Criminal Justice Spotlight

Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
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  • Government

The Criminal Justice Spotlight highlights important topics and initiatives in the Criminal Justice System.

Episodes

  1. Jul 27

    Episode 11- Featuring Retired Missing Persons Detective, Stuart Somershoe

    Today’s guest is someone who has devoted his career to finding those who could no longer find their way home and bringing hope to families who refused to give up. Stuart Somershoe is a retired Arizona law enforcement detective whose work in missing persons investigations has made him one of the state's most respected voices on long-term missing and unidentified person cases. Throughout his distinguished career, Stuart investigated some of Arizona’s most complex and emotionally challenging disappearances, combining relentless investigative work with compassion for the families left searching for answers. His expertise extends beyond traditional investigations, embracing advances in forensic science, DNA technology, and collaborative efforts that have transformed the way missing persons cases are solved. Today, we’ll discuss the unique challenges of missing persons investigations, the cases that have stayed with him throughout his career, and how perseverance, evolving technology, and unwavering dedication continue to reunite families and provide long-awaited answers. We’ll also explore why these cases are so much more than files on a shelf—they represent real people, real families, and the enduring belief that every missing person deserves to be found.

  2. Apr 30

    Episode 10- U of A Chief of Police, Chris Olson Session 2

    Criminal Justice Spotlight

  3. Feb 12

    Episode 9 - High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, Executive Director, Dawn Mertz

    Join Dawn Mertz, Executive Director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), as she leads powerful conversations at the intersection of public safety, prevention, and collaboration. With decades of experience working alongside federal, state, local, and tribal partners, Dawn brings a frontline perspective to the evolving challenges of drug trafficking, substance misuse, and community safety. This podcast explores the strategies, partnerships, and innovations that are driving measurable impact across jurisdictions — from intelligence-sharing and enforcement coordination to prevention and treatment initiatives. Through candid discussions with law enforcement leaders, policymakers, public health professionals, and community stakeholders, Dawn highlights what is working, where we must improve, and how cross-sector collaboration strengthens our collective response. This is more than a conversation about enforcement — it’s a platform for advancing smarter strategies, supporting communities, and building safer futures.

  4. Jan 13

    Episode 8 - Featuring Cold Case Detective and "Zombie Killer" Author, Troy Hillman

    Today’s guest is someone who has spent his career giving a voice to the forgotten and answers to the unanswered. Troy Hillman is a veteran cold case detective and accomplished author whose work has helped bring clarity, accountability, and—most importantly—justice to cases long left in the shadows. With decades of investigative experience, Troy has dedicated his career to unraveling complex homicide cases, reexamining overlooked evidence, and proving that time does not erase truth. As an author, he takes readers behind the scenes of real investigations, including his gripping book on the infamous “Zombie Killer” case, a disturbing and highly publicized homicide that captured national attention. Through his writing, Troy explores not just the crime itself, but the investigative process, the human toll, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Today, we’ll talk about the cases that never left him, what it’s like to revisit the darkest moments years later, and why cold cases—and the stories behind them—still matter deeply to families, law enforcement, and the communities waiting for answers.

  5. 11/19/2025

    Episode 7 - Dr. Thaddeus Johnson - Senior Fellow for the National Council on Criminal Justice

    Dr. Thaddeus L. Johnson is a nationally recognized criminologist, former law enforcement leader, and expert on policing policy, violence reduction, and criminal justice reform. A Senior Fellow at the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on evidence-based public safety strategies, trends in crime and enforcement, and the impacts of policing practices on communities. Before entering academia and policy research, Dr. Johnson served as a police officer and major felony detective for nearly a decade, bringing frontline experience to his scholarship and national advisory work. His research has been widely featured in major media outlets and used by policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to inform data-driven approaches to crime reduction and community trust-building. Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and serves as an Assistant Professor at Georgia State University, where he teaches courses on policing, criminal justice systems, and quantitative research methods. He continues to work closely with national partners to advance innovative, equitable, and effective criminal justice solutions.

  6. 08/14/2025

    Criminal Justice Spotlight featuring ACJC's New Executive Director, Tony Vidale

    In this episode of the Criminal Justice Spotlight podcast, media host, Pete Cummings interviews ACJC's New Executive Director, Tony Vidale.

  7. 07/29/2024

    Criminal Justice Spotlight with Special Guest John Bauters

    In this episode of the Criminal Justice Spotlight podcast, hosts, Tony Vidale, Deputy Director and media host Pete Cummings at the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission interview John Bauters, Arizona State Director for the Alliance for Safety and Justice.

  8. 04/21/2023

    Victim Compensation Program in Arizona - Special Guest Shawna Michie

    In this episode of the Criminal Justice Spotlight podcast, Tony Vidale, Deputy Director at the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, and Heather Bohnet, the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission’s Crime Victim Services Program Manager, are joined by Shawna Michie, Victim Compensation Bureau Chief for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, to discuss the Victim Compensation Program in Arizona. The Victim Compensation Program is designed to provide financial assistance to victims of crime who are in need. Heather and Shawna explain how the program works, the types of expenses that can be covered, and the process of applying for compensation. They also talk about the importance of the program in providing justice for victims, especially those who may not have the resources to cover expenses related to their victimization. We also discuss Crime Victim Rights Week, a special week of recognition for victims of crime and those who work in victim compensation programs around the state. They highlight the critical work that victim compensation programs do and the impact that they have on the lives of victims and their families. Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of providing support and resources for victims of crime and the role that victim compensation programs play in achieving that goal. They encourage listeners to get involved in their local victim compensation programs and to support victims in their communities.

    Victim Compensation Program in Arizona - Special Guest Shawna Michie

  9. 03/03/2023

    Capital Punishment in Arizona - Special Guest Rick Unklesbay

    Episode Spotlight: Rick Unklesbay — Inside Arizona’s Death Penalty and the Pursuit of Justice In this compelling episode of the Working for Justice Podcast, hosts Molly Edwards and Tony Vidale sit down with Rick Unklesbay, a longtime Pima County prosecutor, University of Arizona law professor, and author of Arbitrary Death: A Prosecutor’s Perspective on the Death Penalty in America. Drawing on nearly 40 years in Arizona’s criminal justice system, Unklesbay shares a rare insider’s view of capital punishment, reflecting on Supreme Court cases, political influences, and the moral and constitutional challenges surrounding the death penalty. He discusses his decades of courtroom experience—over 100 murder trials resulting in 16 death sentences—and what ultimately led him to question whether the system can ever apply death fairly or without bias. Listeners will hear thoughtful reflections on justice, accountability, and reform in Arizona’s legal landscape, as well as how Unklesbay’s global upbringing and time at the University of Arizona Law School shaped his passion for fair prosecution and criminal justice integrity. Keywords: Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Rick Unklesbay, Arizona death penalty, capital punishment, Pima County Attorney’s Office, criminal justice reform, Tony Vidale, Molly Edwards, Working for Justice Podcast, Arizona Law, Arbitrary Death, public safety, Supreme Court cases.

    Capital Punishment in Arizona - Special Guest Rick Unklesbay

  10. 03/03/2023

    Show Introduction

    Each episode of Criminal Justice Spotlight will feature interviews with experts in the field, as well as individuals who have been impacted by the justice system. We will explore the successes and challenges of various criminal justice initiatives, and learn about the strategies that are working to create positive change.

    Show Introduction
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Criminal Justice Spotlight highlights important topics and initiatives in the Criminal Justice System.

Information

  • Creator
    Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
  • Show Website
    Criminal Justice Spotlight