Episoder
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Christopher Bennett is a native of Craigsville, Virginia, who made national headlines in 2003 when, at 18, he fatally shot his stepfather, Vincent McDorman. Bennett was subsequently convicted of capital murder as well as robbery and breaking and entering, accepting a plea deal that resulted in a sentence totaling 1,800 yearsâequivalent to three life terms under Virginia law.
According to Bennett, he stumbled into the home after hearing his sisterâs cries and confronted his stepfather as he was allegedly molesting her. The case has sparked ongoing debate, with supporters portraying Bennett as a juvenile who acted to protect his siblings from abuse.
Victoria McDorman, Bennettâs younger sister, is central to both the case and the ongoing campaign for his clemency. She has publicly recounted enduring repeated abuse at the hands of their stepfather and described her brotherâs actions as brave and necessary. Victoria and other family members have participated in ralliesâincluding one in 2020 in Craigsvilleâcalling for Bennettâs release, highlighting the trauma they endured and advocating for a reexamination of his sentence. In recent years, their story has attracted further attention through podcasts like True Crime Broads, which features Victoriaâs voice as she elaborates on those events and continues to champion her brother as a hero rather than a criminal.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Kerrick Majors was a 14-year-old African American boy from Nashville, Tennessee, whose brutal, racially motivated murder in April 1987 became a symbol of both racial violence and justice in the American South. Described as a kind, respectful middle school student, Kerrick was abducted after a minor dispute over a broken vase with three white driftersâDonald and Tammy Middlebrooks and Robert Brewingtonâwho falsely accused him of theft. They forced him into a wooded area where he was tortured over several hoursâburned, beaten with brass knuckles, urinated on, slashed with knives, and stabbed to death while racial slurs were used against him.
His body, left naked under a discarded mattress in a creek bed, bore signs of extreme cruelty, including a carved "X" on his chest. Police initially dismissed him as a runaway and delayed the investigation, which led to public outrage, disciplinary action against officers, and a $2 million lawsuit by Kerrickâs family. The case resulted in historic convictions: Brewington received life plus 75 years, Tammy Middlebrooks received life with parole eligibility, and Donald Middlebrooks was sentenced to deathâthe first time in modern Tennessee history that a white person was condemned to death for murdering a Black child. The case remains significant for highlighting systemic racism, law enforcement negligence, and the rare pursuit of justice in a racially charged crime.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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James Sparks is a criminologist; he holds a Bachelor of Arts from Murray State University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from UAB. His academic focus and teaching responsibilities at UAB encompass specialized topics such as serial killers, serial killers in international contexts, and the juvenile justice system.
Although primarily serving as an instructor, Sparks applies a criminological lens to the study of violent crime and the intersection of psychology and criminal justice. His courses typically explore offender behavior patterns, developmental and systemic aspects of criminality (particularly in youth), and international comparisons of serial homicide. Through engaging students in these challenging subjects, Sparks contributes to the broader mission of preparing future criminal justice professionals and researchers.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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In June 1997, Uwe Durbin was brutally tortured and murdered in Riverside, California. Durbin, who had been staying with Lester âWoodyâ Wilson and his wife Barbara Phillips, was accused by Wilson of stealing electronics from their home. In retaliation, Wilson and Phillips abducted Durbin at gunpoint and brought him back to their house. Over several hours, Durbin was savagely beaten, shot in the knee, strangled, and tortured with objects including battery-filled gloves. The attackers also brought chemical drain cleaner, allegedly intending to dissolve his body, and held Durbinâs family members hostage during the ordeal.
In the early morning hours of June 9, Wilson and others attempted to transport Durbinâs battered body but their car broke down along Californiaâs Highway 91. There, Durbin was shot five times in the head and left in a roadside drainage ditch. His body was discovered later that day. Wilson was arrested, convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture and kidnapping, and sentenced to death. Barbara Phillips was also convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The case remains one of Riverside Countyâs most disturbing examples of torture-murder.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Dr. BillâŻKimberlin is a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, and author best known for his work studying and documenting life on death row in the United States.
