MURDER IN THE BLACK

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Murder In The Black

Steph and M.D.

M.D. and STEPH are sisters who share a passion for true crime. ​They are committed to highlighting stories within the black community that often do not receive the attention they deserve. This has led them to create a platform where these stories can be shared on a weekly basis through their podcast. Drawing on her legal expertise, M.D. provides the legal context of each case, while Steph delves into the details concerning the victims and occasionally the perpetrators. By tuning in weekly, listeners can expect to learn about lesser-known crime cases and gain a deeper understanding of the cases

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    When the Voice Sounds Real: A.I., Fear, and the Cost of Believing Too Fast

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the devastating loss of LoLetha Hall — a woman simply doing her job who became entangled in a deadly situation fueled by fear, misinformation, and an AI-driven scam. As technology evolves, so do the dangers surrounding it. Steph and Maia unpack how impersonation scams are changing the landscape of crime, the legal complexities of self-defense in Ohio, and the difficult questions surrounding “reasonable fear,” implicit bias, and accountability. This conversation goes beyond one case. It asks how we protect our communities, our elders, and ourselves in a world where voices can be fabricated — and fear can be engineered. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔎 Key Topics Covered The rise of AI-powered scam calls and impersonation tactics How vulnerable populations — especially seniors — are targeted The timeline leading to the fatal encounter between LoLetha Hall and William Brock Ohio self-defense law and the question of proportional force The difference between genuine fear and legally “reasonable” fear How implicit bias can shape perceptions of danger Public awareness, digital literacy, and family safety planning Practical strategies for preventing scam-related harm AI Impersonation Scam Resources Time Stamps 00:00 — Why this case highlights the dangers of AI scams 00:29 — Who LoLetha Hall and William Brock were 01:48 — Inside the scam: impersonation and escalation 02:38 — The confrontation and fatal shooting 03:51 — Dashcam footage and police response 04:21 — Fear, perception, and Brock’s mindset 08:38 — AI’s growing role in modern scams 09:07 — Elder vulnerability and education gaps 11:37 — Breaking down Ohio self-defense law 16:24 — Fear, bias, and legal interpretation 19:07 — The impact on LoLetha’s family 20:50 — Community responsibility and awareness 23:18 — Practical scam-prevention tools 25:03 — Final reflections on bias, fear, and accountability Understanding Deepfake Technology Scam Awareness Tips (AARP) Ohio Self-Defense Law Overview Social Media & Digital Safety Tips Resources & Education Follow + Support Murder in the Black 📌 Substack: Murder in the Black (Subscriber exclusives + episode conversations)👉 ⁠⁠https://murderintheblack.substack.com/⁠⁠ 🎥 YouTube: Murder in the Black👉⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack⁠⁠ 🎵 TikTok: Murder in the Black / Story Time with Steph👉 ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@murderintheblack⁠⁠ 📘 Facebook: Murder in the Black👉 ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/p/Murder-In-The-Black-Podcast-100088434791438/

    27 min
  2. When Home Is Not Safe: The Marlboro Murders & What’s Up With Shorty?

    8 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    When Home Is Not Safe: The Marlboro Murders & What’s Up With Shorty?

    In this episode, we sit with the devastating truths behind What’s Up With Shorty by Rashona Landfair—unpacking how proximity to fame and the music industry created cover for grooming, manipulation, and years of silence. Rashona’s story forces us to confront how abuse is often minimized, ignored, or excused when power is involved—especially for Black women and girls. Alongside this reflection, Steph examines the Marlboro, Maryland murders, tracing the ripple effects of violence and the deep sense of loss left behind when justice is partial and some victims never see a courtroom. Together, these stories ask difficult questions about safety, accountability, and what it means to survive when systems fail. If this piece brought up something difficult for you, please know you don’t have to carry it alone. Help is available, and you deserve support—no matter how long ago the abuse happened. Support Resources United States RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) 📞 800-656-HOPE (4673) 💬 rainn.org Available 24/7, confidential National Child Abuse Hotline 📞 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) 💬 childhelphotline.org StrongHearts Native Helpline 📞 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483) 💬 strongheartshelpline.org Outside the U.S. Visit findahelpline.com to find support in your country. Reaching out is not weakness. It’s care.

