Legally Brunette

For more than 20 years, the murders of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, seemed like a closed case. But A&E's Scott Peterson: The New Evidence is challenging everything we thought we knew. This week on Killer Thriller Docu, Jennifer Fessler sits down with veteran defense attorney and ABC News legal consultant Chris Pixley to unpack the explosive new documentary, the evidence that could change the case forever, and why the Los Angeles Innocence Project believes Scott Peterson may not have received a fair trial. From overlooked witnesses to new forensic analysis, this is a conversation that will leave you questioning one of the most notorious murder convictions in modern history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first trial to be televised in the U.S. was none other than Pamela Smart: the teacher who had an affair with her student and convinced him to kill her husband… Or so the jury declared. Do Emily and Shane believe this trial was anything other than a “he said, she said”? Did the overwhelming media presence influence the jury? Did her sentence fit the crime? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A newborn abandoned. A mother accused 30 years later. But is this case as straightforward as it seems? Jennifer Fessler sits down with ‘Baby Doe’ director Jessica Earnshaw to examine the shocking true story behind her powerful new documentary. They discuss the controversial prosecution of Gail Ritchie, the little-known phenomenon of pregnancy denial, the courtroom decisions that shaped her murder trial and why the verdict and why this case continues to divide audiences long after the verdict. It's a conversation that may leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about guilt, justice, and compassion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a bored housewife engages in an affair with her friend’s husband, what’s the result? Candy Montgomery’s story ends with her whacking someone with an axe over 40 times… But was it in self-defense? How does a hypnotherapist and unresolved childhood trauma play a part in Candy’s case? Did she end up on death row or walk free?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile glamorize Ted Bundy or expose the uncomfortable truth about one of history's most notorious serial killers? Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger addresses the criticism head-on. He explains why Zac Efron was the only choice to play Ted Bundy, why audiences were supposed to feel uncomfortable, and what the controversy says about the way we judge evil.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What really turned Aaron Hernandez from NFL superstar into convicted killer? As seen in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez...alleged childhood abuse, hidden sexuality, severe brain trauma, paranoia, drugs, football culture, and the pressure of living a double life may all have contributed to an escalating pattern of violence. In this episode, forensic psychologist Dr. Rachel Toles unpacks the shocking layers behind the case, why so many warning signs were overlooked, and the chilling question at the center of the case: could this all have been prevented?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane are joined by Terrill Swift, who was just 17 years old when he confessed to a crime he did not commit, and Dave Thompson, an expert in police interrogations and false confessions.   Together, Terrill and Dave are discussing the complexities surrounding false confessions and false imprisonment. Terrill was in prison for 14 years as an innocent man… What did he experience?    How can a jury decipher a false confession from a real confession? What happens psychologically for a false confession to occur? How are Dave, Terrill & The Innocence Center changing the system for the better?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denise Huskins was abducted in the middle of the night from her boyfriend’s house. The police first believed her boyfriend murdered her then when they received a voice recording of Denise alive they were convinced she was copying the movie “Gone Girl”. In a bizarre twist Denise was released 48 hours later and upon her return she realized that the police and media didn’t believe she was actually abducted and were not actually looking for her captor.  Denise Huskins joins Jenn to talk about her horrifying experience and what she endured trying to convince the world that she was indeed kidnapped. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olympic dressage competitor Michael Barisone shot his student, Lauren Kanarek, in 2019 after a year of tension and alleged harassment. Though Lauren was the victim, do Emily and Shane believe she’s entirely innocent?  Was Michael’s “temporary insanity” case valid, considering he still looked mentally unstable two years after the shooting?!  Plus, what did they think about the Netflix documentary on this case? Do others agree that Lauren isn’t the most likable?!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quiet night. A locked door. And a stranger is already inside. She thought she was safe. She wasn’t.In this episode, Director Traci Hays and star Tyler Perez talk about Kidnapped in Her Own Home: The Martha Carelli Story, a chilling story where a quiet life is shattered when a stranger takes control from inside of a home. But what makes it even more disturbing? There’s no grand plan, no personal motive, just the terrifying randomness of how it all began.