587: #587 Maggie Freleng with Deborah Nicholls episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 20, 2026 · 39 MIN

587: #587 Maggie Freleng with Deborah Nicholls

from Wrongful Conviction Podcasts · host Wrongful Conviction Podcasts

One evening in March, 2003, a fire broke out in Deborah Nicholls' Colorado Springs, CO home, killing her three children. Her husband suffered significant burns, but escaped. After a 2-year investigation, it was determined that the fire was not accidental, and that Deborah and her husband started it for the insurance money. The trial was a battle of the experts – one presenting the junk science of arson evidence, one asserting that the science was outdated. The former triumphed, and Deborah was sent to prison for the murder of her children. Maggie speaks to Deborah Nicholls, Deborah's father, Douglas Baumgardner, and Deborah's attorneys, Anne-Marie Moyes, Director of the Korey Wise Innocence Project and Kathleen Lord, Staff Attorney at the Korey Wise Innocence Project. To learn more and get involved, visit: https://lavaforgood.com/podcast/149-wrongful-conviction-junk-science-arson-evidence/ https://www.colorado.edu/outreach/korey-wise-innocence-project/ https://giving.cu.edu/fund/korey-wise-innocence-project-fund District Attorney John Newsome: https://www.denverpost.com/2009/01/15/former-springs-da-cited-for-official-misconduct-for-misusing-funds https://gazette.com/news/newsome-i-sincerely-apologize/article_4886ac0d-fb7c-5c21-b7a2-15ea6c12ef4e.html Assistant District Attorney Amy Mullaney: https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/report-da-drove-county-vehicle-after-drinking-8-beers/73-343049675 Attorney Representing Tim Nicholls: https://gazette.com/news/respected-colorado-springs-attorney-dennis-hartley-disbarred-over-misdeeds/article_c137be7a-c37e-11e9-aace-b7dbb10e4465.html  May 07, 2010 20/20 episode Burned, The Amanda Gutweiler story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X8Bk8oBNG8  If you'd like to write to Deborah, send mail to: Deborah Nicholls #144097 PO BOX #392005 Denver, Co 80239 Wrongful Conviction with Maggie Freleng is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. ​​We have worked hard to ensure that all facts reported in this show are accurate. The views and opinions expressed by the individuals featured in this show are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Lava for Good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 20, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

587: #587 Maggie Freleng with Deborah Nicholls

0:00 39:19

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Wrongful Conviction Podcasts?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this Wrongful Conviction Podcasts episode published?

This episode was published on August 20, 2026.

Can I download this Wrongful Conviction Podcasts episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!