The In Between Podcast with Mel Barrett

On April 2, 2025, a sudden rainstorm at a Frisco, Texas track meet forced athletes to scramble for shelter. Two minutes later, 17-year-old Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed, and 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony was in police custody claiming self-defense.In this episode, of The In Between Podcast, Mel Barrett unpacks the explosive Collin County trial that culminated in Karmelo’s 35-year murder conviction. Mel examines the rigid boundaries of Texas's "Stand Your Ground" laws, the controversial "Batson challenge" that resulted in an all-White jury, and the prosecution’s successful framing of Karmelo's fear as a calculated "sneak attack."But the law doesn't exist in a vacuum. Using historical context and startling justifiable homicide data from the Urban Institute, Mel asks the uncomfortable question at the center of this tragedy: What happens to the justice system when you completely invert the racial dynamic? We explore how prosecutorial language, jury empathy, and the legal definition of a "reasonable person" shift fundamentally depending on the color of the defendant's skin.Listen to explore who gets the benefit of the doubt, and who is legally allowed to be afraid in America.

In this unhinged and public episode, Mel and a delightfully tipsy Rebecca break down the absolute circus of Michael Proctor’s 5-minute Zoom hearing—complete with rogue F-bombs, hot mic disasters, and peak boomer tech fails.Then, it's time for the "Cross Roast," where Mel forces Rebecca to watch Proctor get absolutely skewered on the stand by Alan Jackson. Come for the ruthless takedown of terrible police work and bad nicknames, but stay for the chaotic tangents about perfectly cubed pickles on Italian grinders, 90s lesbian awakenings, and the existential dread of trying to find an emergency vet for a puking chinchilla. Grab a frozé and enjoy the ride!Join the Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@SomethingsOffPod/join

Mel and Rebecca sit down to unpack the absolute bombshell of a civil lawsuit recently filed by Karen Read against the Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton/CPD.We’re digging deep into the highly offensive text messages and audio memos exchanged between lead investigator Michael Proctor and Canton Police Sergeant Sean Good.A quick but important heads-up (Trigger Warning): We will be reading directly from the newly released court filings. The language used by these officers is deeply bigoted, misogynistic, and racist, and we are reacting to it in real-time. Please take care of yourself while listening, and feel free to step away if you need to.Together, we’ll talk through how this entrenched, toxic culture of bias allegedly paved the way for framing Karen Read. We also break down the public fallout—including our honest thoughts on the reaction to Karen's recent Today Show interview—and discuss why we so desperately need real, lasting accountability within our law enforcement system.Grab a coffee, settle in, and let's get into it.

More to come on this, obviously. Rebecca and I will do a stream at 9a est on Saturday morning, if you'd like to join us.In this episode we unpack an absolutely wild week of developments in the Canton and Karen Read saga: Sean Goode's resignation and the widening Canton PD fallout The Bombshell Filing: the Proctor & Goode texts Status hearing breakdown: O’Keefe vs. everyone (Colin!) Emily See’s convo with Adam Deitch Here's the new filing from Karen Read that exposes Michael Proctor and Sean Googe's text messages. READ WITH CAUTION: https://mega.nz/file/tE9kRK7B#x5z6q0jhSdjq_FatY9zJT8MinPmhVxAh3vH1R1UYiqM

Mel + Rebecca get into all the chaos surrounding the sudden and shocking cancellation of Aidan Kearney (aka Turtleboy) on Tim Pool’s TimCast. Just when Aidan was set to take the Canton corruption and the Karen Read case to a massive national audience, the plug was pulled. The reason? Attorneys representing the "house defendants" sent threatening legal letters to Tim Pool's team—and it actually worked.  We are breaking down the timeline of the cancellation, the aggressive legal maneuverings by the McAlberts' camp, and what it really says about the panic setting in among the house occupants. Is this a blatant attempt to chill free speech? Why did a platform as big as TimCast cave to the pressure, especially when his brand is built on defending the 1st amendment? Is he actually helping platform Turtleboy? Did this legal maneuver blow up in the Hos Defendants' faces?  And what does this mean for the future of independent journalists covering this trial?

Bob and Ali join Mel + Rebecca to discuss Richard Allen and all things true crime/the legal system.

On this edition of the podcast, Rebecca and Mel talk about some of the weird stuff in the latest doc dump.

Join Mel + Rebecca as they continue breaking down the mega filing from Karen Read that flips the old theories on their head. Does the conspiracy go deeper than we thought? What did Brian Tully do? If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us or grab something off the wishlists: venmo: @melbarrettwrites cashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTips paypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11Mel's wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...Rebecca's wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers PLUS you'll get access to weekly Member's Only videos, as well as AMAs and AD FREE videos (at the AYFKM tier) Click the join button to select your favorite level. Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Mel + Rebecca discuss the massive filing from Karen Read in the O'Keefe v Karen Read civil suit. This filing shows us a new strategy focused on Brian Tully  being more than a passive player in the coverup. David Yanetti dropped some news re: Colin Albert on the Turtleboy fundraiser we can't wait to discuss!Plus we'll discuss the ARCCA Report that came to us from the latest FOIA Dump on the FOIA Around and Find Out site. If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us or grab something off the wishlists:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 Mel's wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26HSLOLDUQP0?ref_=wl_shareRebecca's wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/10V927MJX225T?ref_=wl_shareYou can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers PLUS you'll get access to weekly Member's Only videos, as well as AMAs and AD FREE videos (at the AYFKM tier) Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Mel makes her triumphant return to hear about what she missed. Plus, we talk about the Kouri Richins sentencing hearing, the cancelation of Aidan Kearney's big motion to dismiss hearing, and some events that have unfolded on the unholy website called X.

