Madeleine Baran

We’re pleased to announce that “In The Dark,” the acclaimed investigative podcast from American Public Media, is joining The New Yorker and Condé Nast Entertainment. In its first two seasons, “In The Dark,” hosted by the reporter Madeleine Baran, has taken a close look at the criminal-justice system in America. The first season examined the abduction and murder, in 1989, of eleven-year-old Jacob Wetterling, and exposed devastating failures on the part of law enforcement. The second season focussed on Curtis Flowers, a Black man from Winona, Mississippi, who was tried six times for the same crime. When the show’s reporters began looking into the case, Flowers was on death row. After their reporting, the Supreme Court reversed Flowers’s conviction. Today, he is a free man.  A third season of “In The Dark,” which will be the show’s most ambitious one yet, is on its way. David Remnick recently sat down with Baran and the show’s managing producer, Samara Freemark, to talk about the remarkable first two seasons of the show, and what to expect in the future. To listen to the entirety of the “In The Dark” catalogue, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Madeleine Baran and Parker Yesko, investigative reporters from the New Yorker’s In the Dark podcast, dive into the harrowing Haditha incident where Marines killed 24 civilians in 2005. They reveal the hurdles of military justice and the systemic failures in prosecuting these war crimes. Their newly compiled database of possible American war crimes serves as a vital resource, spotlighting the challenges of transparency and accountability. They discuss the legal complexities faced when uncovering the truth behind U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Madeleine Baran, the lead reporter behind the investigative podcast, unfolds a chilling narrative about the Haditha killings in Iraq, where 24 civilians lost their lives to U.S. Marines in 2005. She discusses the complex layers of truth: was it a war crime, a tragic mistake, or something else? Baran shares Khalid's poignant quest for justice after losing his family, revealing the emotional scars that remain. The probing investigation exposes the struggles of victims’ families against a backdrop of unresolved grief and the elusive nature of military accountability.

Emily Schultheis, a journalist specializing in election policies, discusses upcoming ballot measures like minimum-wage increases and marijuana legalization. Madeleine Baran highlights the U.S. military's troubling handling of war crimes, focusing on the Haditha Massacre and systemic issues in military justice. Additionally, recent data reveals a dramatic 10% drop in overdose deaths, igniting hope and discussions on the impact of addiction narratives. The conversation is a compelling mix of current events and deep dives into critical societal issues.

Madeleine Baran, an investigative journalist and host of "In the Dark," discusses the alarming case of Curtis Flowers, who has faced six trials for a quadruple homicide in Mississippi. She highlights the racial biases in jury selection that have plagued his case, examining how the Batson Rule aims to combat such discrimination. Baran reveals the systemic injustices within the legal system and the implications of Curtis's journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, shedding light on the broader issues of racial disparity and legal misconduct.