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Larry Rudolph was given an ultimatum by his mistress, he decided to murder his wife, Bianca Rudolph, while on an African Safari. Larry was a master con-man disguising himself as a prominent local dentist. From claiming $30,000/month in insurance money for a “crocodile bite” to pocketing $4.8M of life insurance after killing his wife, he felt he could get away with anything. But, marrying his mistress, overspending his undeserved cash and eventually yelling, “I killed my wife for you!” in a restaurant finally led to his & his mistress’ demise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the gruesome new details about Bryan Kohberger’s murder tactics to the A-list celebs that are being put on blast due to the Lively v. Baldoni dispute, Emily and Shane are updating you on the most-talked about cases right now.Did you know Michael McKee stopped by the Tepe’s house a few weeks before their murders? What did Brendan Banfield testify at his own murder trial? Why are Gabby Petito’s parents suing the Moab Police Department?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrea Yates called the police on herself to confess to an unthinkable crime. She drowned all five of her children in a bathtub while her husband was at work. Emily and Shane are taking a deep dive into this horrific scene and detailing how postpartum psychosis, a cult-like preacher and a seemingly oblivious husband played into it.Though there was no doubt Andrea executed the act, how was she found “not guilty”? What does her ex-husband have to say about her in a new 2026 docuseries?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt’s child abuse charges in 2023, a new Netflix documentary is diving into the influence that Hildebrandt held over Franke and many other LDS church members throughout her career. Shane’s position as an active LDS member lends perspective as to why local bishops would endorse Hildebrandt and the emphasis that the Mormon culture seems to place on certain “addictions”. Plus, Emily admits her own theories about Jodi and why she targeted her harshest punishments towards men and children specifically.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As 2025 comes to an end, we'd like to thank every single one of you for listening and supporting this podcast. We can't wait to continue diving into true crime in the new year, and we have a few exciting changes coming your way... Have a safe holiday! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're wishing you all a very happy holiday! Thank you for supporting and listening to Legally Brunette. We'll see you back in the New Year! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Christmas Eve in 2008, Bruce Pardo dressed up as Santa Claus and set out to kill his ex-wife and all of her relatives. He used semi-automatic guns and a self-made flame thrower to accomplish his goal, killing 9 people in total. Emily and Shane are diving into this horrific massacre, analyzing Bruce’s motives and plans to accomplish such a huge tragedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Reiner has officially been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Emily and Shane are diving into new details about his strange behavior the night before the murders, the bloodied hotel room he left behind and the surveillance video showing his arrest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily and Shane are discussing Nathan Carman, the boy that was accused of fatally shooting his grandfather in 2013 before murdering his mother three years later. Was his grandfather’s $42 million fortune his incentive to commit the first murder? Did he abandon his mother in the middle of the ocean because she knew his secret? When Nathan committed suicide in his jail cell, did that prove his guilt?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First, Emily and Shane are providing the latest updates on the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was killed on a Carnival Cruise this month. Then, they’re interviewing Eva LaRue and her daughter, Kaya. Eva’s docuseries “My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story” is streaming on Paramount+ and dives into the horrific stalker that tormented Eva and Kaya’s lives for 12 years.They’re diving into genetic genealogy’s breakthrough role in this case, what Eva’s message is to every woman out there, and how she and Kaya feel now that their stalker is walking free. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WARNING: This episode contains detailed references to rape and sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, confidential support is available at RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPEEmily and Shane are sitting down with the Sacramento County DA and lead prosecutor on The Golden State Killer case, Thien Ho. Thien’s new memoir, “The People vs. The Golden State Killer” gives readers an inside look at this serial rapist/killer and the many victims he impacted along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan Lorincz shot her neighbor in 2023 under the guise of self defense which is protected under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law.Emily and Shane are dissecting Susan’s motives and the events leading up to the shooting. Plus, they’re diving into the “Stand Your Ground” law that other cases, like Trayvon Martin & George Zimmerman, have centered around too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At just 19 years old, Stephen Patterson was given a life sentence in prison for a crime he did not commit. When an eye-witness wrongfully placed Stephen at the scene of a murder, his life changed forever.Today, Emily and Shane are sitting down with Stephen to discuss his 18 years in prison, his involvement with The Innocence Center and life after a wrongful conviction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.