    40 min

  3. 5 FEB

    The People’s Barber | Jermaine Ross

    When Jermaine Ross stopped answering his phone and missed his barber appointments, concern quickly turned into something far more disturbing. On October 3, 2018, Jermaine was found dead inside his home on Elm Street in Cahokia, Illinois. At first, investigators believed his death may have been natural. But forensic findings, an autopsy, and unsettling details inside the home revealed the truth—Jermaine Ross had been murdered. In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the homicide investigation from the inside out: the timeline shaped by decomposition evidence, rumors surrounding a recent insurance payout, shifting witness statements, and the chilling attempt to alter the crime scene after Jermaine’s death. As investigators worked to separate fact from fear in a close-knit community, the case exposed how desperation, access, and money can turn trust into a fatal vulnerability. This is the story of a man known as “the people’s barber”—and how the people closest to him became central to solving his murder. Follow + Support Murder in the Black 📌 Substack: Murder in the Black (Subscriber exclusives + episode conversations)👉 ⁠https://murderintheblack.substack.com/⁠ 🎥 YouTube: Murder in the Black👉⁠https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack⁠ 🎵 TikTok: Murder in the Black / Story Time with Steph👉 ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@murderintheblack⁠ 📘 Facebook: Murder in the Black👉 ⁠https://www.facebook.com/p/Murder-In-The-Black-Podcast-100088434791438/

    29 min
  4. The Mystery of Robert Johnson: Blues, Legend, and Legacy

    1 FEB • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Mystery of Robert Johnson: Blues, Legend, and Legacy

    Explore the deep roots of the blues, the cultural history of the Mississippi Delta, and the enduring legends surrounding blues legend Robert Johnson. This episode dives into the myths, mysteries, and significance of one of America's most influential musicians and how his story sits at the intersection of folklore, race, and power. Key Topics The cultural and historical significance of the Mississippi Delta in shaping the blues The origins of the blues as a form of black survival and expression Robert Johnson’s early life, hardships, and musical journey The legend of Robert Johnson's deal with the devil at the crossroads The mysterious circumstances surrounding his death in 1938 The legacy of Robert Johnson in American music and myth making The legal battle over his estate and the story of Claude Johnson claiming to be his son The enduring power of myth, rumor, and storytelling in black history and culture Timestamps 00:22 - Introduction: Rethinking true crime with a cultural mystery 0:49 - The backdrop of the Mississippi Delta — culture, history, and darkness 1:15 - Robert Johnson's story and the myth of the crossroads 2:10 - The Delta as a character and its impact on Black history 3:09 - Origins of the blues in black American survival and suffering 4:08 - The Great Depression, the Great Migration, and music as a means to survive 5:02 - Robert Johnson’s early life, family struggles, and musical beginnings 6:21 - His departure from the Delta and a possible spiritual journey 7:32 - The legend: selling his soul to the devil at the crossroads 8:29 - The power of myth: talent vs. supernatural stories 9:24 - Robert’s rise, performances, and recordings 10:23 - The 1938 incident, rumors, and possible poisoning 11:46 - The circumstances of his death and unresolved mysteries 13:05 - Posthumous fame, rediscovery, and his influence in music 14:02 - Estate battles and Claude Johnson’s claim to Robert’s legacy 15:05 - Why Robert Johnson’s legend endures and its significance in black history 16:02 - The cultural importance of mystery in preserving Black Southern traditions 16:28 - Audience engagement: What do you believe about Robert Johnson's death? 17:27 - Closing remarks and gratitude for listening Resources & Links Robert Johnson - Wikipedia The Crossroads: The Life and Music of Robert Johnson Grambling State University - Blues Archive Sinners (film) The Legend of Robert Johnson - Smithsonian Folkways Connect with [Steph / Murder in the Black]: Follow + Support Murder in the Black 📌 Substack: Murder in the Black (Subscriber exclusives + episode conversations) 👉 ⁠https://murderintheblack.substack.com/⁠ 🎥 YouTube: Murder in the Black 👉⁠https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack⁠ 🎵 TikTok: Murder in the Black / Story Time with Steph 👉 ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@murderintheblack⁠ 📘 Facebook: Murder in the Black 👉 ⁠https://www.facebook.com/p/Murder-In-The-Black-Podcast-100088434791438/