Dr. Kimberlin speaks about men's mental health and also speaks about his experiences with convicted murderer, Scott Peterson.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Christopher Bennett is a Virginia man serving a 1,800-year prison sentence for the 2003 killing of his mother's boyfriend, Vincent McDorman. Bennett, then 18, claimed he shot McDorman after catching him molesting his six-year-old half-sister, Victoria. He was convicted of capital murder, robbery, and breaking and entering, receiving three consecutive life sentences. Bennett's family and supporters argue that he acted to protect his sister and have advocated for clemency, including demonstrations and petitions.
Petition for Christopher Bennett: https://www.change.org/p/a-hero-sentenced-to-prison-for-killing-a-child-molester
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Prentiss Williams is an inmate currently incarcerated at the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Leavittsburg, Ohio. Born on December 30, 1978, he has been serving a lengthy sentence since his admission on December 22, 2003. His offenses include multiple counts of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault, escape, and weapon under disability, resulting in a sentence of 151 years in prison.
In 2003, Williams was charged with the 1994 murder of Shelley Johnson, a 29-year-old woman found dead in central Toledo. Prosecutors allege that Williams killed Johnson to prevent her from revealing his involvement in another murder. He was later convicted of this crime in juvenile court .
The Trumbull Correctional Institution, where Williams is held, is a medium-security facility operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Opened in 1992, it houses approximately 1,529 male inmates across various security levels.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday as we stream on either tik tok and/or youtube. Tik Tok Handle: @unforbiddentruthpodcast
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Jeffrey Deskovic is an American attorney, advocate, and exoneree who was wrongfully convicted of rape and murder at the age of 17. He spent 16 years in prison before DNA evidence led to his exoneration. Since then, he has dedicated his life to criminal justice reform and the exoneration of the wrongfully convicted.
In 2006, with support from the Innocence Project, post-conviction DNA testing identified Steven Cunningham as the actual perpetrator. Cunningham, who was already serving a life sentence for a similar crime, confessed to Correa's murder. Deskovic was released after serving 16 years for a crime he did not commit. He later sued the authorities responsible for his wrongful conviction and was awarded $41.6 million, of which $10 million was paid due to a pretrial settlement. Following his release, Deskovic pursued higher education, earning a bachelor's degree in behavioral science from Mercy College, a master's degree in criminal justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and a law degree from Pace University School of Law.
https://www.deskovicfoundation.org/about
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Mark E. Safarik is a retired Supervisory Special Agent who served 23 years with the FBI, including 12 years as a criminal profiler in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). He co-founded Forensic Behavioral Services International, where he consults on complex violent crime cases and has appeared on numerous television programs, including CSI: Las Vegas, Bones, and Killer Instinct. Safarik has authored extensively on criminal behavior and has been featured in international journals and textbooks, contributing significantly to the field of forensic behavioral analysis.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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William Harder is known for his controversial collection of items associated with notorious criminals, a hobby often referred to as "murderabilia." His collection includes letters, artwork, and other memorabilia from individuals such as Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker," and Charles Manson. Harder has stated that he began his collection after corresponding with Ramirez, leading to a friendship and regular visits to San Quentin State Prison. He has also reached out to other inmates, including Manson, to expand his collection.
In addition to his personal collection, Harder operates a website called MurderAuction.com, where he facilitated the sale of items from incarcerated individuals. This site attracted criticism for potentially enabling criminals to profit from their notoriety. Harder defended the website, describing it as a hobby rather than a business venture.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Steve Lynn Nicholson is a Michigan man convicted of two counts of homicide and child abuse following the deaths of his two young children in October 2010. At the time, Nicholson was living in Allen Park, Michigan, where he had sole custody of his son, Jonathan, and shared custody of his daughter, Ella. On the night of October 19, 2010, both children were found dead in his apartmentâJonathan in the bathtub and Ella on the bathroom floor. The prosecution argued that Nicholson intentionally drowned both children, citing evidence of prior abuse and suspicious circumstances at the crime scene.
