The Associates Did It

Todd Cohen
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Entrepreneurship

The official podcast of Carpenter & Associates - where Texas law meets real talk. Listen to our team of attorneys and special guests as we pull back the curtain on the legal world with insight, humor, and unfiltered stories from the courtroom and beyond. Each episode dives into the realities of law practice, from client challenges and courtroom chaos to the lessons that shape great attorneys. Whether we're breaking down billing, sharing funny stories, or discussing what separates good lawyers from bad, The Associates Did It gives listeners an authentic look inside life at one of Texas' most dynamic litigation firms. Produced by Carpenter & Associates - Dallas, Texas.

  1. 14h ago

    The Cheshire Home Invasion: A Family’s Nightmare | Halloween Special

    The podcast episode discusses the chilling true story of the Cheshire Home Invasion, where a family was held hostage and ultimately murdered in their home. It explores themes of fear, the nature of crime, and the failures of the justice system that allowed the perpetrators to commit such heinous acts. The conversation delves into the harrowing details of the Pettit family tragedy, exploring the events leading to the brutal home invasion, the police response, and the subsequent trials of the perpetrators. It highlights the complexities of criminal responsibility, the impact of trauma on survivors, and the broader implications for community safety and law enforcement protocols. Takeaways Fear of the unknownFailures in the justice system Tragic home invasion detailsComplexities of criminal justice Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fear and Reality03:17 The Cheshire Home Invasion Begins10:12 The Police Response and Chaos12:55 The Pettit Family's Background20:30 The Intruders' Criminal History29:16 The Decision to Follow35:12 The Attack on the Pettit Family39:20 The Shift in the Intruders' Plan44:17 The Premeditation of Violence45:58 The Start of a Nightmare49:58 Desperate Pleas for Help52:40 Escalation of Violence54:10 The Police Response01:02:47 The Aftermath of the Attack01:09:52 Legal Proceedings and Trials01:27:36 The Controversial Sentencing

    The Cheshire Home Invasion: A Family’s Nightmare | Halloween Special

  2. 2d ago

    Villisca Axe Murders, Part 2: Confession, Trial and Acquittal

    In this episode of the Associates Data Podcast, Dr. Josh Carpenter delves into the chilling Villisca Axe Murders, exploring various theories and suspects, including the possibility of a traveling serial killer. The discussion highlights the complexities of criminal investigations and the psychological factors that draw individuals to such notorious cases. The conversation delves into the complexities surrounding confessions in criminal cases, particularly focusing on Reverend Kelly's trial for the Velisca axe murders. It highlights the interplay between mental health, the reliability of confessions, and the challenges faced by the prosecution in securing a conviction. In this conversation, Dr. Josh Carpenter delves into the complexities of confessions obtained during interrogations, emphasizing the potential for coercion and the importance of thorough investigations. He discusses the legal implications of unreliable confessions and the lasting impact of the Velisca axe murders on the community and the victims' families. Takeaways Legal knowledge is empoweringHistorical cases reveal patterns Confessions can be unreliableMental health impacts legal outcomes Confessions can be unreliableImportance of thorough investigations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast02:26 Exploring the Villisca Axe Murders05:07 Theories and Suspects in Villisca08:35 The Modus Operandi of a Serial Killer12:52 Investigating Andrew Sawyer14:56 Henry Lee Moore: A Possible Connection15:53 The Traveling Killer Theory17:35 Reverend Lynn George Kelly: The Main Suspect22:21 Kelly's Alibi and Suspicion30:13 Psychological Fascination with Crime34:59 Understanding Confessions and Mental Health46:46 The Trial of Reverend Kelly01:00:48 The Verdict and Its Implications01:10:10 The Nature of Coercion in Interrogations01:12:56 Legal Analysis of Confessions01:15:21 Constitutional Law and Confessions01:19:29 The Impact of Coercive Confessions01:22:34 The Importance of Evidence in Trials01:30:15 Community Impact of the Velisca Murders01:36:04 The Victims of the Velisca Axe Murders01:41:59 The Ongoing Mystery of Velisca

    Villisca Axe Murders, Part 2: Confession, Trial and Acquittal

  3. 3d ago

    Villisca Axe Murders, Part 1: The Victims and the Investigation

    This episode of the Associates Data Podcast delves into the chilling Viesca Axe Murders of 1912, exploring the events leading up to the tragedy, the victims involved, and the investigation that followed. Through a detailed narrative, the podcast examines the societal context of the time, the dynamics within the community, and the unanswered questions surrounding the case. The conversation delves into the chilling details of the Velisca axe murders, exploring the crime scene, the investigation's challenges, and the various theories surrounding the case. It highlights the complexities of forensic evidence, community dynamics, and the psychological aspects of criminal investigations. Takeaways Unsolved murder mysteryImpact of community dynamics Complexity of crime scene evidenceImpact of community on investigations Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Viesca Axe Murders06:13 Setting the Scene: 1912 America27:10 The Victims: A Family and Friends30:20 The Ordinary Day Turns Tragic33:08 Inside the Moore House: Layout and Significance39:18 The Attack: Theories and Speculations43:15 The Horrifying Crime Scene47:04 Behavioral Evidence and Speculation49:24 Coverings and Their Implications50:11 The Murder Weapon and Its Significance53:10 The Investigation Begins56:08 Discovery of the Bodies59:54 Initial Investigation Challenges01:02:32 Public Interference and Contamination01:05:00 Time of Death and Its Importance01:07:08 The Loss of Evidence01:08:48 Community Response and Fear01:10:01 The Coroner's Inquest01:12:54 Suspects and Theories Emerge01:16:03 Frank Jones: A Rival's Motive01:19:23 Wilkerson's Campaign Against Jones01:21:12 Mansfield and the Murder for Hire Theory01:22:40 Looking Ahead: Serial Killer Theory