Emily See joins Rebecca to talk about her FOIA journey and the (very dumb) discourse around crowdfunding for public records.

Rebecca is joined by Bethany Na, a long-time listener and good friend to the podcast who just happens to know a whole lot about civil litigation.

Rebecca is joined by Aussie podcaster Sarah Carradine to talk about the latest disclosure drops in the Karen Read case as well as some true crime news from her neck of the woods.

Mel's on vacation, so Rebecca is joined by the pod's favorite person to objectify...Kevin Flynn!

There's a defamation lawsuit that claims Aidan Kearney learned all about the Karen Read case from Karen Read. That's not true, and we explain how we know that. PLUS - Mel talks about what she finds interesting in Michael Easter's report. AND we watch some vintage videos again just for fun! 0:00 Intro, Housekeeping, + Welcome New Viewers! (plus some notes on how YouTubers are not grifters) 25:54 The filing that started it all + Discussion (the thing that sparked TurtleBoy’s interest) 1:00:21 Why did they muck up the process so much? 1:09:07 The importance of Michael Easter’s Report 1:28:57 Rebecca Needs Water + A Special Video 1:33:44 Back to Michael Easter 1:58:44 Phone calls with Dever + Closing Thoughts

Mel + Rebecca breakdown every footnote in the defamation suit brought by Jen McCabe, Brian Albert, Brian Higgins, and Colin Albert against Karen Read and Aidan Kearney.We're starting with Footnotes 2,3, and 6.

Rebecca may have solved the case of John O'Keefe's murder btw. You might want to tune in. (Rebecca doesn't agree with this characterization, btw.)If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers PLUS you'll get access to weekly Member's Only videos, as well as AMAs and AD FREE videos (at the AYFKM tier) Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

A whole new load of FOIA'd docs just dumped regarding reports/correspondence at the NCDAO's office. Mel + Rebecca  pick apart some of the most incendiary among them. If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers PLUS you'll get access to weekly Member's Only videos, as well as AMAs and AD FREE videos (at the AYFKM tier) Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Join Mel + Rebecca on our regular stream to discuss the new filing in the Sandra Birchmore case...and why Michael Morrissey hasn't charged Matthew Farwell in Sandra's můrder.Plus, there was a hearing featuring Karen Read's team today!If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Mel and Rebecca break down the newest lawsuit in the Karen Read saga. This time Brian Albert, Jen McCabe, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins sue Turtleboy and Karen Read for a "coordinated" campaign of defamation. But can they prove their claims?If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Join Mel + Rebecca with special guest, Broken Baker, to break down wtf actually happened in that courtroom.If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Join Mel and Rebecca as they break down ALL the news in Karen Read adjacent world PLUS Rebecca breaks down a famous New Hampshire case, where Logan Clegg unalived the Reids. A lot of stuff happened this week in the civil cases, including Michael Proctor's formal denial of allegations, the release of the Fanning IA interview about the boys in blue showing up at Proctor's house directly after he testified in front of the Federal Grand Jury, laborious status hearings, AND Brian Tully officially "retires."Let's get into it!If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

Join Mel + Rebecca for a very special stream with Aidan Kearney. No holds barred here. Come with your questions and an open mind.If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

*NOTE: The live with Aidan Kearney is being rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts. We're looking at Thursday and will update as soon as we have a solid date and timeFor today's show: join Mel and Rebecca for a reviewthe new filing in the Kelsey Fitzsimmons Family + Probate casePLUS Leticia Stauch conviction overturned!If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us:venmo: @melbarrettwritescashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTipspaypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11 You can now join the YouTube channel! When you become a member Rebecca will send you free stickers! Click the join button to select your favorite level.Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!

The paper trail is finally catching up. This week on The In Between, Mel Barrett dives into the explosive 2026 unsealed Department of Justice files regarding Jeffrey Epstein—and the massive political cover-up that just cost the Attorney General her job.Mel breaks down the chilling new evidence against the MCC guards on duty the night Epstein died, including a suspicious $5,000 cash deposit and the new survivor-led civil suit that has forced them back under oath. Then, we tackle the "PROTECT SOURCE" files—the horrifying 1983 FBI tip regarding the 47th President that the DOJ tried to bury. Finally, we head to New Mexico, where a newly formed Truth Commission armed with subpoena power is taking aim at the federal government's shocking failure to search the 7,600-acre Zorro Ranch.The enablers thought his death meant their secrets were safe. They were wrong.Timestamps: [0:00] Intro: The Inkling of a Fire [2:30] Part 1: The Cell, The Guards, and The $5,000 Deposit [12:15] The Civil Suit: Tova Noel is Dragged Back Under Oath [16:40] Part 2: The Motive & The DOJ Transparency Meltdown [22:05] The "Protect Source": The 1983 Hilton Head Tip & The Public Record [33:20] Part 3: Zorro Ranch and the 2019 Federal Stand-Down [39:45] New Mexico Fights Back: Boots on the Ground & The Truth Commission [43:30] Outro & Where to find this week's live streams Mentioned in this Episode: Read Julie K. Brown's latest reporting on the DOJ cover-up: [Link to Substack] The Post and Courier's investigation into the Hilton Head FBI tip: [Link to Article] If you want to watch the Impact x Nightline episode that Mel is featured in about Pamela Smart's new legal fight, watch it here: https://www.hulu.com/series/98fb0a9b-...If you like us, please tip us: venmo: @melbarrettwrites cashapp: cash.app/$SomethingsOffTips paypal: paypal.me/MelBarrett11Follow @realmelbarrett on all socials / TT: @jackofalltradesdc Listen to the In Between Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow ‪@reblavoie‬ on all socials Listen to Crime Writer's On wherever you get your podcasts!