burdenofproofpod

Burden of Proof

Burden of Proof is a True Crime Podcast run by two paralegals, who happen to be generations apart! Elysia (Gen X) and Savannah (Gen Z) met at their law firm, and discovered a lifelong bond and mutual love for true crime. Come with them as they tell each other a new case each week, and use their paralegal experience to breakdown the legalities of what happens when the criminals get caught!

Author

burdenofproofpod

Category

True Crime

Latest episode

Jan 23, 2025

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Episodes

#TBT Case Number 66: Paul Stephen Kruse, Financial Advisor Turned Criminal 23.01.2025

Paul Kruse wasn't about the life he grew up in. He dreamed of living a life of luxury and he legitimately did for a little while. When things fell apart and he was forced to work for more modest means, he decided he was willing to lie, cheat and steal his way to the life he wanted.  He might have gotten away with his scheme for longer had he not made gross advances toward the underage daughter...

#TBT Case Number 49: The Gruesome Crimes of Taylor Schabusiness 16.01.2025

This week Savannah ventures way out of her comfort zone to give you all the details of Taylor Schabusiness and her crimes against Shad Thyrion, her former boyfriend. After Shad's mother found his head in a bucket at the bottom of her basement steps, police immediately found Taylor who was presumably the last person to see him alive. Taylor was literally caught red handed! Tune in to hear Savan...

#TBT Case Number 28: Michael Drejka, The Handicap Parking Sheriff 09.01.2025

What happened when the residents of Clearwater, Florida parked in the only handicap parking at the local convenience store? Michael Drejka happened. Tune in as Elysia covers this controversial case that practically has it all including a wannabe law enforcement officer, racial conflict, a justifiable use of force defense, a spicy trial, and audio clips of a police interview that left Savannah spee...

#TBT Case Number 9: The Weepy Voiced Killer: Paul Stephani 02.01.2025

What kind of murderer calls 911 after he brutally kills his victims and how does he get away with for 2 years? Find out when Savannah takes Elysia on this wild journey through the unbelievable actions of Paul Michael Stephani.    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!   Music By: https://www.fesliyanstudios.com/royalty-free-music/download/shady-business/2181

Case 115: The Covina Christmas Massacre 26.12.2024

On Christmas Eve 2008, the Ortega family held their annual holiday party with all their family and friends. As the party was winding down, Santa paid a visit as he had many years before. Unfortunately, it wasn't the Santa they all knew and loved. Instead of a bag full of goodies, he brought a nightmare that was unleashed on the entire family. Join us for this disturbing holiday tale as Elysia walk...

Case 114: The Wasp Woman Murder of Susan Cabot 19.12.2024

Susan Cabot, a rising Hollywood star in the 1950's, was known for her roles in cult classic films like The Wasp Woman. Unfortunately, her life off screen was marked by tragedy, failed romantic relationships and eventually mental health struggles. This in turn created the unhealthiest of dynamics between she and her only son, Timothy. In this episode, Savannah unravels the bizarre and heartbreaking...

Case 113: The Murder of Yolanda Holmes 12.12.2024

Yolanda Holmes was a beloved pillar of her community in Chicago, Illinois where she owned a small business and raised her son, Qawmane Wilson. After a night of rekindling a romance with her former boyfriend, Yolanda was killed while lying in bed next to him. According to him, there was an intruder that shot her before he could react but the two men fought until the gunman got away. The problem wit...

Case 112: The Disappearance of Danielle Locklear 05.12.2024

When Danielle Locklear left home on March 11, 2014 saying she was running to a friend's house down the street, her family had no idea their lives were about to change forever. After she failed to return, police were slow to act until her family tracked down the first clues that indicated she did not run away. Several potential suspects were ruled out including Danielle's on again/off again boyfrie...

Case 111: The Robertson Family, A Very Ungrateful Thanksgiving 28.11.2024

When Earl and Terry Robertson were found slaughtered in their home just days before Thanksgiving, detectives were stunned at how such horrific murders could take place in their small town of Rock Hill, South Carolina. It did not take them long to determine the Robertson family were not as picture perfect as they seemed, especially Earl and Terry's eldest son, Jimmy Robertson. Tune in as Elysia bre...

Case 110: The Pizza Thrill Kills, A Deadly Slice of Chaos 21.11.2024

In this bizarre and horrifying case, what began as a couple of outcast teenagers breaking the rules escalated into breaking the law and eventually committing the ultimate sin. On a seemingly ordinary night Tony's Pizza and Pasta took one last delivery order. Due to the late hour, owner Giorgio Gallara refused to let his teen driver, Jeremy Giordano go it alone. Unfortunately for them both, this de...

Case 109: The Michael Reese Murder, A Sinister Betrayal 14.11.2024

When Michael Reese was found murdered in his Alabama home, it initially appeared as a burglary gone wrong. However, as investigators dug deeper into this very average joe's life, they uncovered a chilling conspiracy involving his wife, Cindy Reese, and their former Pastor, Jeff Brown. Tune in as Elysia unravels the details of this case, examining the motives, the evidence, and the web of lies that...

Case 108: Patricia Rorrer, Femme Fatale or Faultlessly Framed? Presented by Buried Motives 07.11.2024

Join us for this very special episode where Christie and Melissa from Buried Motives presents their coverage of the Patricia Rorrer case! When Joann Katrinak and her 4 month old baby, Alex, went missing all detectives eyes were on her husband, Andy. That is until their bodies were found and evidence suggested that Andy's claims about his ex-girlfriend, Patty, started making sense. Was Patty spurre...