Medical experts testified that Jonathan's lungs contained water, indicating he was deliberately submerged, and that Ella had been placed face-down after drowning, showing signs of scalding burns. Nicholson's defense contended that the deaths were accidental. However, the trial court convicted him of first-degree murder for Ella's death, second-degree murder for Jonathan's, and first-degree child abuse. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder convictions, plus additional time for child abuse.
In 2012, the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld Nicholson's convictions, affirming that the trial court had properly admitted evidence of prior abuse and that the verdicts were supported by the evidence presented. The case highlighted Nicholson's history of mistreating the children, including reports from neighbors and his partner about physical abuse and neglect. The court found that the deaths were not accidental, citing the deliberate staging of the scene and the children's inability to escape the water. Nicholson remains incarcerated at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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The Narco-SatĂĄnicos were a notorious criminal cult based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, that became infamous in the late 1980s for combining drug trafficking with ritualistic killings. The group was led by Adolfo de JesĂșs Constanzo, a Cuban-American who called himself a "palo mayombe" priestâa religion with African-Cuban roots that he distorted into violent, occult practices.
Key Facts:
1. LeadershipAdolfo Constanzo was the leader and spiritual figurehead.He gained followers among drug traffickers and law enforcement, who believed his rituals brought protection and power.Sara Aldrete, a college student, became his second-in-command and was dubbed the "High Priestess."2. Beliefs and PracticesThe group practiced a twisted version of Palo Mayombe, involving animal and human sacrifices.Constanzo believed blood rituals would protect their drug operations and make them invisible to police.Victims were sometimes tortured and mutilated as part of these rituals.3. Criminal ActivitiesThe cult was heavily involved in drug trafficking, especially smuggling marijuana across the U.S.âMexico border.They operated on a ranch called "Rancho Santa Elena" near Matamoros, which became the site of gruesome discoveries.4. The Murder of Mark KilroyTheir activities came to light after the 1989 abduction and murder of Mark Kilroy, a University of Texas student on spring break.Kilroy was kidnapped, tortured, and killed as a human sacrifice.The high-profile case led U.S. and Mexican authorities to investigate the cult.5. Collapse and AftermathPolice raided Rancho Santa Elena and discovered numerous mutilated bodies buried on the property.Constanzo died in a shootout with police in Mexico City in May 1989âreportedly after ordering one of his followers to kill him rather than be captured.Several cult members, including Sara Aldrete, were captured and received lengthy prison sentences.Cultural ImpactThe case shocked both Mexico and the U.S., blending true crime with horror elements.It inspired books, documentaries, and films due to its disturbing mix of drug crime and ritualistic occultism.
Note: I was very limited on what I was able to ask Sara, due to her being under contract for a documentary at the time.
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Tamra Tillbrook died by suicide on May 6, 2025. In this interview, we speak with her sister, Nicole, who shares insight into the circumstances that led up to Tamraâs tragic deathâand the disturbing allegations involving local law enforcement that have since come to light.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Oscar Franklin Smith is a Tennessee death row inmate convicted of the 1989 murders of his estranged wife, Judith Smith, and her two teenage sons, Chad and Jason Burnett, in Nashville. He was sentenced to death in 1990 and is currently the oldest inmate on Tennessee's death row, aged 74.
Smith has consistently maintained his innocence. His legal team argues that new DNA evidenceâspecifically, an unknown male's DNA found on one of the murder weaponsâcasts doubt on his conviction. Additionally, they claim juror misconduct and misinformation during his trial violated his fair trial rights.
Smith's execution has been delayed multiple times. In April 2022, Governor Bill Lee halted his scheduled execution due to an oversight in lethal injection preparations. A subsequent review revealed that none of the lethal injection drugs used since 2018 had been fully tested, leading to a pause in executions. In response, Tennessee introduced a new execution protocol using pentobarbital as a single drug, though concerns about its potential to cause unconstitutional pain persist.
