Sinister Silhouettes w/ Tasha Pierce

As podcasters, we have a platform and duty to speak up and call out injustice. and amplify the voices of black podcasters that deserve more recognition. Racism is prevalent in all industries; the media who under-report on black victims to the justice system which routinely fails black victims. In this collaborative episode, we document black history and current events with the voices of those who...

We have discussed the problem ad nausea. Today is about offering solutions. We are at a crossroads- the public has overwhelmingly signaled that WE WANT CHANGE! The old system of racism and profiling is old news. It's one thing to desire equality and something else entirely to achieve it. Today, Barack Obama gave us the cornerstone to affecting real change. Some of us knew this and just needed...

(Drunken Rant) What can we do while black? We can’t eat ice cream in our home, play video games IN OUR HOMES, drive, exercise, shop, buy skittles, listen to music, go to work- what the fuck is safe to do while black?  I’ve got a son, several nephews, brothers, cousins, friends- and I TRULY worry about their safety.  Why?  Simply put- because of white fear.  Trust me- I’m scared shitless of white f...

  It was November 18, 1993, in St. Ann, Missouri. Angie Housman was nine-years-old.  Like every day, she was excited to get home when she hopped off the bus after school.  She lived about 5 minutes from the bus stop.  Some days, she would run just to get home faster.  Unfortunately for her, she would never make it to her home. Music: Purple planet Palpitations, Summer In Paradise From < https:/...

Well, today’s story is kind of similar to that feeling of familiarity with a rising star. Set in the 1960s, the journey begins at a time of civil unrest in the United States. The Black population, mostly descendants of slaves, continued to face persecution and discrimination. A lot has been overcome since then, although we still have quite a bit of work to do. But this is a story of a people risin...

 Today I’m going to tell you about the weirdest story that Gary, IN has to offer.  This situation made international news and even had a documentary to cover the case.  To make things even more interesting, I knew the family this shocking story revolved around.  Grab your wine, light a fat one, and pull up a chair because this week we discuss “The Exorcisms of LaToya Ammons”! Sources available at...

Earl Van Best Jr. was 27 years old when he met Judy Chandler, 13  at the time. It was October 1961 and they were in front of an ice cream shop in San Francisco.  He became fixated on the teen, but Van Best knew he was far too old to be trying to court Judy. Worse, she had a less than ideal home life- her father was said to be abusive which made her a prime target for a guy who knew how to say all...

Jennifer Kocsis loved karaoke. Friends say she would go to sing it anywhere, anytime. On Saturday morning, not long after 1 a.m., she sang a duet with a longtime friend. It was Kenny Rogers, "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer." It was the last song she'd ever sing. Gotta tale from YOUR hood that you'd like to share? Submit your story to tcbytb@gmail.com Donate: patreon.com/tcby...

This week I would like to discuss True Crime stories that have been dominating the headlines. Most of us have opinions on these cases, but my goal today is to review what we KNOW so far. Just like every other case I break down, I will share my thoughts as well. Please note that all of the players are innocent until proven guilty. If I was seated on a jury and presented evidence that would lead to...

Tidings and salutations, bibliophiles!  Welcome back to True Crime: By The Book.  I’m the Librarian, Tasha Pierce. Today we’re going to learn about presa canarios, cults of personality, and unfortunately, murder.  Before I get into Red Zone by true-crime queen Aprhodite Jones, let’s say thanks to the Bookworms who have left reviews! This week I’m shouting out Why So Loud from Apple Podcasts and th...

Oxygen released a full length documentary that explores the child sexual abuse accusations that are plaguing the Jehovah’s Witness organization. I have been following the allegations for a number of years, so this is hardly a new issue, but it is gaining media attention due to the sheer number of lawsuits that are being levied against the religion. I am particularly interested in following this st...

Throughout the series, we hear excerpts from conversations that disgraced NFL start Aaron Hernandez had with the people closest to him.  Of course, being a guest of any prison comes with a total lack of privacy. The calls in and out are recorded and we get to be a fly on the wall when Aaron spoke with his agent, his mom Teri, his cousin Tonya, and his fiancee Shayanna.  The calls that were feature...

Okay, so we start at the beginning- Aaron and his older brother DJ were being raised in Bristol, Connecticut by their father Dennis and mother Terri.  Dennis is kind of a local legend in football so there’s no surprise that his boys were introduced to the sport early. Dennis is described as a “man’s man” very hyper-masculine. He was strict on his boys.  Known around as the King, DJ and Aaron were...