Case 107: Carly Gregg, The Deadly Daughter 31.10.2024

In the suburb of Brandon, Mississippi, Ashley and Heath Smylie were, by all accounts, doing their best to raise their family in a loving and healthy home. This included Carly Gregg, Ashley's daughter from a previous marriage. From the outside everything appeared pretty normal. Unfortunately, Carly's thoughts were anything but typical. Basically leading a double life, even her friends grew concerne...

Case 106: Buried Secrets, The Bonnie Haim Murder 24.10.2024

23-year-old Bonnie Haim, a young mother from Jacksonville, Florida, mysteriously disappeared in January of 1993. Initially a missing person's case, detectives' suspicion of foul play arose quickly with Michael Haim, Bonnie's Husband, at the center of the investigation. Bonnie had been preparing to leave her marriage and making plans to start a new life with their young son, Aaron. The case went co...

Case 105: Kirsten Costas, The Death of a Cheerleader 03.10.2024

In this episode, we dive into the tragic case of Kirsten Costas, a 15 year old high school student and cheerleader from the quiet suburb of Orinda, California, whose life was cut short by a fatal act of jealousy. Kirsten was lured out under false pretenses by her classmate Bernadette Protti and the evening took a horrifying turn. What drove this deadly encounter between the two girls? We explore t...

Case 104: The Rogers Family Murders 26.09.2024

In this episode, we dive into the haunting case of the Rogers family murders also known as the Tampa Bay murders, a crime that shocked Florida in 1989. While on a dream vacation, Joan Rogers and her two daughters, Michelle and Christe, were lured onto a boat by Oba Chandler. What started as a friendly offer turned into a horrific crime when the family was bound, assaulted, and thrown into Tampa Ba...

Case 103: Beneath the Garden, The Bruce McArthur Murders 19.09.2024

In this episode we unravel the horrifying story of Bruce McArthur, a seemingly harmless landscaper who preyed on Toronto's LGBTQ+ community. From his unsuspecting double life to the slow investigation that uncovered his gruesome crimes, we discuss each layer of the case. We touch on the lives of his victims, the mistakes and breakthroughs that shaped the investigation, and the broader social c...

Case 102: The Deadly Stalking of Kay Weden 12.09.2024

Kay was just your typical single mother who was trying to find companionship, love and perhaps a good role model for her son, Jason. In December of 1993, she thought she may have found just that with Victor Gunnarsson. Right when Kay thought the relationship was moving forward though, Victor disappeared. She didn't have much time to worry about Victor's disappearance because just six days...

Case 101: The Heavenly Creatures Murder AKA The Parker-Hulme Murder 05.09.2024

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme were just your typical teenage girls living in Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1950's, or so everyone thought. The pair became fast friends through their mutual health issues that excluded them from gym class. Then, they just as quickly established their mutual love for all things dark and depraved. The girls' became obsessed with each other and with living...

Case 100: Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan, He Had It Comin' 29.08.2024

To celebrate our 100th case, we discuss the women who inspired Maureen Dallas Watkins' play and longest running musical, Chicago. During the height of prohibition the beautiful and classy pair ended up in Cook County's murderess row after being charged with the murders of their lovers. Belva Gaertner, the real life counterpart to Velma Kelly, was accused of shooting her lover after a drunk...

Case Number 99: John List, The Boogeyman of Westfield 22.08.2024

Possibly America's most infamous family annihilator, John Emil List shocked all of the country in 1971 when he killed his mother, wife and three children before fleeing New Jersey. Convinced he was "saving their souls" the devoutly religious Lutheran saw the death as the only way they would be accepted into Heaven. Perhaps more shocking than their murders was the well laid plan that...

Case Number 98: Ariel Castro, The Monster of Cleveland 15.08.2024

The working class community on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio were shocked when two teenage girls went missing almost exactly one year apart. Little did they know another young woman had been taken before that as well. All three victims had one thing in common. They knew who the perpetrator was. Ariel Castro was fairly well known on the west side. Many people thought they knew the Little Puerto...

Case Number 97: Heaven's Gate Cult, The End of Times 08.08.2024

We pick up after Ti has died and Do shifts the group's focus with a slightly more religious view and a little less sci fi perspective. Though, they still very much prepare to "graduate" to the alien ship that they believe Ti will now send for them. In order to shed more of their humanity, many of the members make major physical sacrifices. The 1990's gave them a renewed hope that...

Case Number 97: Heaven's Gate Cult, The Early Days 01.08.2024

When Marshall "Herff" Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles met during a stint in the psych ward of their local hospital, the pair hit it off instantly. They decided to go on a spiritual journey together once released and left their lives behind. Influenced by a number of spiritual, religious and cultural practices, they came to the conclusion that they were to lead a group of people to Heaven....

Case Number 96: Sarah Jo Pender, The Alleged Mastermind 25.07.2024

Within a two month period, Sarah went from being a young woman who created a promising future for herself to housing three unemployed criminals. Her new boyfriend, Richard Hull, had vouched for his friend, Andrew Cataldi and Andrew's girlfriend, Tricia Nordman. Then Sarah met the couple and she thought they were great! Unfortunately, Sarah quickly learned why some people do judge a book by it&...

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