The UPIKE Justice Journal

In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal, we dive into the tragic and legally complex case of Ajike "AJ" Owens, a mother of four who was shot and killed through a locked door in Ocala, Florida. We break down the timeline of the neighbor dispute that led to this moment, the controversial "Stand Your Ground" defense, and the psychological impact on the children who witnessed the event. We’re honoring the memory of Ajike “AJ” Owens and looking at the psychological and legal factors that led to a 25-year sentence. It’s a heavy one, but an important conversation on justice and accountability. Listen now on your favorite platform! Links in the Bio! #TrueCrime #VictimAdvocacy #UPIKE #JusticeJournal #CriminalJustice #Podcast

Dust off your overalls and grab a funnel cake, it’s Hillbilly Days in Pikeville! 🎡 But while the rest of the county is enjoying the carnival rides and parade floats, Meg and Krystina are diving into the darker side of "Mountain Hospitality."In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal, the girls debate whether Appalachia's most terrifying urban legends are actually just misunderstood introverts in need of a snack. Meg shares her "supermodel" encounter with a Not-Deer and pitches a podcast guest spot for the Mothman, while Krystina desperately tries to explain why you should never, ever offer a sourdough starter to a creature that screams like a banshee.

In this episode, we dive into the sensational 1992 case that blurred the lines between a suburban drama and a tabloid nightmare. When 17-year-old Amy Fisher stepped onto the porch of Mary Jo Buttafuoco and pulled the trigger, she wasn't just committing a violent act. She was the catalyst for a media firestorm that defined an era.We’ll dissect the grooming and manipulation at the heart of her relationship with Joey Buttafuoco, the "Long Island Lolita" narrative constructed by the press, and the lasting impact this case had on how we view young women in the criminal justice system.

He was a community leader, a Junior Chamber of Commerce executive, and a beloved local clown who brought joy to neighborhood children. But beneath the surface of John Wayne Gacy’s suburban life lay a horrific reality that would eventually claim 33 young lives. In this episode of The UPIKE Justice Journal, we pull back the curtain on one of America’s most notorious serial killers. We move beyond the headlines to examine the chilling intersection of Gacy’s double life, the systemic failures that allowed him to hide in plain sight, and the tragic circumstances that finally led to his arrest.

In August 2018, the quiet town of Frederick, Colorado, became the epicenter of a case that shocked the world. When Shanann Watts and her two young daughters, Bella and Celeste, vanished without a trace, the frantic search for a missing family quickly spiraled into a harrowing investigation of betrayal and "family annihilation."In this episode of the UPIKE Justice Journal, we analyze the 2018 murders of Shanann, Bella, Celeste, and Niko Watts. We deconstruct the full timeline of the Watts case from the initial 911 call placed by a concerned friend to the digital breadcrumbs that eventually dismantled Chris Watts's web of lies. We dive deep into the forensic evidence, the failed polygraph, and the chilling final confessions that revealed the truth of what happened at the CERVI-319 oil site.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or child abuse, confidential support is available 24/7. For immediate assistance with domestic instability, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233), texting "START" to 88788, or visiting TheHotline.org. To report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Kentucky, contact the KY Child Protection Hotline at 877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331) or reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 mental health support for any crisis; simply text HOME to 741741. In cases of immediate physical danger, always contact your local emergency services or dial 911.

Welcome to the "Murder Castle." For this special episode of The UPIKE Justice Journal, we’re turning back the clock to 1893. While Chicago was celebrating the World’s Fair, H.H. Holmes was busy building a labyrinth of trapdoors, secret rooms, and Victorian-era horrors.Join us as we trade the modern precinct for the cobblestone streets of the Gilded Age to dissect the psychology and forensic gaps behind America’s first serial killer. From the blueprint of his "hotel" to the victims whose stories deserve to be told. We're stepping inside the house of glass and iron.Just a fair warning: keep a close eye on the exit.

Grab a seat on the porch and keep the lantern lit. Today, the UPIKE Justice Journal is taking a brief detour from our usual case files.Because it’s Spring Break, we’re taking a breather from the courtroom to explore the shadows of the peaks. In this special short surprise, we’re diving into the eerie, ancient world of Appalachian Folklore.From things that go bump in the night to the "unspoken rules" of the mountains, this week is all about the legends that have been passed down through generations. Whether you believe in them or not, these stories are woven into the very fabric of mountain life.

"Lizzie Borden took an axe..." or did she? In this episode, we step inside the town of Fall River to deconstruct one of the most infamous double murders in American history. While the schoolyard rhyme claims "forty whacks," the real story is found in the sweltering August heat of 1892, two murders, and a trial that transfixed a nation.We’re breaking down the forensic evidence (or lack thereof), the contradictory testimonies, and the Victorian social codes that may have let a killer walk free.

In the quiet desert town of Elephant Butte, New Mexico, a nightmare was hidden in plain sight. This week, we dive into the chilling case of David Parker Ray, a man who spent decades and over $100,000 perfecting a soundproofed semi-trailer he called his "Toy Box."To the world, Ray was a park ranger and a mechanic. Behind closed doors, he was a calculated predator who utilized surgical tools, elaborate pulleys, and a homemade audio tapes to inflict unimaginable suffering. For over 40 years, Ray is suspected of abducting and torturing dozens of women, many of whom were left with induced amnesia or simply never seen again.

For nearly 20 years, Donald Harvey worked in the shadows of hospitals in Kentucky and Ohio. Known as a dedicated nurse's aide, he was actually one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.