Law&Crime Sidebar

A unique courtroom face-off is unraveling in Florida between a family and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital over claims of child abuse, accusations of a fake illness, and a loved one's death. The trial involves Maya Kowalski and her family — who were the center of the popular “Take Care of Maya” documentary on Netflix. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down both sides of the story...

Nearly one month since 41-year-old Ruby Franke and her business partner were charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse, new shocking developments have surfaced in the case. Franke’s 12-year-old son was allegedly held captive in Jodi Hildebrandt’s home, duct taped alongside his sister, and starved before escaping to a neighbor’s home who said he was “covered in wounds.” The Law&Crime Ne...

911 calls can provide some of the most important pieces of evidence in criminal cases. They can also reveal crucial — yet odd — information. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down the top disturbing and revealing 911 calls. Hosts: Jesse Weber: https://twitter.com/jessecordweber Angenette Levy: https://twitter.com/Angenette5 LAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION: YouTube Management - Bobby...

High-profile trials often have a serious tone given the gravity of a case at hand and the formal decorum of the judicial system. Occasionally, court proceedings take a comical turn, sometimes causing the entire courtroom to erupt in laughter. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down the top six funniest court moments during recent trials. PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: Go to https://zbiotics....

During high-profile trials, emotions run high and presentations occasionally become intense, leading to heated confrontations in the courtroom. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down the top seven most heated moments between lawyers and judges during trials. PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: Go to https://www.hellofresh.com/50sidebar and use code 50sidebar for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 m...

Ruby Franke was arrested and charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse after her 12-year-old son escaped from her business partner’s remote Utah home in August. The YouTube mom remains locked up as her attorneys dive deep into massive troves of alleged evidence against her. O.J. Simpson "dream team" lawyer Alan Dershowitz breaks down Franke’s best defense with the Law&Crime Network’s A...

A Utah man who was referred to Ruby Franke’s business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, for marriage counseling calls his dealings with her a “terrible dark chapter” that caused destruction in his life. Hildebrandt and Franke were recently charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home covered in wounds. Adam Steed tells the Law&Crime...

YouTube mom Ruby Franke appeared virtually in juvenile court on Monday for a hearing concerning the custody of four of her underage children. The 41-year-old stands accused of abusing two of her children after her 12-year-old son escaped from the home of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, where he was allegedly tied up with duct tape alongside his sister and starved. The Law&Crime Network...

YNW Melly’s ex-girlfriend Mariah Hamilton is breaking her silence publicly for the first time in an exclusive interview with the Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber. Hamilton breaks down her relationship history with the rapper, her knowledge of the double murder case, and an alleged altercation with NBA Youngboy at a recording studio, among other new details. Sidebar host Jesse Weber sits down wi...

The YouTube channel “8 Passengers” was once a powerhouse in the family content space on the platform, boasting millions of views each month with over two million subscribers. Ruby Franke and her husband, Kevin Franke, launched the channel in 2015 with a major focus on their six children and parenting skills in their vlog-style videos. The channel’s success came crashing down when YouTube terminate...

The YouTube mom accused of abusing her kids faces six counts of aggravated child abuse after she was arrested when her 12-year-old son escaped from her business partner’s home. Ruby Franke remains locked up awaiting a bail hearing on September 21. Famed criminal defense attorney Fred Perri, who said Franke “looks like a monster,” breaks down the 41-year-old’s best defense at trial with the Law&amp...

The lawyer representing the husband of Ruby Franke spoke to the Law&Crime Network about his knowledge of the child abuse allegations pitted against the YouTube mom and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt. Randy Kester said Kevin Franke is a “victim of Jodi,” who is the “spearhead” of this horrifying situation. Kester blamed Hildebrandt, stating “she’s caused all of the destruction” in this c...

Forty-one-year-old YouTube mom Ruby Franke and her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt, were arrested on August 30 after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home “covered in wounds.” The duo was charged with six counts of aggravated child abuse after it was discovered Franke allegedly tied up two of her children with duct tape and starved them in the Utah home. Famed Johnny Depp att...

