Criminal Appeal

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: Listener discretion is advised — this episode includes details that may be disturbing to some audiences. Criminologist Dr. Casey Jordan and Sociologist Dr. Colleen Butler Sweet revisit the Wade Wilson case covering the following : - The psychology behind Wade Wilson’s charm and violence - The rise of his devoted fangirl following, known as the “Wade’s Wives” - Hybristophili...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into the 'Lost Boys' ABOUT : In recent years, experts have started warning about a troubling new trend often called the rise of the “lost boys” — a growing wave of younger and younger males becoming involved in violent crimes, espe...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into the Phenomenon of Hybristophilia ABOUT : Hybristophilia is a psychological phenomenon in which someone experiences attraction to another person who has committed violent or criminal acts. Often referred to as “Bonnie and Clyde Syndrom...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: Listener discretion is advised — this episode includes details that may be disturbing to some audiences. In part 1 we dive into the disturbing and complex case of Kendall Francois — one of New York’s most notorious serial offenders. What makes this episode different is the firsthand perspective: Dr. Casey Jordan personally worked with Kendall during his time in custody, giv...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: Listener discretion is advised — this episode includes details that may be disturbing to some audiences. Welcome to Part 2 of our breakdown of the Kendall Francois case. In Part 1, we uncovered how Francois fit the profile of a power-control killer—someone driven by dominance and manipulation rather than impulse. In this episode, Dr. Casey Jordan continues sharing her first...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into The Menendez brothers case ABOUT THE CASE: The Menendez brothers case involves the 1989 shotgun murders of wealthy Beverly Hills parents, José and Kitty Menendez, by their sons, Lyle and Erik. While the prosecution argued the motive w...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into the case of the Idaho Murderer, Bryan Kohberger. ABOUT THE CASE: Bryan Kohberger, a former criminology PhD student, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to the brutal 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students — Kaylee Goncalves, Madiso...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: Listener discretion is advised — this episode includes details that may be disturbing to some audiences. In Part 1, we take a deep dive into the chilling case of Linda Bigazzi — the Connecticut professor accused of murdering her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi. We explore the twists and unanswered questions surrounding the investigation, featuring exclusive clips from Dr. Ca...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: Listener discretion is advised — this episode includes details that may be disturbing to some audiences. Part 2 of our deep dive into the Linda Bigazzi case continues as we uncover more details behind this shocking story. In this episode, we explore new evidence and dive deeper into the investigation. Hear exclusive insights from Linda’s criminal defense attorney, and catch...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into the Netflix Documentary everyone is talking about - Unknown Caller | The High School Catfish. ABOUT THE CASE: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish follows Michigan teen Lauryn Licari and her boyfriend Owen McKenny, who are relentle...

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of real criminal cases, including details that may be disturbing to some listeners. This week’s Side Bar dives into the Karen Read trial, as the hosts break down the latest developments and debate the questions everyone’s asking. ABOUT THE CASE:In January 2022, her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, was found dead in the snow outside a...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Paris Bennett case, we shift the focus to Laura, the mother at the center of this complex story. Featuring exclusive clips from The Family I Had' documentary, this episo...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this Part 1 deep dive into one of the most disturbing cases of juvenile homicide, we analyze the chilling psychology of a boy who murdered his younger sister, Ella, at the age of 13. What drove him to such...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this Part 1 deep dive into one of the most disturbing cases of juvenile homicide, we analyze the chilling psychology of a boy who murdered his younger sister, Jasmine, at the age of 13. What drove him to su...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this Part 1 deep dive into one of the most disturbing cases of juvenile homicide, we analyze the chilling psychology of a boy who murdered his younger sister, Jasmine, at the age of 13. What drove him to su...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In Part 2 of our deep dive into the Paris Bennett case, we shift the focus to Laura, the mother at the center of this complex story. Featuring exclusive clips from The Family I Had' documentary, this episo...

⚠️ SENSITIVITY WARNING: This episode discusses severe topics including the murder of a child, psychopathy, and premeditated violence within a family. Listener discretion is strongly advised. In this Part 1 deep dive into one of the most disturbing cases of juvenile homicide, we analyze the chilling psychology of a boy who murdered his younger sister, Ella, at the age of 13. What drove him to such...

NEW EPISODE EVERY WEEK ! Criminal Appeal is a bold new true crime podcast hosted by Criminologist and Attorney Dr. Casey Jordan and Professor Dr. Colleen Butler-Sweet. Unlike other true crime shows, Criminal Appeal goes beyond retelling stories—it brings decades of real-world expertise directly to the mic. Dr. Jordan, a renowned criminologist and legal analyst with more than 3,000 media appearance...