The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall

Episode 7: Four Lesbians and a Baby

Dec 1, 2025
Anna Vasquez and Liz Ramirez, former members of the San Antonio Four, recount their harrowing journey through wrongful conviction in the 1990s. They discuss the shocking accusations of satanic abuse that turned their lives upside down. The women's sexuality was weaponized in court, and they detail the chilling impact of junk science on their trials. Their inspiring stories of resilience highlight their eventual exoneration after 22 years, revealing the ongoing fight against anti-queer panic and the importance of seeking justice.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Found Family Formation

  • Liz discovered she was pregnant in early 1994 and the four women decided to raise the baby together as a found family.
  • Their apartment became a hub where the women cared for each other's children and built a chosen-family life.
ANECDOTE

Accusations From A Family Visit

  • After a week-long visit, Liz's nieces accused her of violent sexual abuse and Javier and their grandmother reported nightmares and strange behavior.
  • Liz cooperated with police, believing her innocence would clear them, but the investigation escalated rapidly.
INSIGHT

Sexuality Framed As Guilt

  • The prosecution leaned on sexualized, sensational rhetoric and the women's sexuality to inflame jurors.
  • Work schedules, missing evidence, and inconsistent child testimonies undermined the plausibility of the state's narrative.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app