Ernesto Miranda did it. There was no question. He confessed. His confession included a statement acknowledging that he was aware of his rights. But no one told him what those rights were. How do you know what you don't know? In Miranda v. Arizona, the Supreme Court would overturn his conviction and …
Room For Innocence
by Tom and Chris
Siblings Tom and Chris discuss the moral and ethical issues involved in criminal defense. A little true crime, a little legal strategy, and lots of fun. We hope this podcast will help you better understand how criminal defense works, why it's critical to our civil rights, and just how well defense attorneys sleep at night.
Latest Episodes
Today we wrap up the wrongful conviction story of Lamonte McIntyre.
In 1994, Lamonte McIntyre was convicted for a double murder that he didn't commit. He was 17 years old. He served 23 years before his wrongful conviction was overturned. This wasn't a case of an unfortunate series of mistakes. No, …
In 1994, Lamonte McIntyre was convicted for a double murder that he didn't commit. He was 17 years old. He served 23 years before his wrongful conviction was overturned. This wasn't a case of an unfortunate series of mistakes. No, this was corruption, coercion, and abuse of power.
Join siblings Tom…
November 2019. Everyone is wondering where Lori's children are (except for Lori). Police do a welfare check on the home and the children are nowhere to be found. Lori says they are with a family friend, but the family friend says she hasn't seen them in months. Lori recently married Chad, whose wife…
In October of 2002, a sniper terrorized the Washington, DC metro area, shooting over a dozen people with no apparent motive or pattern. This one is personal, as it happened in Chris's neck of the woods. And Tom was a trained sharpshooter for the Marines, so he has a lot of insight into how snipers o…
In October of 2002, a sniper terrorized the Washington, DC metro area, shooting over a dozen people with no apparent motive or pattern. This one is personal, as it happened in Chris's neck of the woods. And Tom was a trained sharpshooter for the Marines, so he has a lot of insight into how snipers o…
R. Kelly sure could create an earworm. How else did a man who was repeatedly accused of sexual abuse of minors continue releasing chart-topping music for decades? In today's episode, Tom and Chris talk about what had to happen in order to get R. Kelly where he is today... that is, prison. And of cou…
Jeffrey Dahmer's apartment smells bad. Really bad. Tom and Chris can't agree on whether it's the body parts in the refrigerator, the skeletons in the closet, or the 57-gallon drum next to the bed. All we know is, if he invites you over for a nude photo sesh, POLITELY DECLINE.
Find us just about anyw…
A cyclist sees a young girl crawling out of the woods, bloody and nearly dead. She's been stabbed. He asks the girl who did it, and she says "my best friend."
Join Tom and Chris as we talk about juveniles committing crimes, trying juveniles as adults, and mental health concerns.
Find us just about…
Jodi Arias needs an alibi. Her ex-boyfriend Travis is dead. But it couldn't have been her. She wan't even there! Okay, she was there, but he was killed by masked intruders! Okay, okay, fine, she did it, but it was self-defense.
Join Tom and Chris as we navigate the Choose Your Own Adventure defense…
Join us for part two of this series, trial of Elizabeth Holmes. Be sure you listen to Episode 7: Elizabeth Homes - The Rise and Fall of Theranos before this episode!
Imagine a world where you could run 200 diagnostic tests on a single drop of blood. Testing would be affordable and accessible. Patien…
Imagine a world where you could run 200 diagnostic tests on a single drop of blood. Testing would be affordable and accessible. Patients wouldn't have to give vials of blood from a needle in their arm. People could find out they were sick long before experiencing significant symptoms, leading to ea…
How do you defend someone who may have hurt children? This week, Tom and Chris cover some tough topics. First, the victims in this case were children. Second, the accused was acquitted but recent DNA evidence shows that he may have actually been guilty.
On June 13, 1977, the bodies of three Girl Sc…
In this episode, Tom and Chris cover the trial of Brock Turner, who was charged with sexual assault after being found on top of a half-naked unconscious woman in 2015. They discuss the key facts of the case that the jury needed to decide and also how a defense attorney can represent someone when th…
This week, Tom and Chris discuss self-defense and the Justifiable Use of Deadly Force.
On January 13, 2014, Curtis Reeves went to an afternoon showing of The Lone Survivor. Sitting in front of him, Chad Oulson was scrolling on his cell phone... during the previews. Within minutes, Chad was lying de…
In this episode, Tom and Chris discuss false confessions. How did the police get five teenaged boys to confess to raping a female jogger in Central Park in 1989? How did a jury find them guilty when there was no corroborating evidence? And how did they eventually find themselves exonerated?
Also, ch…
Scott Peterson was imprisoned in 2004 for the murders of his wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner. The evidence in the case was entirely circumstantial, with no forensic evidence connecting Scott to Laci's death. How does a jury decide guilt in a case like this? In this episode, Tom and Chris di…
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In 1961, Clarence Earl Gideon was accused of burglary. Facing five years in prison if found guilty, Gideon was unable to afford legal counsel, and the court refused to provide him a lawyer. He was found guilty and sent…