    18 min

  5. 29 JAN

    When Truth Is Treated Like a Threat: The Murder of Kim Groves

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we unpack the heartbreaking story of Kim Groves—a Black woman, community advocate, and mother whose decision to report police misconduct in 1994 set off a chain of events that would change everything. What began as one woman speaking up against abuse of power quickly revealed something much bigger: a deeply corrupted system inside the New Orleans Police Department, and a city already battling violence, fear, and broken trust. Kim’s story forces us to confront the cost of courage, the danger Black communities face when they challenge authority, and the uncomfortable truth that corruption doesn’t always look like a stranger—it can wear a badge. The violent reality of New Orleans in the 1990s and the systemic failures that shaped it Corruption inside the NOPD, including the actions of Officer Len Davis Kim Groves’ courage—and what happens when a Black woman refuses to stay silent The long history of mistrust between Black communities and law enforcement in America How race, power, and internal systems of oppression complicate “protection” and “justice” The investigation, cooperation deals, and what accountability looks like in a corrupt system Why police reform is still an urgent conversation—and why stories like Kim’s must be remembered Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction + case overview00:35 — New Orleans in the 1990s: context + tension01:02 — Crime statistics + community impact02:24 — Len Davis + Kim Groves background03:42 — Misconduct culture inside the NOPD05:59 — Operation Shattered Shield begins08:11 — Kim files a misconduct complaint09:33 — The danger of speaking out11:05 — The legacy of racial oppression + policing13:09 — Kim Groves’ murder + surveillance footage14:57 — Trial tactics: discrediting the victim16:37 — Witness testimony + plea deals20:03 — Victim-blaming + “perfect victim” expectations21:41 — Sentencing + why plea agreements matter24:50 — Len Davis’ death + the lasting damage25:45 — Corruption and community trauma27:08 — Remembering Kim’s humanity28:20 — Corruption involving Black officers30:05 — Accountability: personal + systemic31:26 — Closing reflection: race, policing, reform Resources & Links FBI: Operation Shattered Shield Kim Groves case coverage + justice reporting Follow + Support Murder in the Black 📌 Substack: Murder in the Black (Subscriber exclusives + episode conversations)👉 https://murderintheblack.substack.com/ 🎥 YouTube: Murder in the Black👉https://www.youtube.com/@www.youtube.com/@murderintheblack 🎵 TikTok: Murder in the Black / Story Time with Steph👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@murderintheblack 📘 Facebook: Murder in the Black👉 https://www.facebook.com/p/Murder-In-The-Black-Podcast-100088434791438/

    34 min
  6. William Choyce: Violence at Home, Murder on the Streets

    25 JAN • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    William Choyce: Violence at Home, Murder on the Streets

    In this gripping episode of Murder in the Black, host Steph unpacks the chilling story of William Jennings Choyce—a man who maintained the appearance of a devoted family man while living a hidden life marked by violence. This case exposes the devastating realities of domestic abuse, the ripple effects it creates within families, and the long, difficult road to holding a serial offender accountable. As the story unfolds, listeners are encouraged to trust their instincts, recognize early warning signs of abuse, and reflect on the larger societal question: whose lives are valued when justice is delayed—or denied? Keywords William Jennings Choyce, domestic abuse, true crime, serial offender, family dynamics, justice, victims, warning signs, instincts, cold cases Key Takeaways Trust your instincts—your body often recognizes danger before your mind can explain it. Abuse doesn’t always begin with violence; it can start with control, intimidation, and fear. Choyce lived a double life, hiding disturbing behavior behind a mask of normalcy. The justice system can move slowly, but persistence and evolving technology can bring answers. Survivors of abuse often live in emotional conflict—love, fear, guilt, anger, and survival can coexist. Some victims are treated as “less important,” shaping how urgently cases are pursued. Family systems can be permanently altered by one person’s violence and deception. Denial can become a form of protection—but it can also keep people trapped. Protecting vulnerable people requires awareness, community, and intervention. Cold cases can be solved—even years later—through breakthroughs in investigation and forensic advancements.

