The Mug Book - Criminal

What this episode covers

After a gang leader was murdered in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the only witnesses who would talk with the police were tourists. They looked through so-called “mug books” filled with photographs of Asian men - and pointed out a man named Chol Soo Lee. Years later, a journalist decided to investigate his case, and described it as an “unreal, Alice-in-Chinatown murder case." Today’s episode comes from the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast. Julie Ha's documentary is Free Chol Soo Lee. Join our newsletter by 2/28/26 to be entered to win a free year of Criminal Plus: ⁠⁠thisiscriminal.com/newsletter⁠⁠. (Additional rules apply.) Say hello on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. Follow the show and review us on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠. ⁠Sign up for Criminal Plus⁠ to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. 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

Sacramento Crime Report — June 15, 2026

Jun 15, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 14, 2026

Jun 14, 2026 ·2m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 13, 2026

Jun 13, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 12, 2026

Jun 12, 2026 ·3m

Sacramento Crime Report — June 11, 2026

Jun 11, 2026 ·3m

Managing Stress In The Legal Atmosphere

Jun 10, 2026 ·27m

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 47 minutes long.

When was this Criminal episode published?

This episode was published on February 27, 2026.

What is this episode about?

After a gang leader was murdered in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the only witnesses who would talk with the police were tourists. They looked through so-called “mug books” filled with photographs of Asian men - and pointed out a man named Chol Soo...

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.