The Twinkie Defense and Harvey Milk's Assassination

The podcast episode explores the infamous 'Twinkie Defense' and its connection to the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person elected to public office. The Twinkie Defense refers to the lesser sentence received by Dan White, who murdered Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone, based on his claim of diminished capacity due to high consumption of junk food. The episode delves into the controversy surrounding the defense, its implications, and the public outrage that ensued. It also examines the larger context of homophobia, mental illness, and the criminal justice system's handling of high-profile cases.