    48 min

  7. 22 JAN

    Damilola Taylor: Justice Beyond the Verdict

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, hosts Steph and Maia examine the heartbreaking case of Damilola Taylor, a 10-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short in London. What initially appeared to be an isolated act of violence revealed deep systemic failures within public housing, community safety, and institutional accountability. Steph and Maia explore the investigation into Damilola’s death, the role of media narratives in shaping public perception, and how Black youth are often criminalized rather than protected. The episode also unpacks key differences between the UK and US legal systems—particularly the UK’s emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment when it comes to minors. Finally, the hosts highlight how Damilola’s family transformed unimaginable grief into purpose through the Damilola Taylor Trust, an organization dedicated to education, community empowerment, and anti-knife crime initiatives. This episode asks a critical question: What does justice truly look like—and how do we prevent the next tragedy? Key Takeaways Damilola Taylor’s case exposes long-standing systemic failures in public housing and youth safety Media coverage often shifts blame onto Black youth instead of centering victims The UK legal system emphasizes rehabilitation rather than retribution for minors Legal inducements can complicate truth-seeking and justice The Taylor family chose advocacy over bitterness Community-driven efforts can lead to meaningful change Justice should be measured by prevention, not punishment alone Sound Bites “Damilola was just 10 years old.” “A system that failed him at every turn.” “The media’s narrative shifted to criminalizing Black youth.” “Rehabilitation, not retribution, is the priority.” “Justice is measured by preventing the next child from dying.” “Turning pain into purpose through advocacy. Episode Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to Damilola Taylor’s Story 05:12 — Systemic Failures & Public Housing 17:40 — Investigation & Media Portrayal 32:18 — Legal Proceedings & Cultural Differences 46:05 — The Damilola Taylor Trust & Lasting Advocacy

    34 min
  8. A Bronx Tale : The Innocent Six

    18 JAN • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    A Bronx Tale : The Innocent Six

    This episode of Murder in the Black examines the wrongful conviction of Eric Glisson and others for two murders that occurred in the Bronx in 1995. Through the lens of this case, the episode explores systemic failures within the criminal justice system, the lasting impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and families, and the long fight for truth that led to exoneration nearly 20 years later. The story also revisits the unresolved murder of Denise Raymond, raising difficult questions about investigative misconduct, accountability, and what justice looks like when the wrong people are punished and the right answers never come. KeywordsTakeaways wrongful conviction, Eric Glisson, Bronx Six, Bronx murders, justice system, Denise Raymond, investigative misconduct, exoneration, systemic failure, true crime, Murder in the Black True crime isn’t only about who committed a crime—it’s also about who didn’t. Stories like this don’t belong to the past; they continue to shape lives long after verdicts are handed down. Once a narrative hardens into a verdict, it can become incredibly difficult to undo. Eric Glisson was convicted of a crime he had no involvement in. Miriam Taveras’s eyewitness account was later shown to be physically impossible. Phone records became powerful, objective evidence pointing toward innocence. John O’Malley filed a sworn affidavit stating that Eric Glisson was innocent. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office reopened the case after new evidence emerged. Eric Glisson and others were eventually exonerated after nearly two decades in prison. Wrongful convictions are not rare anomalies—they are a systemic failure that demands continued attention.

    28 min
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About

M.D. and STEPH are sisters who share a passion for true crime. ​They are committed to highlighting stories within the black community that often do not receive the attention they deserve. This has led them to create a platform where these stories can be shared on a weekly basis through their podcast. Drawing on her legal expertise, M.D. provides the legal context of each case, while Steph delves into the details concerning the victims and occasionally the perpetrators. By tuning in weekly, listeners can expect to learn about lesser-known crime cases and gain a deeper understanding of the cases

Information

  • Creator
    Steph and M.D.
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    272
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Steph and M.D.
  • Show Website
    Murder In The Black
  • Provider
    Stephenie Broden-Weaver

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