Criminal

Episode 75: The Gatekeeper

"I keep saying 'where's the body? Kill someone,'" Marilyn Stasio told us. She reads at least 200 crime novels a year to determine which are worthy of her prestigious "Crime Column" in the New York Times Book Review. We talk with her about crime as entertainment - and why people are so addicted to the genre that she can't stay away from: "My fingers just itch when I see something that's says 'murder.'"

You can find more of Marilyn Stasio's thoughts on crime fiction ...

Episode 74: Catastrophe

In 1993, more than 1,000 levees broke along the Mississippi River, flooding thousands of acres. In most cases the floods were seen as an “Act of God.” In one case, however, the flood was a crime: “knowingly causing a catastrophe.” This story comes to us from Noam Osband. 

For more information, check out Adam Pitluk's book, Damned to Eternity. 

Criminal is a proud member...

Episode 73: Carry A. Nation

At the turn of the century, Carry Nation was “America’s foremost lady hellraiser” and "the apostle of reform violence.” In her own words, she was "a bulldog running along at the feet of Jesus, barking at what He doesn't like."  

We liked her hatchet pins so much, we thought we'd try to make some of our own. They say "CRIMINAL" on the handle. Get yours here. 

Episode 72: Bears, Birds, and Bones

As long as 2,500 years ago, Native Americans placed the bones of the dead in giant mounds of earth in the shape of animals. The Effigy Mounds National Monument was created to protect the mounds - and the bones inside. But in 2011, a new superintendent discovered that the remains of 41 Native Americans had disappeared.  

In this episode, we use the term "Native American" because the story refers to legislation that uses that term. The National Park Service now uses “American In...

Episode 71: A Bump in the Night

Amber Dawn was 20 when she moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Enumclaw, Washington. On her very first night, she began to notice strange sounds. And they didn't stop. 

Criminal is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

If you haven't already, please review us on iTunes! It's an important way to help new listeners discover the show: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.

Say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for The Acc...

Episode 70: The Procedure

In 1967, a very unlikely group of individuals gathered to help women quietly break the law and obtain an abortion. The first step was to call a phone number. A recording of a woman's voice would tell you what do to next.

Criminal is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

If you haven't already, please review us on iTunes! It's an important way to help new listeners discover the show: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.

Say hello on Twitter, Fa...

Episode 69: Becoming Chief Brown

Shortly after David Brown was sworn in as the Dallas Chief of Police, his son shot and killed a police officer. Just before he retired as chief, 5 Dallas officers were shot and killed in what was said to be the deadliest attack for law enforcement since September 11th, 2001. Today on the show, we ask David Brown how he's changed after 33 years of policing.

Criminal is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

If you haven't already, please review us on...

Episode 68: All the Time in the World

The “body farm" at Texas State University is a place almost no one except researchers and law enforcement are able to see, because it's one of very few places in the world that deliberately puts out human bodies to decompose in nature. Forensic Anthropologists observe decomposition in order to help law enforcement discern when and how someone may have died. We asked if we could visit, and they agreed.

Criminal is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

Episode 67: Milk Carton Kids

On a Sunday morning in 1982, in Des Moines, Iowa, Johnny Gosch left his house to begin his usual paper route. A short time later, his parents were awakened by a phone call – it was a neighbor — their paper hadn't come. His would be the first face of a missing child ever printed on a milk carton. This story comes to us from reporter Annie Brown and our friends at 99% Invisible. We're on the road reporting new stories this week, and will be back on June 2nd with a brand new Crimi...

Episode 66: Bully

Skidmore, Missouri is a very small town. In the '70s, there was only one bar, one grocery store, and one bully. Ken McElroy was so ruthless and intimidating that even law enforcement looked the other way. He terrorized the town for decades, until they finally fought back. 

We spoke with Harry MacLean, author of In Broad Daylight.

Criminal is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

If you haven't already, please review us on iTunes! It...