Despite ongoing legal challenges, including a lawsuit questioning the constitutionality of the new execution protocol, Smith's execution is currently scheduled for May 22, 2025.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Dr. Katherine Ramsland is an American forensic psychologist, criminologist, and prolific author, renowned for her extensive work in the fields of criminal psychology and forensic science.
Dr. Ramsland has authored over 1,800 articles and 73 books, delving into topics such as serial killers, crime scene investigation, forensic science, and the supernatural. Notable works include The Forensic Science of CSI, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, and Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer, which was co-executive produced by her for a four-part documentary on A&E .
Dr. Ramsland maintains an active presence in the true crime community through her regular blog, "Shadow-boxing," on Psychology Today, where she offers insights into criminal psychology and investigative processes. She also participates in events like Crime Con, engaging with audiences on topics related to forensic psychology and criminal behavior.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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The "Sergeant Daniel Baker Act" is a Tennessee law enacted in 2019 to expedite the appeals process in death penalty cases. Named in honor of Dickson County Sheriff's Sergeant Daniel Baker, who was tragically killed in 2018, the law mandates that death penalty cases be automatically reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court, bypassing the Court of Criminal Appeals. This change aims to speed up the judicial process for capital punishment cases.
The law was passed following the murder of Sergeant Baker, who was fatally shot while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle. The incident led to the arrest and conviction of Steven Wiggins, who was sentenced to death for the crime. In addition to the expedited appeals process, the law reflects Tennessee's commitment to swift justice in cases involving the death penalty.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Jonathan Todd Schwartz is a former business manager who gained notoriety for embezzling over $7 million from his clients, including singer Alanis Morissette. Between May 2010 and January 2014, Schwartz stole nearly $5 million from Morissette by falsely categorizing the funds as "sundry/personal expenses." He also admitted to embezzling an additional $2.3 million from five other clients during his tenure at GSO Business Management, a firm that served high-profile clients such as Katy Perry, 50 Cent, and Tom Petty.
The thefts were uncovered after Morissette hired a new business manager who discovered the missing funds. Schwartz initially claimed that the money had been invested in an illegal marijuana business, but this was later proven to be false. At his sentencing in May 2017, Schwartz was sentenced to six years in federal prison, ordered to pay $8.6 million in restitution, and placed on three years of supervised release. He expressed deep remorse, stating, "I will spend the rest of my life asking for forgiveness".
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Beckie Kay Wiley was a mother whose life was tragically cut short in a quadruple homicide in November 1990. The quiet town of Thermopolis, Wyomingâbest known for its mineral hot springsâwas shaken by the shocking nature of the crime, which involved her 15-year-old stepson, James Wiley.
Once seen as an honor student and student council leader, James fatally shot Beckie and her three sonsâWilly, Tyrone, and Jessieâbefore setting their home on fire. The brutality and unexpected nature of the act drew national attention.
Though the exact reasons behind the murders remain uncertain, some reports point to underlying family tensions and possible behavioral issues. The tragedy sparked widespread media coverage and prompted deeper conversations about juvenile violence and the complexities of family relationships.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
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Beckie Kay Wiley was a mother whose life was tragically cut short in a quadruple homicide in November 1990. The quiet town of Thermopolis, Wyomingâbest known for its mineral hot springsâwas shaken by the shocking nature of the crime, which involved her 15-year-old stepson, James Wiley.
Once seen as an honor student and student council leader, James fatally shot Beckie and her three sonsâWilly, Tyrone, and Jessieâbefore setting their home on fire. The brutality and unexpected nature of the act drew national attention. Though the exact reasons behind the murders remain uncertain, some reports point to underlying family tensions and possible behavioral issues. The tragedy sparked widespread media coverage and prompted deeper conversations about juvenile violence and the complexities of family relationships.
https://linktr.ee/Unforbiddentruth
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/unforbidden-truth--4724561/support. - Vis mere
