History is Criminal

High society meets down right insanity as we jump back to 1906 New York and a tale of lust, sex, and murder between multiple millionaires. It all centers around a beautiful young actress/model and three men that each wanted her for themself. Join us for the murder of Stanford White.

Joseph Vacher terrorized France in the 1890s. His brutal killings stand alongside Jack the Ripper and HH Holmes for their gore. But then why is Vacher almost forgotten to history, outside of France. Join us as we jump back to 1890s France and the story of one of the sickest people you've likely never heard of, the killer of little shepherds.

1884 Austin Texas, someone is committing unspeakable acts of violence against young African-American servant girls. A city will become frozen with horror and police seem unable to catch a break in the case. Before HH Holmes, before Jack the Ripper there was the Austin Servant Girl Annihilator.

We jump back to 1884 South Atlantic for a nasty story about what happens when you get lost at sea and run out of food. Really the name gives it away. But what about the age-old doctrine of necessity, that is "what is necessary is legal"? How far would we all go to save our lives, of the lives of others?

I didn't have time this week, so I rerecorded a "classic". What happens when society tells at an insane man with serious depression and paranoia to drink away his troubles. Well, just what you think is what happens. Join us in 1715 Rhode Island for the crazy story of James Meechem.

We jump back to 1912 France and the first case ever solved with trace evidence. A beautiful young woman is killed. Police suspected her jealous boyfriend. The only problem is his airtight alibi supported by numerous eyewitnesses. It will take a new type of detective to solve this mystery.

This week we jump back to 1892 Argentina and 1905 London to see how fingerprints were first used to convict murderers. Two horrible crimes will rely on "new" science in order to gain justice for the victims. The suspects will be betrayed by their own unique set of digits.

Join us as we jump way, way back to 399 BC Athens Greece and a man is tried for, among other things, teaching people to think for themselves. Socrates (not so crates) might be the father of modern thought, but that would stop him from being accused of indoctrination of the youth. Wow, are we sure this is 399 BC Greece?

Jump back to 1914 Colorado and the Coalfield War. What happens when the wealthiest family in the world wants to place profit above worker? What happens when those workers decide they won't take any more. Join us for the Ludlow Massacre.

You've likely heard of John Davison Rockefeller who controlled much of the US economy in his lifetime. But what about the man that raised him, Devil Bill. Did growing up with a criminal con man father give John D the tools he needed to become one of the richest men to every live?

This week, in a shortened episode, we jump back to 1849 London and the tale of a murder that would shock Victorian society and show us the Victorian's love of crime and punishment. A vixen, who seem able to attract men like, well honestly an outgoing woman in Victorian England has a tough decision to man. But Marie Manning will try to have her cake and eat it too. If just she and her husband F...

Join us as we jump back to the 1800's West Coast of the United States and the wonderful world of shanghaiing AKA crimping. Hit a pub down on the bay front and wake up the next morning signed on as a crewman for a trip to China. It happened more than you know. And what does this have to do with a Portland, Oregon tourist attraction?

Join us as we jump back to 1918 New Orleans. In 1918 a crazy axe wielding killer sets his sites on New Orleans. And for some reason seems to really have an issue with Italian grocers. In the middle of his killing spree a jazz loving letter creates a weird tie in for the whole city.

We jump back this week, after taking a week off sick, to the Great Chicago Fire.

How did the founder of Pennsylvania not only help establish religious freedom, but also trial by a jury actually meaning a trial by jury? Join us as we jump to 1660s England for the trail of William Penn.

In this episode we witness numerous horrible crimes, and not just my assault on the French language. Animals have lost all sense of civilization as we dig into the animals on trial for everything from murder to disrupting the peace.

Someone other than Jack the Ripper was terrorizing London in the 1880s. While forgotten, the killer was every bit as afoul as the Ripper. Join us as we jump back to 1880s London and the Thames Torso Murders.

Join us as we jump back to 1920 Braintree, Massachusetts and a case that people still argue to this day, Sacco and Vanzetti. In the middle of the nation's first great "red scare" two immigrant anarchist are arrested and tried for robbery and murder. The case will become international news, with some believing to this day that our pair were set up by a system designed to keep people l...

Join us as we jump back to 1700 and the trial of one of the most famous pirates in history. Even if he was not all that successful. It is a story of what can happen if you get caught in the middle of a political game, and you're the one with out power.

Join us in 1660s Boston, when how you prey can get you hung. We look at Mary Dyer, a lady who was willing to lay everything on the line for the concept of religious liberty, and freedom of consciousness.

A world of perfect sunsets and endless summer. But in 1931 paradise would be rocked by crimes and failures of the justice system. A system that, at times, didn't even seem to be trying to get things right. Join Kim and I as we jump back to 1931 Hawaii, and the Massie Trials. That right multiple crimes, and a little history lesson.

We jump back to 1950s Ohio and a case that inspired TV shows and movies with some of Hollywood's biggest names. The beautiful young wife of a successful surgeon is found the victim of the brutal murder. Suspicion soon falls on the husband. But did Sam Sheppard kill his wife? And why didn't Tommy Lee Jones care? I didn't do a lot of editing here, so if it sounds like I have the plague,...

A city goes up in flames. At first people believe it to be an accident. Then a conspiracy starts to unravel that, if true, could shake the very foundations of New York colonial society. Join Kim and I as we jump back to look at one of the most violent and insane moments of colonial history, one that has been left out of almost all history books. sources for this episode "The New York Plot&quo...

A day late but one extra host. Kim and I are joined by our granddaughter, Grace as we just back 100 years to Dayton, Tennessee and a small town's plan to make an easy buck. But like many great plans, they soon find themselves in way over their heads. Come with us as we look at the famed "Scopes Monkey Trial." Trigger warning, this might step on some folk's beliefs.

Two "geniuses" plan to pull off the perfect crime. But their big ol' brains just can't get out of their way. It was a trial that transfixed Americans in 1924. But it would be just one of many "crimes of the century." Join Kim and I as we jump back to 1924 Chicago and the case of Leopold and Loeb.