I’ve had a few appreciative tweets and seen increased blog traffic as a result of my recent podcast recommendations. I’ve picked up a few US readers too. It seems a whole host of you have discovered fresh new true-crime content to scare you before bed-time, or simply indulge your hunger for all things murder and mystery - so I’ve decided to make this a regular feature.
So how about a new recommendation to spice up your Soundcloud/Stitcher or iTunes account?
Suspect Convictions Podcast
Suspect Convictions is a new US investigative podcast from NPR affiliate WVIK and former QC Times reporter Scott Reeder looking at the 1990 murder of Quad City resident 9 year-old Jennifer Ann Lewis and the subsequent conviction(s) of “lead suspect” Stanley Liggins.
The case has ignited huge controversy in the epicentre states of Illinois and Iowa, and has the potential to send shock waves further afield if we consider the now cult cases of Adnan Syed (Serial) and Steven Avery (Making a Murderer). It has all the (sadly) sensational elements broadcasters and armchair detectives love - child neglect, child poverty, inferred racism and, of course, murder. A horrendous murder at that.
Without giving too much away, having been sent by an albeit sketchy acquaintance of her parents (Stanley Liggins) out to buy some gum from a nearby store, Jennifer was reported missing around an hour later. She was later discovered in an adjacent field of a nearby elementary school, having been sexually assaulted, strangled to death, then set on fire.
As the last known person to have seen her alive, Liggins quickly came under suspicion, and a wealth of circumstantial evidence bolstered the theory. He was subsequently convicted twice by Scott County juries, yet both convictions have since been overturned. Although Liggins’ case will be brought back to court again in May 2017, the podcast hints that new evidence casts serious doubt on his guilt.
The podcast is sequential, moving through from the crime itself, to Jennifer’s somewhat auspicious beginnings, to the State’s case against Liggins. It promises to delve into his previous jury trials, the apparent weakness of the case against him, and alternate theories. Like all good podcasts, it’s unapologetically bold in its timing - raising a middle finger to the lawyers who are currently refining their arguments behind closed doors. Presented now, a few short months away from what is to be the final judgement, we expect it to shake things up - lay bare the shortcomings of law enforcement, give some kind of hope to the much maligned Liggins, and force proponents of either side to consider the impossible.
Our goal is to be objective. We give you the facts and you make your opinion Reporter Alfredo Manteca, WVIK
Will it deliver?
Well I’ve binge-listened to the first few episodes, and am already mentally high-fiving narrator Lacy Scarmana. With real-life audio footage from key witnesses (including (former) prosecutor Bill Davis, (former) defense attorneys Gary McKenrick and Mike Tobey), Jennifer’s family, and most interestingly Liggins himself, the characters take on a richness not afforded by your average podcast. They haven’t misrepresented Jennifer or her family either, or pushed too hard to elicit sympathy for mum. For me, this makes it a more credible and authentic listen.
The portrait is one of real tragedy and horror - the sort of thing we all imagine as happening to “someone else’s” child never to ourselves, and never in our town. It’s evolving into an expertly scripted, well-produced and sensitively-handled podcast - one that pierces through the speakers of your iPhone, and has you Googling and trawling through Web Sleuths pages at 1am - definitely worth a listen.
CHECK IT OUT HERE: TRAILER: Suspect Convictions
Let me know what you think