The YouTube mom best known for her family channel “8 Passengers” was arrested after her 12-year-old son escaped her business partner’s home and begged a neighbor for food on August 30. Authorities said 41-year-old Ruby Franke allegedly tied up two of her children with duct tape and starved them inside Jodi Hildebrandt’s Utah home. Both Franke and Hildebrandt face six counts of felony child abuse....

Utah woman Ruby Franke, and her alleged accomplice Jodi Hildebrandt, were both charged with six counts of felony child abuse after the YouTube mom’s 12-year-old emaciated son escaped Hildebrandt’s home with open wounds and duct tape on his wrists on August 30. The Law&Crime Network’s Angenette Levy discusses the disturbing case with Franke’s cousin, who says the child abuse case is “bigger tha...

A 41-year-old mom and famous YouTuber was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly tying up two of her children with duct tape and starving them. Authorities said one victim escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house looking for food. Now, Ruby Franke’s neighbors are speaking out about their history with the “8 Passengers” mom. The Law&Crime Network’s Angenette Levy breaks it down with former FBI agent...

Taking the stand allows defendants and witnesses to tell their story, but also gives prosecutors the ability to grill the accused and untruthful testifiers. The most intense moments in court often happen under cross-examination. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber the top six most heated moments from cross-examinations in high-profile trials. LAW&CRIME SIDEBAR PRODUCTION: YouTube...

A 41-year-old mom and famous YouTuber was arrested on Wednesday for disturbing allegations of child abuse. Ruby Franke, known for her “8 Passengers” YouTube channel, allegedly tied up two of her children with duct tape and starved them until one escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house to beg for food and water. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down the disturbing case with legendary ho...

A convicted child rapist was captured by U.S. Marshals in West Virginia one year after he escaped from an Arkansas prison with the help of his family. Authorities said 39-year-old Samuel Hartman, who was serving life in prison, escaped during work detail and fled in a pickup truck occupied by his wife and mother, who shot at pursuing officers, before jumping on jet skis to complete their getaway....

The brother of Hollywood sex therapist Dr. Amie Harwick spoke to the Law&Crime Network about the murder of his sister and her alleged killer, Gareth Pursehouse. Harwick was allegedly strangled at her California home in 2020 before being thrown off her third-floor balcony. Sidebar host Jesse Weber discusses the disturbing murder case with Christopher Harwick. PLEASE SUPPORT THE SHOW: Save 10% o...

Authorities named a prime suspect in the brutal murder of a Pennsylvania high school teacher in 2018. Investigators believe Rachael DelTondo’s former student and lover Sheldon Jeter Jr. gunned down the 33-year-old in her mother’s driveway after she returned home from getting ice cream. The Law&Crime Network’s Jesse Weber breaks down the disturbing case with Jeter’s lawyer, Michael Santicola. P...

Famed sex therapist Amie Harwick was found outside of her Hollywood Hills home struggling to hold onto life after allegedly being thrown off of a third-story balcony in 2020. Harwick died at a hospital shortly after the fall from blunt force injuries to her head and torso, along with evidence of strangulation. Authorities quickly zeroed in on her ex-boyfriend, Gareth Pursehouse, who had previous r...

A California woman vanished after she and her boyfriend were ambushed in a random shooting attack while sitting in their car at a park on Sunday. Andrea Vazquez’s boyfriend fled from the attack and when he returned, she was gone. Authorities tracked the 19-year-old’s phone and found her dead nearly 50 miles from the crime scene. The Whittier Police Department arrested 20-year-old Gabriel Esparza,...

An unusual amount of infant deaths on a neonatal unit at a Chester hospital sparked an investigation that led to one common factor, Lucy Letby. The 33-year-old registered nurse was on shift every time a newborn died or became severely injured. The serial killer went on trial in Crown court, only to be found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to end the lives of six others. The Law&amp...

Home security video surfaced showing a 98-year-old Kansas woman yelling at police officers raiding her home on August 11. Joan Meyer, a co-owner of the Marion County Record newspaper, berated the officers, asking if their mothers loved them and even calling the police chief an “a**hole.” Some believe Meyer, who passed the day after the raid, died from stress. The Law&Crime Network’s Angenette...