The UPIKE Justice Journal

Have you ever heard a scream in the woods that made your hair stand up? Drop a 🔥 if you’ve ever felt that spooky, nostalgic chill in the holler because I sure have. In our latest episode, we dive into Tennessee’s wildest legends, from the fluffy sheepsquatch to the elusive wood booger. 🐑👹 These stories aren’t just tales, they’re the truths our families grew up with, teaching us respect for the...

Hey UPIKE Justice Journal family! We are running a bit late with this week’s episode, and we want to apologize for the delay. We are still settling into our new groove and routines, and our number one priority is making sure we deliver the absolute best quality episodes for you all instead of rushing them out. But trust us—the wait is worth it. In this episode, we are diving deep into the dusty tr...

In the mid-1960s, a charismatic yoga teacher named Anne Hamilton-Byrne convinced some of the country’s most influential doctors, lawyers, and socialites that she was the living reincarnation of Jesus Christ. But behind the closed doors of her estate, she wasn't just building a spiritual movement.

In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal, we dive into the tragic and legally complex case of Ajike "AJ" Owens, a mother of four who was shot and killed through a locked door in Ocala, Florida. We break down the timeline of the neighbor dispute that led to this moment, the controversial "Stand Your Ground" defense, and the psychological impact on the children who witnessed the event. We’re hon...

Dust off your overalls and grab a funnel cake, it’s Hillbilly Days in Pikeville! 🎡 But while the rest of the county is enjoying the carnival rides and parade floats, Meg and Krystina are diving into the darker side of "Mountain Hospitality." In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal , the girls debate whether Appalachia's most terrifying urban legends are actually just misunderstood introverts...

In this episode, we dive into the sensational 1992 case that blurred the lines between a suburban drama and a tabloid nightmare. When 17-year-old Amy Fisher stepped onto the porch of Mary Jo Buttafuoco and pulled the trigger, she wasn't just committing a violent act. She was the catalyst for a media firestorm that defined an era. We’ll dissect the grooming and manipulation at the heart of her rela...

He was a community leader, a Junior Chamber of Commerce executive, and a beloved local clown who brought joy to neighborhood children. But beneath the surface of John Wayne Gacy’s suburban life lay a horrific reality that would eventually claim 33 young lives. In this episode of The UPIKE Justice Journal , we pull back the curtain on one of America’s most notorious serial killers. We move beyond t...

In August 2018, the quiet town of Frederick, Colorado, became the epicenter of a case that shocked the world. When Shanann Watts and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, vanished without a trace, the frantic search for a missing family quickly spiraled into a harrowing investigation of betrayal and "family annihilation." In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal, we analyze the 2018 murd...

Welcome to the "Murder Castle." For this special episode of The UPIKE Justice Journal, we’re turning back the clock to 1893. While Chicago was celebrating the World’s Fair, H.H. Holmes was busy building a labyrinth of trapdoors, secret rooms, and Victorian-era horrors. Join us as we trade the modern precinct for the cobblestone streets of the Gilded Age to dissect the psychology and forensic gaps...

Grab a seat on the porch and keep the lantern lit. Today, the UPIKE Justice Journal is taking a brief detour from our usual case files. Because it’s Spring Break, we’re taking a breather from the courtroom to explore the shadows of the peaks. In this special short surprise, we’re diving into the eerie, ancient world of Appalachian Folklore. From things that go bump in the night to the "unspoken ru...

"Lizzie Borden took an axe..." or did she?  In this episode, we step inside the town of Fall River to deconstruct one of the most infamous double murders in American history. While the schoolyard rhyme claims "forty whacks," the real story is found in the sweltering August heat of 1892, two murders, and a trial that transfixed a nation. We’re breaking down the forensic evidence (or lack thereof),...

In the quiet desert town of Elephant Butte, New Mexico, a nightmare was hidden in plain sight. This week, we dive into the chilling case of David Parker Ray , a man who spent decades and over $100,000 perfecting a soundproofed semi-trailer he called his "Toy Box." To the world, Ray was a park ranger and a mechanic. Behind closed doors, he was a calculated predator who utilized surgical tools, elab...

For nearly 20 years, Donald Harvey worked in the shadows of hospitals in Kentucky and Ohio. Known as a dedicated nurse's aide, he was actually one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.