rather than just the 12 days during which the crimes occurred.
Corey's mother Brianna gave a heartbreaking victim impact statement expressing her outrage at the lenient sentence
Brianna Micciolo, Corey's mother, delivered a powerful victim impact statement during the trial, demanding justice for her son and urging for the maximum sentence for her ex-partner Christopher Gregor. Despite her past substance abuse, which was mentioned during the trial, she highlighted her current sobriety and insinuated that her son would be proud of her efforts to overcome addiction. Brianna explicitly stated that she did not believe Christopher showed any remorse, alluding to the possibility that the abuse and subsequent killing stemmed from spite or deeper psychological issues.
Brianna detailed the abusive dynamics of the relationship between Christopher and Corey, underscoring that her so ...
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Controversial plea deals and sentencing
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The relationship dynamics between Christopher, Corey, and Brianna were complex and marked by abuse. Brianna highlighted the abusive nature of the relationship, suggesting that Christopher neglected his role as a protector. Despite the abuse, Corey still loved and looked up to his father. Brianna ...
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Bizarre and puzzling murder cases
Sarah Boone, accused of murdering boyfriend by locking him in a suitcase, continues bizarre behavior in court
Boone has fired multiple attorneys and now wants to represent herself, despite the judge previously ruling she forfeited that right
Sarah Boone’s murder trial, following the death of her boyfriend George Torres, has been marred by her strange behavior in court. Boone, who claimed her boyfriend's death was an accident resulting from a game of hide and seek that went wrong, has been charged with second-degree murder. Despite initially stating that she fell asleep after they had been drinking, investigators have found evidence suggesting that Torres’ death was no accident.
Boone was arrested on February 25, 2020, and since then, her inability to maintain legal representation has led to repeated delays in her trial. Over the course of her legal proceedings, Boone has fired eight different attorneys, citing disagreements on how to approach her defense.
Although Boone initially gave up her right to self-representation, she has since attempted to represent herself in court. In a perplexing move, she distributed a handwritten flyer seeking an attorney who desired fame on national television but later appeared in court requesting another chance to have legal representation.
Boone's erratic actions and inabili ...
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Bizarre and puzzling murder cases
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore the legal system by attending a public trial to better understand courtroom dynamics and the challenges of self-representation. By witnessing a trial firsthand, you'll see the complexity of legal proceedings and the importance of experienced counsel, which may provide insight into the potential consequences of erratic behavior and self-representation as seen in the case mentioned.
- Start a journal to document your observations of human behavior in stressful situations by watching publicized court cases or legal dramas. This can help you recognize patterns of behavior, like those described, and understand how they might impact real-life outcomes. It's a way to develop a keener sense of human psychology without formal study.
- Engage in rol ...
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Domestic violence and abusive relationships
Micah Miller's tragic death has become a catalyst for change as her family shifts their focus to passing a new law after reaching a settlement with her estranged husband, JP Miller, to avoid a wrongful death lawsuit.
Settlement reached between Micah Miller's family and estranged husband JP, avoiding wrongful death lawsuit
After Micah Miller's death on April 27th from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, her family pursued legal action against her estranged husband, JP Miller, alleging that his abusive behavior was a key factor in her suicide. There was significant discussion of a potential wrongful death lawsuit, suggesting that JP was emotionally, psychologically, and possibly physically abusive toward Micah. However, JP categorically denied these claims, attributing her death to mental health issues.
Despite their belief that years of abuse led to Micah's death, Micah's family has reached a settlement with JP, leading to a termination of all litigation between them. This decision will allow Micah's memory to be honored without the burden of an ongoing legal battle. Additionally, South Carolina criminal investigators, following up after the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, found nothing new to report regarding the circumstances of her death.
Micah's sister says the focus now is on passing "Micah's Law" to criminalize coercive control in relationships
Moving past the legal settlement, Micah's family's attention is now on "Micah's Law," which aims to criminalize coercive control in relationships. This bill defines coercive control as behaviors that are coercive or controlling, induce fear of violence on at least two occasions, or cause mental distress affecting daily activities.
Despite Sierra Miller's initia ...
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Domestic violence and abusive relationships
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Educate yourself on the signs of coercive control by reading up on the subject through reputable sources like academic journals or websites dedicated to domestic abuse prevention. Understanding the nuances of coercive control can help you recognize it in your relationships or those around you, enabling you to offer support or seek help when necessary.
- Start a book club with friends or community members focusing on novels and non-fiction works that deal with themes of coercive control and relationship dynamics. This can foster a supportive environment for discussing difficult topics and raise awareness in a more informal, personal setting.
- Create a personal safety plan that includes ...
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Upcoming podcast coverage and announcements
Annie Elise is preparing engaging and comprehensive coverage on true crime cases, including an in-depth exploration of the Wade Wilson serial killer case and an upcoming episode on a mind-blowing case that has been closely followed by the podcast.
Annie Elise plans deep dive coverage of the Wade Wilson serial killer case
Annie Elise has announced plans for an in-depth look at the Wade Wilson serial killer case. The case has been reinvigorated with public interest due to the release of new jail call recordings between Wilson and his girlfriend, Mila. In conjunction with these events, Wilson has filed an ex parte motion, arguing that he had ineffective counsel and deserves new representation. Listeners are gripped by the discussion surrounding his innocence and are eagerly awaiting the deep dive update in this controversial case.
New jail call recordings between Wilson and his girlfriend have been released, sparking renewed interest in the case
The newly released jail calls between Wade Wilson and his girlfriend have sparked renewed public interest. In light of these calls and his own motion about the effectiveness of his legal counsel, a deep dive into the case is forthcoming.
Upcoming podcast events and how to join
Serial us Lee with Annie Elise has announced an upcoming live tour across various cities including San Diego, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Brea. The live tour promises brand new exclusive cases and engaging Q&A sessions. ...
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Upcoming podcast coverage and announcements
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your understanding of true crime by starting a discussion group with friends or online communities to analyze cases like the Wade Wilson one, sharing theories and insights based on the new information released.
- Gather a group of friends who are also interested in true crime, and create a regular meetup, either in person or through video calls, to discuss each new development in the case. Use the new jail call recordings as a starting point for your discussions, and encourage each member to bring their own research or questions to the table.
- You might explore the psychological and legal aspects of true crime by enrolling in a free online course or attending a local community college class to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in cases like the one covered in the podcast.
- Look for courses that cover criminal psychology, forensics, or criminal law. Engaging with these subjects academically can provide a more structured and comprehensive perspective on the cases you follow, enhancing your ability to critically analyze and understand the intricacies of each case.
- You ...
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