Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Killing a Dead Body
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Sep 17, 2025 Exploring the peculiar world of handling dead bodies, the hosts dive into the legal complexities and societal norms surrounding death with humor. They delve into the tragic irony found in film narratives, notably the backstory of a character from 'Magnolia.' A fictional tale about Ronald Opus raises questions about death's definitions in law. The bizarre legal case of Chareau and Wilkins reveals the murky waters of intent and guilt, while discussions on attempted murder highlight the critical need for careful situational assessment.
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The Ronald Opus Tale Origin
- Josh recounts the fabricated Ronald Opus-style story used in Magnolia about a man killed while attempting suicide.
- He explains Don Harper Mills invented the Ronald Opus tale to show how new evidence can change a coroner's ruling.
Evidence Can Upend Cause-Of-Death Rulings
- Chuck and Josh note that new evidence can completely change a medical examiner's ruling on cause of death.
- They introduce the legal niche: whether you can murder someone who's already dead and explain it's not straightforward.
The Monsieur Wilkins Case
- Josh and Chuck tell the French case of Monsieur Wilkins, beaten and then allegedly finished by another man after being mortally wounded.
- They pose the legal question whether the second assailant can be guilty of murder for attacking an already-dead person.