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

Case Number 29: Belle Gunness, Hell’s Princess: Part 1 02.03.2023

Hold on to your butt! Savannah begins winding up her black widow mini series with the one, the only, Belle Gunness. There's far more to Belle's life than just killing her husbands though! For example, Elysia is still asking "Where did she get all those children!?" and "How did NO ONE question all those people disappearing from her farm!?" She's hoping those questions get answered in Part 2. Stay t...

Case Number 28: Michael Drejka, The Handicap Parking Sheriff 23.02.2023

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...

Case Number 27: Louisa Lindloff, The Seeress Who Killed 16.02.2023

In this second installment of black widow killers, accessorize your corset with a witches hat or cloak and look into the past through Louisa's crystal ball as Savannah talks of seances, predicted deaths and insurance fraud. Elysia gets hung up on all the narcissism and they both establish that you cannot gaslight science!    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources:...

Case Number 26: The Jenny Jones Show Murder 09.02.2023

If you've ever thought to yourself "How could 90's daytime talk shows get any worse?", but haven't heard of this case... buckle up! Elysia talks Savannah through the drama filled adventure of how one episode of The Jenny Jones Show ended in tragedy. It's got salacious tv, a murder with a gay panic defense, and a civil suit led by a showboat of an attorney.   Let us know what you think. Find us on...

Case Number 25: Louise Vermilya, The Woman Who Loved Death 02.02.2023

Slap on a corset and travel back to the early 1900's with us as Savannah starts her 3 part series of black widow killers! Was Louise's strange fascination with death the reason for killing or was it the insurance money she truly loved? Savannah answers that and other ridiculous Elysia questions like "Wait... Was there air conditioning then?"    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and...

Case Number 24: The Murder of Laurie Show 26.01.2023

While briefly home alone one early morning, 16 year old Laurie is brutally attacked. She survived just long enough for her mother to hear her last words. Did she in fact whisper the name of her killer as her mother claims? One thing is certain, the long history of stalking, bullying and assault by the accused did not help their case! Tune in as Elysia attempts to untangle the web of lies one suspe...

Case Number 23: America’s KNOWN Child, AKA The Boy in the Box 19.01.2023

Savannah's at it again! She has a knack for weaving a legal lesson through even when the case is unsolved! Even if you've heard the latest news on the Boy in the Box, tune in as Savannah also dives in to introduce the players that have been investigating this 60+ year mystery. She and Elysia also discuss Safe Haven Laws and the importance of all children having a viable and safe option as they gro...

Case Number 22: Pamela Smart, The Media Sensation 12.01.2023

The first criminal trial to be televised live in U.S. history. It's difficult to imagine anyone has not heard about this case! With two new generations having been too young or not yet born, it is possible though. Listen in as  Elysia takes Savannah on this roller coaster of a case and trial. Buckle up! This case has everything! A marriage gone wrong, an especially icky affair, and conspiracy.   ...

Case Number 21: Chrisley Does Not Know Best 05.01.2023

What happens when two of Savannah's favorite worlds collide? She shifts gear to cover all the juicy legal details of one of her beloved reality tv families and their downfall into fraud and tax evasion! Listen in while Savannah explains to Elysia who the Chrisley's are, why they're serving time, and how it may not harm their popularity in the long run.    Let us know what you think. Find us on Ins...

Case Number 20: The Christmas Sleighings 22.12.2022

Merry Christmas! Join us for this holiday special to find out how the Downtown Posse of Dayton, Ohio spent Christmas of 1992. Elysia walks us through the Winter Nightmare Land of the groups 3 day killing spree while Savannah attempts to make sense of it all.   Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: Oxygen True Crime: Homicide for the Holidays, S4 E2, Six Slays of...

Case Number 19: Adam Strong, The Baby Wipes of Serial Killers 15.12.2022

What happens when a man clogs his apartment building's drain with his stomach churning secret? He unsuccessfully attempts to unclog it in a most ridiculous way before plumbers call the police, of course! Tune in as Savannah covers what might possibly be our grossest case yet and Elysia wants to crawl out of her skin.    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: http...

Case Number 18: Anthony Sowell, The Cleveland Strangler Part Two 12.12.2022

How does a convicted sex offender who has regular check in's with the police department kill 11 women over a period of two and a half years without being caught? Spoiler alert: It has to do with victim "credibility" or in other words victim shaming. Listen in on Part Two where Elysia covers Anthony's most heinous crimes and we discuss why it is some true crime cases are seemingly overlooked.   Let...

