The Skinwalker Defense: Sarah Saganisto's Murder and an Arizona Acquittal

Send Kris and Rob a Text Message! On a cold morning in 1987, Sarah L. Saganitso was found behind Flagstaff Medical Center — her body arranged in a way that made investigators pause. The scene didn't look like any murder they'd worked before. And that discomfort, that hesitation, would become the foundation of one of the most unusual criminal defenses in American legal history. George Abney was charged with her murder. What followed was a trial that forced a courtroom in northern Arizona to grapple with questions no law school curriculum had prepared anyone to answer: Where does evidence end and belief begin? What happens when a defense attorney weaponizes cultural tradition to build reasonable doubt? And what is justice owed to a Diné woman when the system tasked with protecting her becomes a stage for something else entirely? The defense called it a Skinwalker — a figure from Navajo spiritual tradition, a shape-shifting witch capable of dark and violent acts. They pointed to the odd details at the scene and asked the jury to consider another explanation. Not George Abney. Something else. Something ancient. The jury acquitted. In this episode, we examine the physical evidence, the courtroom strategy, the cultural context of Navajo beliefs around witchcraft and death, and the profound ethical questions raised when indigenous spirituality is filtered through the adversarial machinery of American criminal law. We speak with legal analysts and approach the Diné perspective with the care and respect it demands. This is not a story about the supernatural. It is a story about a woman who deserved better — and a system that let her down in ways both mundane and extraordinary. Sarah L. Saganitso deserved justice. This is her case. Content note: This episode discusses homicide, Indigenous cultural beliefs, and systemic failures in the criminal justice system. We approach the Navajo cultural elements discussed in this case with care, context, and respect. sources used for this podcast Support the show JOIN THE  HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWS START KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREE H2H WEBSITE H2H on TWITTER H2H on INSTA DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY: The content presented in this podcast and any associated video, blog, or social media is produced for entertainment and informational purposes only. Hitched 2 Homicide is not a legal authority, and nothing contained herein constitutes legal advice, factual findings, or editorial conclusions of any kind. All opinions expressed are solely those of the hosts and do not represent the views of any affiliated network, platform, or sponsor. All cases discussed are researched using publicly available sources, open records, court documents, and archived materials. We make every effort to ensure accuracy; however, we make no warranties — express or implied — regarding the completeness or reliability of the information presented. PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE:  All individuals referenced in connection with pending or concluded criminal matters are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. All individuals referenced in connection with pending or concluded civil matters are presumed not liable unless and until adjudicated otherwise by a court of competent jurisdiction. FAIR USE: Some material incorporated into this podcast is presented under the Fair Use doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107) for purposes of commentary, criticism, and education. Copyright in such material is retained by the respective original author or rights holder. Hitched 2 Homicide makes no claim of ownership over third-party copyrighted content. OUR COMMITMENT TO VICTIMS: At Hitched 2 Homicide, we are committed to honoring the lives of the victims at the center of every case we cover — not just the circumstances of their deaths. We approach each story with respect for victims, their families, and their loved ones, and we strive to ensure that every person we discuss is remembered as a whole human being first. All sources relied upon in the production of each episode are credited to the best of our ability. Any errors brought to our attention will be promptly corrected. Hitched 2 Homicide. All rights reserved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.