    Villisca Axe Murders, Part 1: The Victims and the Investigation

  4. 4d ago

    The Greenbrier Ghost: The Murder Trial Behind the Legend

    In this episode of the Associates Data Podcast, Dr. Josh Carpenter explores the intriguing case of the Greenbriar Ghost, focusing on the life and mysterious death of Zona Heaster Shu. The discussion delves into the courtroom dynamics, the role of supernatural claims in legal proceedings, and the subsequent investigation that led to a murder trial. This conversation delves into the historical trial of Zona Heaster Shue, exploring the complexities of the prosecution and defense strategies, the role of spectral evidence, and the lasting impact of the case on legal history. It highlights the intricate dynamics of courtroom proceedings and the societal implications of a trial influenced by ghostly testimonies. Takeaways Exploration of supernatural in lawImpact of personal testimony on trials Complexity of historical trialsImpact of spectral evidence Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Theme03:26 Setting the Stage for the Greenbriar Ghost05:49 The Defense Attorney's Dilemma10:04 The Life and Death of Zona Heaster21:14 The Investigation and Inquest31:21 Trial Proceedings and Evidence34:27 The Prosecution's Perspective36:13 Defense Strategies and Backgrounds38:29 Trial Dynamics and Evidence Presentation42:32 The Role of Spectral Evidence47:47 Mary Heaster's Testimony and Its Impact52:12 The Verdict and Its Implications57:03 Aftermath and Public Reaction01:01:58 Legacy of the Greenbrier Ghost

    The Greenbrier Ghost: The Murder Trial Behind the Legend

  5. Oct 21

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: The Trial and Legal Responsibility Final Part 4

    In Part 4 of our Anneliese Michel series, The Associates Did It examines the trial and questions of legal responsibility surrounding her death. The conversation considers the roles of faith, medical care, and accountability. Content note: Discussion of death, mental health, and religious beliefs.

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: The Trial and Legal Responsibility Final Part 4

  6. Oct 13

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: Exorcisms, Starvation & the Failure to Intervene Part 3

    s Anneliese Michel’s condition deteriorated, those around her continued to seek a spiritual explanation. What happened when her need for medical care became overshadowed by the belief that she was possessed? Dr. Josh Carpenter examines the exorcisms, her worsening physical health, and the missed opportunities for intervention before her death. This episode explores the difficult intersection of mental health, religious belief, and responsibility, setting the stage for the investigation and trial that followed. Content note: Discussion of mental illness, starvation, and death. Takeaways Tragic intersection of faith and mental healthConsequences of neglecting medical care Mental health vs. spiritual beliefsImportance of medical intervention Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Annalise Michel's Story03:00 The Nature of Possession and Exorcism05:47 Annalise's Behavioral Changes and Deterioration09:52 The Role of Secrecy and Groupthink12:57 The Final Days of Annalise Michel16:10 The Legal Aftermath of Annalise's Death20:00 Understanding Annalise's Mental State23:59 The Medical Perspective on Annalise's Condition28:05 The Impact of Religious Beliefs on Treatment31:56 Conclusion: The Legacy of Annalise Michel44:40 The Life of Annalise Michelle48:11 Evidence and Interpretation55:00 The Downward Spiral01:01:01 The Role of Beliefs01:06:54 The Final Days01:19:07 Investigation and Accountability

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: Exorcisms, Starvation & the Failure to Intervene Part 3

  7. Oct 8

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: When Medicine, Mental Health & Faith Collide Part 2

