State of North Carolina v. Joan Little - Criminal

What this episode covers

When Karen Bethea-Shields was in college, she heard a judge say, “No way in the world a Black woman can get raped.” A few years later, in 1975, she helped successfully defend Joan Little—a Black woman—who became the first woman in the U.S. to be found not guilty of murder using the defense that she used deadly force to resist sexual assault. Say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Accomplice. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: iTunes.com/CriminalShow. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, members-only merch, and more. Learn more and sign up here. Listen back through our archives at youtube.com/criminalpodcast. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

# Sean Combs Faces Mounting Legal Storm: Civil Suits, Federal Investigation, and Industry Fallout Reshape Hip-Hop Mogul's Legacy

Jun 21, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 20, 2026

Jun 20, 2026 ·2m

# Diddy's Four-Year Reckoning: Prison, Appeals, and a Legacy in Freefall

Jun 17, 2026 ·4m

# Diddy's Empire in Freefall: Decades of Allegations, Lawsuits, and Cultural Reckoning

Jun 15, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 15, 2026

Jun 15, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 14, 2026

Jun 14, 2026 ·2m

Similar Podcasts

The Laura Ingraham Show Laura Ingraham The most-watched woman in the history of cable news brings her no-holds-barred political and cultural commentary to podcasting with The Laura Ingraham Show. A bestselling author, breast cancer survivor, and mother of three internationally adopted children, Laura was the most listened-to woman in talk radio before launching her own podcast. A trailblazer across media platforms, she brings a unique perspective to this twice-weekly show, drawing on her experience as a white-collar criminal defense litigator and a Supreme Court law clerk.New episodes drop twice a week—delivering the clarity, courage, and common sense America needs. Sacramento, California Crime Report Inception Point Ai Sacramento, California Crime Report is your go-to podcast for the latest updates and in-depth analysis of crime trends in the Sacramento area. Join us as we explore real cases, discuss law enforcement efforts, and offer expert insights into the community's safety. Stay informed and engaged with comprehensive coverage of everything from local crime stories to broader criminal justice issues affecting Sacramento. Tune in for weekly episodes that dive into the data and deliver the facts you need to stay aware in California's capital city. For more info go to https://www.quietplease.ai Check out these deals https://amzn.to/48MZPjsThis show includes AI-generated content. light old radio maoshibo Pat Novak for Hire：Classic old time radio showing starring Jack Webb (1946, 1949) and Ben Morris (1947-48) as Pat Novak, a street wise guy who rents boats and anything else a good man pays a bad one to do.The Green Hornet：Classified as a juvenile crime drama but written and acted with more adult style than most of the breed, "The Green Hornet"---whose protagonist fought crime by infiltrating or even partnering (initially) with known criminal operations, which deceive police into believing him a wanted criminal himself---was the creation of George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, the brains and head writer behind "The Lone Ranger" (whose protagonist, according to storyline, was the great-uncle of Britt Reid, the heir who assumed control of the Daily Sentinel newspaper publisher and takes the crimefighting guise of the Green Hornet).Perry Mason：Perry Mason was a 15-minute show (including commercials, etc.) that aired five times a week. It ran from October 1943 to December 1955. S TrialEffort: Amber Guyger Full Trial Audio Trial Effort Listen to the full trialIn September 2018, off-duty police officer Amber Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean, an unarmed Black man, in his own apartment. The shooting immediately sparked outrage and protests across the country, highlighting issues of police brutality and racial inequality in the criminal justice system.The trial, which took place in September 2019, lasted just over a week and featured emotional testimony from both sides.Guyger argued that she believed she was in her own apartment and that Jean was an intruder, while prosecutors argued that she acted recklessly and without regard for Jean's life.Listen to raw testimony, lawyer's arguements, and Judge Tamm Kemp's rulings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Criminal?

This episode is 37 minutes long.

When was this Criminal episode published?

This episode was published on June 28, 2024.

What is this episode about?

When Karen Bethea-Shields was in college, she heard a judge say, “No way in the world a Black woman can get raped.” A few years later, in 1975, she helped successfully defend Joan Little—a Black woman—who became the first woman in the U.S. to be...

Can I download this Criminal episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.