Case Number 18: Anthony Sowell, The Cleveland Strangler Part One 08.12.2022

How does a seemingly sweet kid grow up into a horrific serial killer? Join Savannah on the struggle bus as Elysia dives deep into the disturbing details of Anthony Sowell's childhood and mental health history on this part one of two episodes.    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: https://www.cleveland.com/crime/2021/02/cleveland-serial-killer-anthony-sowell-d...

Case Number 17: The Mary Morris Murders 01.12.2022

What happens when two women named Mary Morris from the same area are killed just days apart in similar fashion but investigators can find no connection? Conspiracy theories are born , of course! Join us as Savannah takes us through the strange and fascinating coincidences of our first (possibly only) unsolved case and Elysia jumps on the conspiracy theory bandwagon but goes even bigger!   Let us k...

Case Number 16: Paul Michael Merhige, The Unwelcome Guest 24.11.2022

How do you get yourself uninvited to future family Thanksgiving dinners? Just invite your mentally unstable son without telling the hosts like the Merhige's! Join us for an unforgettable Thanksgiving tale of a family torn apart by more than politics, a brief discussion about peeing one's pants, and Savannah's love of civil litigation.    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Faceboo...

Case Number 15: Jasmine Richardson and Jeremy Steinke AKA The Crapbag Werewolf 17.11.2022

What could possibly go wrong when a 23 year old man who believes he's a 300 year old werewolf falls in love with an 12 year old rebellious girl? For the Richardson family, everything. Take this remarkable journey with us as Savannah tells the facts and Elysia can't stop calling Jeremy "Crapbag".    Let us know what you think. Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/w...

Case Number 14: Joshua Davies, The Alpha Narcissist 10.11.2022

What does a teenage boy do when his narcissistic abuse no longer has a hold over his ex-girlfriend? Plots her murder at his weekly breakfast club, of course! Listen in as Elysia walks Savannah through the audacious actions of this "alpha male" while simultaneously giving all the young women listening a public service announcement on the red flags of a narcissist.   Let us know what you think! Find...

Case Number 13: Carl Tanzler and His Corpse Bride 03.11.2022

What does a man do when he meets the woman of his dreams but she is dying? He forces experimental medical treatment on her and then keeps her body after she dies in an attempt to preserve her until he can resurrect her, of course! Join us for a Halloween wind down as Savannah shares some all too up close and personal details about Carl Tanzler and Elysia just tries not to lose her lunch.    Let us...

Bonus Halloween Episode: The Trick or Treat Murder and The Haunting of the Pensacola Lighthouse 31.10.2022

Who in the true crime world doesn't love a good spooky story? How about two spooky stories? Join Elysia and Savannah as they uncover a trick-or-treat visit gone wrong and discuss creepy wax figures that are the least of the problems in the Pensacola Lighthouse.   Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: https://calisphere.org/item/5faa0f452cbc1b414990c726c75ec83f/...

Case Number 12: Scott Purk, The Ninja Arsonist 27.10.2022

What does a man with a sorted past do after committing arson? Tell police about all his other crimes and then commit another arson to throw them off his trail, of course! Join us as Elysia blows Savannah's mind with this tale of intrigue, arson, burglary, murder and the innocent ferret whose death tipped off investigators.    Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!     Sourc...

Case Number 11: Tyler Hadley, The King of Killer Parties 20.10.2022

What does a teenage kid do when he wants to throw a killer party but his parents won't allow it? He kills them first, of course! Tune in while Savannah lets Elysia know how the party went and what Tyler is up to today.    Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources:   2227191002 https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/crime/st-lucie-county/2018/09/26/tyler-hadley-resentencin...

Case Number 10: The Devil Worshiper: Pazuzu Algarad, Part Two 17.10.2022

Is someone really buried in Pazuzu's back yard? Find out if the cadaver dogs failed to find what was right under their noses when Elysia wraps up the ending of this tragic story that will leave you wanting to know more.  Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources:   The Devil You Know, Season 1 on HULU https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/amber-burch-pleads-gu...

Case Number 10: The Devil Worshiper: Pazuzu Algarad, Part One 13.10.2022

Did the devil protect him or did no one want to stand up to this mentally ill man? Tune in as Elysia begins to unravel what happened in the small town of Clemmons, North Carolina and Savannah slow blinks A LOT as she processes.  Let us know what you think! Find us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources:   The Devil You Know, Season 1 on HULU https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/amber-burch-p...

Case Number 9: The Weepy Voiced Killer: Paul Stephani 06.10.2022

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 Number 8: The Exoneration of Kevin Strickland 29.09.2022

How does an innocent man spend 43 years wrongfully imprisoned for killing 3 people and injuring a 4th? Find out when Elysia walks Savannah through this remarkable case of questionable investigation tactics, contaminated witness memory, and egregious court procedure.   Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!   Sources: https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=6081#:~:...

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