    This episode of the Associates Did It Podcast continues the story of Anneliese Michel, examining the events that transformed the life of an intelligent, deeply religious young woman into one of the most controversial cases involving mental illness, faith, and exorcism. The episode traces Anneliese’s upbringing, her neurological and psychological struggles, recurring seizures, hallucination-like experiences, depression, and periods of severe sleep deprivation. As her condition became more complex and traditional medical treatment failed to provide clear answers, the people around her increasingly began interpreting her symptoms through a spiritual lens. What began as a medical problem gradually became something very different. Behaviors that could be viewed as neurological or psychiatric symptoms were increasingly understood by members of her family and religious community as evidence of demonic possession. The episode explores how those interpretations developed, how cultural and religious beliefs shaped the way her suffering was understood, and how prolonged sleep deprivation, physical deterioration, fear, guilt, and loss of control may have intensified her condition. At the center of the story is a difficult question: What happens when medicine, mental health, religious belief, and personal conviction all offer competing explanations for the same suffering? Rather than attempting to prove or disprove the supernatural, Dr. Josh Carpenter examines the evidence, the decisions made by the people surrounding Anneliese, and the consequences of allowing one explanation to become more powerful than every other possibility. As the story moves toward the authorization of formal exorcisms, the case becomes not simply a story about possession, but about responsibility, judgment, belief, and the devastating consequences that can occur when a vulnerable person is caught between competing systems of authority. Takeaways Understanding legal historyExploring mental health and spirituality Sleep deprivation worsens mental healthCultural perceptions shape guilt Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast01:06 Exploring Legal Principles02:34 Annalise Michel's Background03:05 Family and Religious Influences07:31 Annalise's Early Life and Education11:21 The Beginning of Neurological Issues12:51 Seizures and Medical Evaluations19:20 Health Decline and Hospitalization24:29 Hallucinations and Disturbing Experiences28:17 Return Home and Isolation30:13 Resurgence of Seizures37:14 University Life and Relationships44:17 The Role of Exorcism49:59 Transition to Spiritual Interpretation51:23 The Evolution of Symptoms52:54 The Impact of Sleep Deprivation58:00 The Nature of Hallucinations01:01:44 Understanding Guilt and Morality01:04:31 Annalise's Compulsive Behaviors01:10:53 The Role of Exorcism01:19:43 The Deterioration of Annalise01:28:38 Living Two Lives01:32:49 The Theology of Suffering

    The Exorcism Trial of Anneliese Michel: When Medicine, Mental Health & Faith Collide Part 2

  8. Oct 5

    The Exorcism Trial: Anneliese Michel, Faith, Medicine & the Law Part 1

    In this episode of the Associates Did It Podcast, Dr. Josh Carpenter begins an in-depth examination of the tragic and controversial case of Anneliese Michel, a 23-year-old German woman whose death in 1976 followed years of seizures, psychiatric symptoms, medical treatment, and ultimately a series of authorized exorcisms. Her parents and two priests were later charged and convicted of negligent homicide, turning her death into a landmark case involving faith, medicine, responsibility, and the limits of personal belief. Rather than treating the case as a simple supernatural story, Josh approaches it as an attorney and investigator. What did the evidence actually show? What did Anneliese’s doctors know? What did her family believe? What information reached the priests and bishop? And when did observations about her behavior become conclusions about demonic possession? The episode follows Anneliese’s diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy, worsening depression and hallucinations, years of unsuccessful treatment, and the growing belief among members of her family and community that her condition might have a spiritual cause. Members of the clergy initially resisted requests for an exorcism and recommended continued medical treatment before the rite was eventually authorized in 1975. At the center of the episode is a question bigger than whether demons are real: what responsibility do people have to protect a suffering person when faith, medicine, authority, and uncertainty collide? The case raises difficult questions about confirmation bias, expertise, good intentions, medical responsibility, religious authority, and the danger of allowing one explanation to overpower every other possibility. Most importantly, the episode keeps Anneliese herself at the center of the story. Before she became internationally known because of the exorcisms performed on her, she was a student who hoped to become a teacher and live an ordinary life. This series examines not simply what people believed happened to her, but how her life was lost, what decisions were made along the way, and what the courtroom would later say about responsibility. This episode contains discussion of serious mental illness, religious distress, self-harm, neglect, and death. Viewer and listener discretion is advised. Takeaways Complex interplay of faith and mental healthImportance of context in legal cases Evidence is crucial in decision-makingReligious beliefs can complicate medical treatment Chapters 00:00 The Case of Anneliese Michel04:00 Understanding the Context of the 1970s06:00 Exploring Anneliese's Background12:09 The Impact of Religious Beliefs20:02 Medical Diagnosis and Misunderstandings28:01 The Role of Exorcism in Anneliese's Life35:47 Authority and Responsibility in Care39:57 The Importance of Evidence in Care42:06 Annalise's Deteriorating Condition45:17 Community Beliefs and Exorcism Requests48:11 The Role of Experts in the Case51:10 Decision-Making in the Church54:55 Understanding Exorcism and Its Implications01:00:23 The Complexity of Parental Decisions01:02:04 The Authorization of the Exorcism01:07:05 Annalise's Personal Beliefs and Experiences01:10:20 The Path Forward After Authorization

    The Exorcism Trial: Anneliese Michel, Faith, Medicine & the Law Part 1
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The official podcast of Carpenter & Associates - where Texas law meets real talk. Listen to our team of attorneys and special guests as we pull back the curtain on the legal world with insight, humor, and unfiltered stories from the courtroom and beyond. Each episode dives into the realities of law practice, from client challenges and courtroom chaos to the lessons that shape great attorneys. Whether we're breaking down billing, sharing funny stories, or discussing what separates good lawyers from bad, The Associates Did It gives listeners an authentic look inside life at one of Texas' most dynamic litigation firms. Produced by Carpenter & Associates - Dallas, Texas.

Information

  • Creator
    Todd Cohen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Todd Cohen

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