 Here is the summary from Fatal Charm: Smith, a prize-winning reporter for The Seattle Times, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting for his coverage of the Green River Killer case. Now he reveals the shocking true story of serial wife-killer Randy Roth, the alluring, handsome man who was caught after his fourth wife "accidentally" drowned. Once again, a descripti...

Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore had a lot in common: They sang together in the Methodist church choir, their daughters were best friends, and their husbands had good jobs working for technology companies in the north Dallas suburbs known as Silicon Prairie. But beneath the placid surface of their seemingly perfect lives, both women simmered with unspoken frustrations and unanswered desires. Music:...

Info for Rochelle: Gary Police  Department Violent Crimes Division at 219-881-1210 or the Crime  Tip Line  at 866-274-6347 Info for Abby and Libby- Email:   Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com Tip Line:   (844) 459-5786 Indiana State Police:   (800) 382-7537 Carroll County Sheriff:   (765) 564-2413 Website: abbyandlibby.org TCbyTB on all the things! Donate:  patreon.com/TCbyTB Email:  TCbyTB@gmail.com We...

Before I forget- IT'S EPISODE 10 BAAAAABY! Happy holidays! BEFORE you set out those cookies and milk, check out this episode about a VERY bad Santa. Dateline and Wikipedia were my sources. TCbyTB on all the things! Donate: patreon.com/TCbyTB Email: TCbyTB@gmail.com Website: TCbyTB.com Also, big thanks to Podcorn for sponsoring this episode! If you are a podcaster navigating the murky sponsor w...

Let me tell you, growing up in the ‘90s was something else.  The societal rules were far more blurred than they are today- and I think that it is our responsibility to call out bad behavior to improve our relationships with one another.  I said that because I argue with friends on this point regularly. I graduated from high school in 1991. When I was in school it wasn’t unusual for students and te...

National Domestic Violence Hotline- 800-799-7233 or visit hotline.org We'll get to "Growing Up Buttafuoco" next week. The death of the young, bright, and beautiful India Mackey and others like her is pressing on my soul this week. I'm sharing her story and mine- we both were victims of domestic violence. She can't share her story, so I'm sharing mine. Social: TCbyTB on all...

 I think it was a good idea for Williams to deliver her story, in her voice. But, Rachel, I got questions, girl! Before we get to the reasons I find this story to be absolutely batshit, let’s see what Goodreads tells us about the book. Sex and the City meets Catch Me if You Can in the astonishing true story of Anna Delvey, a young con artist posing as a German heiress in New York City—as told by t...

Bobbie Jo was awaiting Darlene’s arrival.  In the meantime, she talked with her mom. Becky Harper, Bobbie Jo’s mother, was also full of anticipation for the birth of her first grandchild.  She regularly checked in on her expectant daughter and planned to do that later that afternoon. She was so proud of Bobbie Jo and Zeb. How they almost personified love in their relationship and that they were st...

In 2013, Christopher Dorner held law enforcement hostage while on a nine day killing spree. The events gave the community at large a picture of how much mayhem one person could cause. Catch up with Tasha on Twitter @TCbyTB, Facebook facebook.com/TCbyTB, or good old fashioned e-mail at TCbyTB@gmail.com! Review and share with a friend! Contribute if you can (gotta buy more books!). Later Bookworms!...

Mary Anne Pohlreich was 27 years old. She moved to Bellevue to study computers and was working as a telemarketer. She shared an apartment with a friend. Mary Anne had a strict Christian upbringing, and she was kind of relishing her newfound freedom. She began frequenting a night spot- not the Black Angus, but a place called Papagayo's. There she would sip drinks with friends, chat with other p...

In Charmer, we meet Russell as a boy about the same age as I was when I learned that monsters live among us. He was wise beyond his years. He would talk to anyone. His conversation was so mature that it was easy to forget you were talking to a child. He was cautious as well- he’d get a person to talk and talk without disclosing much about himself. He was guarded that way. His family was among only...

The pitch went like this : Chris Butler, a retired cop, ran a private investigator firm in Concord, California. His business had a fascinating angle—his firm was staffed entirely by soccer moms. In fact, Butler employed PI Super Moms: attractive, organized, smart, and trained in investigative techniques, self-defense, and weaponry. This American Life host Ira Glass described them as “MILF: Charlie...