Women and Crime

Ep 44: A few days before Christmas in 2012, Jim & Sandy Melgar were celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary. However, by the end of the night, tragedy would strike and the next day family members would find Jim dead, brutally stabbed and beaten, while Sandy was found alive locked in a closet tied to a chair. Controversy would soon arise as investigators would question whether this tragedy was indeed a home invasion, or if there was a more sinister plot behind these events?Sources Cited for this episode: Dateline   ABC News  KHOU 11 ABCnews FreeSandyMelgar.com  Sponsors: Acorn TV - Try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to Acorn.TV and use my promo code "women".Green Chef - Go to GreenChef.com/90women and use code 90women to get $90 off including free shipping!Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks: Beverly Mora Luna Get Social: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Houston, Texas, Jaime Melgar, Innocence Project of Texas, 2012, Wrongfully Convicted, Harris County DA  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 43: Over the period of 2 years, five children would disappear in Manchester England and would never seen by their loved ones again. Known as the most notorious child murders of their time, the country was shocked when the identity of the two perpetrators was made public… a killer couple was responsible for these brutal murderers, a match made between a cruel sadist and, to everyone’s surprise, a young female accomplice.From all of us at Women & Crime: we thank AcornTV for sponsoring today’s show. Try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to http://www.Acorn.TV and use promo code women. Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways:  Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime Merchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merch Credits:• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks• Produced and Edited by James Varga• Music by Dessert MediaSocial Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Ian Brady, The Moors Murders, 1963-1965, Pauline Reade, John Killbride, Keith Bennett, Lesley Ann Downey, Edward Evans, United Kingdom,  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 42: Soon after Mark van Dongen ended his relationship with Berlinah Wallace. She would lure him back to her home under the guise of reconciliation. However, That evening while Mark was asleep, Berlinah poured sulfuric acid on his face and body. The burns Mark suffered from the attack left him critically injured with pain that would prove to be unbearable. How culpable was Berlinah for Mark’s fate, and would justice be ultimately be served?Sources Cited for this episode: Guardian  The Bristol Post  Daily Record  BBC  The Washington Post  NPR  The Times UK  Judiciary  Acid Survivors Trust International  National Coalition Against Domestic Violence  Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks: Danielle Kolbasowski Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Acid Attack, Mark Van Dongen, Bristol, England, Euthanasia, Justice Nicola Davies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 41: On June 10, 1983, in Torrington Connecticut, a young mother was violently attacked by her ex-husband. The vicious attack would spill over into the streets of Torrington around horrified spectators and a police officer who seemed unable to stop this brutal crimeCould this act have been prevented in the first place if the police had just listened to the young woman’s cries for help? And who would find the bravery to champion new laws protecting women in future?Help is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Sources Cited for this episode: The Hartford Courant The Register Citizen The Republican American Archives Sponsors: Daily Harvest - Get $25 off your first order at http://www.daily-harvest.com when you use the promo code: WOMENPretty Litter - Get the world’s smartest litter without leaving home by visiting PrettyLitter.com and use promo code WOMEN for 20% off your first order.Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterKeywords: Torrington, Connecticut, Charles "Buck" Thurman, Thurman vs. City of Torrington, Failure of Equal Protection Under the Law, "A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 40 - UK edition: After an unstable early life at home, a young teenage girl in Manchester, England finds herself a new group of friends who she looked at as family and who she believed loved herBut what happens one person in the group would turn on the teenage girl? Would the others follow and how devastating would the consequences be?Today's episode is brought to you by AcornTV. Try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to Acorn.TV and use our promo code "women".Sources Cited for this episode:Medium.com, The Independent, Screenrant, The ConfidentialsSupport Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits:• Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks• Produced and Edited by James Varga• Music by Dessert MediaSocial Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Greater Manchester, England, Tortured and Kidnapped, Jean Powell, Glyn Powell, Bernadette McNeilly, Jeffrey Leigh, Clifford Pook, Anthony Michael Dudson  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 39: This woman made history as the America’s first Hispanic woman to be appointed as a federal judge, unfortunately many people only became aware of her after tragedy struck her family on the evening of July 19, 2020 when a gunman open fired. What happened that fateful night and how did this tragedy ignite change? Sources Cited for this episode:United States District Courts, District of New Jersey, US Today, The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR NBC News, Women’s Health, NJ Monthly, New Jersey Globe, CNN, Newsweek, GMA Sponsors: Acorn TV - Try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to Acorn dot TV and use my promo code "women".Green Chef - Go to GreenChef.com/90women and use code 90women to get $90 off including free shipping!Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Research by Alexis Orphanoudakis Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: US District Judge, Newark, New Jersey, First Hispanic Woman Judge, Barack Obama, Teresa and Joe Giudice, Real Housewives Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 38: Though they only met a few times, this teenage couple claimed to be in love. And after one of them winds up taking his own life, evidence would soon surface through the thousands of text messages they sent that the surviving teen may not have deserved any sympathy.Would this young man still be alive today if not for this girl and can words be enough to convict someone of murder? Sources Cited for this episode:“I Love you Now Die: The Commonwealth versus Michelle Carter” , A CNN article , Cbsnews.com , An article from people.com Sponsors: Daily Harvest - Get $25 off your first order at http://www.daily-harvest.com when you use the promo code: WOMENPretty Litter - Get the world’s smartest litter without leaving home by visiting PrettyLitter.com and use promo code WOMEN for 20% off your first order.Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks: Kate Casey Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: "The Girl from Plainville", Conrad Roy iii, Assitsted Suicide, Texting-Suicide Case, Involuntary Manslaughter, 2014 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 37: It’s been over four years since 34 year old mother Sherri Papini vanished then reappeared 22 days later, chained and branded, 15 pounds lighter with cut hair, a broken nose and severe bruising. What happened to Sherri- Was she the victim of a brutal kidnapping or was this all a hoax? CASE UPDATE: Look for our update on this case published 3/6/22 Sources Cited for this episode: NY POST, ABC News, MSNBC, Sacramento Bee, 20/20 on ID, People.com, NPRSponsors: Acorn TV - Try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to Acorn dot TV and use my promo code "women".Green Chef - Go to GreenChef.com/women90 and use code women90 to get $90 off including free shipping!Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Kidnapping Hoax, Redding, California, Shasta County, California Victim Compensation, Keith Papini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[BONUS Episode] Meg & Amy are joined by psychologists Dr. Shiloh & Dr. Scott from “L.A. Not So Confidential” podcast, to examine the Cindy James case from a psychologists’ point of view. In the 1980s Cindy James claimed she was the victim of over 100 acts of violence, including many forms of psychological and physical abuse by an unknown offender. However, even with a heavy police presence and help from a private investigator, her assailant could never be identified and eventually the police would suspect Cindy was doing this to herself. These attacks would culminated in Cindy’s death, but was it murder or suicide?Ours guests discuss the psychology behind a range of behaviors from stalking, to hoaxing your own assaults. Sponsors: Daily Harvest - Get $25 off your first order at http://www.daily-harvest.com when you use the promo code: WOMENPretty Litter - Get the world’s smartest litter without leaving home by visiting PrettyLitter.com and use promo code WOMEN for 20% off your first order.Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Special Thanks: Dr. Scott & Dr. Shiloh from L.A. Not So Confidential Podcast Show your Support:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Follow Us on Social: YouTube | Instagram | Tik Tok | Facebook | Reddit | TwitterPatron - ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade to get an extra episode every month, exclusive AMAs with the hosts, lecture series on criminal justice, our true crime book club, and more! Check out our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeApple Subscriptions - Ad-free shows are now available through Apple’s podcast app for only $1.99 a month.Merchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out: https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 36: Four days after her wedding, this beautiful, loving, young 21-year-old newlywed, was murdered. Was this a brutal murder by a stranger or did someone else, closer to home, have a motive for this murder?Sponsors: Daily Harvest - Get $25 off your first order at http://www.daily-harvest.com when you use the promo code: WOMENPretty Litter - Get the world’s smartest litter without leaving home by visiting PrettyLitter.com and use promo code WOMEN for 20% off your first order.Support Our Work:The easiest way you can support us is by leaving a review, telling your friends, sharing on social media or by sending us a note. We love to hear from our audience! You can also support the show through the following ways: Patron - If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to hear ad-free shows, have access to exclusive AMAs with the hosts, or just want support what we are doing in general, please checkout our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrimeMerchandise - For T-shirts, Hoodies, notebooks, stickers and mugs check out https://www.womenandcrimepodcast.com/merchCredits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced and Edited by James Varga Music by Dessert Media Social Links: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Reddit | TwitterHelp is Available:If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For details please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/Keywords: Michel Escoto, 2002, Yolanda Cerrillo, Florida, Life Insurance Payout, $1 million, Miami-Dade County  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices