Let's Go To Court‪!‬ Let's Go To Court!

Hank Robar is not one to be messed with. So when he got into a dispute with village officials in  his hometown of Potsdam, New York, he got even by decorating his property with toilets. Over the years, Hank added more toilets. He decorated the bowls and tanks with artificial flowers. He put so much time and energy into the toilets that he began referring to them as “toilet gardens,” and later, as “art.” Town officials were not amused. They did everything in their power to stop him. 

Then Brandi tells us about the death of Josephine Galbraith. For Josephine’s family, her death was sad, but not shocking. The 76-year-old woman suffered from chronic back pain. She’d recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She’d told her husband and children that she didn’t want to continue living. But when Josephine died in an apparent suicide, a detective on the scene suspected she’d been murdered.   

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The documentary, “Potty Town”
“Hank Robar: The man behind Potsdam’s toilet gardens,” by Sydney Schaefer for NNY360
“Potsdam agrees to toilet garden lawsuit settlement,” by Tom Graser for NNY360
“Owner of Potsdam toilet gardens, village reach undisclosed settlement in federal lawsuit,” by Sydney Schaefer for NNY360
“Robar v. Village of Potsdam Board of Trustees,” casetext.com
“How 5Pointz artists won $6.75 million in lawsuit against developer that destroyed their work,” by Jessica Meiselman for artsy.net

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Red Sash Death” episode Accident, Suicide, or Murder
“Digging Up Buried Bones” by Loren Stein, MetroActive
“’He Would Have Done Anything For Her': Family Fights To Prove Father's Innocence After Mom's Suicide Leads To His Arrest” by Sharon Lynn Pruitt, Oxygen
“$400,000 settlement in wrongful charge” by John Coté, SF Gate
“Santa Clara County to pay $400,000 to Palo Alto family” by Howard Mintz, The Mercury News
“Galbraith v. County of Santa Clara” findlaw.com

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Heather Bogle’s murder was nothing short of brutal. The young, single mother’s body was discovered in the trunk of her car, shot and beaten. Detective Sean O’Connell was assigned to Heather’s case. Despite the fact that Heather disappeared shortly after she finished a shift at the local Whirlpool plant, Detective O’Connell didn’t bother talking to her co-workers. Instead, he focused on three people with no apparent tie to Heather. When samples of their DNA didn’t match DNA found on Heather’s body, the detective hid that information from the district attorney.

Then Brandi felt like she’d been told to go straight to jail when, by chance, Kristin told the history of everyone’s least favorite game – Monopoly. Brandi was tempted to turn on the water works, but she hung in there as Kristin told the tale of how Parker Brothers’ sought a monopoly on Monopoly. Rumor has it that Brandi nearly kicked a small dog with an old boot (again!) but Kristin distracted her with her community chest. 

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
An episode of American Experience, titled, “Ruthless Monopoly’s Secret History”
“Monopoly was designed to teach the 99% about income inequality,” by Mary Pilon for Smithsonian Magazine
“How a fight over a board game monopolized an economist’s life,” by Mary Pilon for the Wall Street Journal
“New game is marked by a two-way stretch,” by Richard Ramella for The Berkeley Gazette
“‘Anti-Monopoly’ loses to Monopoly,” Associated Press, The Hanford Sentinel
“Ralph Anspach,” holocaustfoundation.com/ralph
“Monopoly loses its trademark,” by Pamela G. Hollie for the New York Times

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Good Cop/Bad Cop: The Heather Bogle Murder” episode 48 Hours
“Jagged” episode Dateline
“Heather Bogle” chillingcrimes.com
“How Did An Investigator End Up Behind Bars Himself After Probing The Murder Of An Ohio Mom?” By Jill Sederstrom, Oxygen
“O'Connell victim wins his lawsuit” by Matt Westerhold, Review Times
“Justice comes in 2 colors” by Staff, Sandusky Register

YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 40+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!  

When Jamie Nabozny reached middle school, several of his classmates began bullying him for being gay. They called him names. They spat on him. They tripped him in the halls. Jamie and his parents asked Ashland Middle School Principal Mary Podlesny to discipline Jamie’s tormentors, but she didn’t do shit. Naturally, the bullies became emboldened. When Jamie went to high school, the bullying and harassment worsened. He endured verbal and physical attacks. Once again, Jamie and his parents went through the proper channels. They met with Ashland High School Principal William Davis and Assistant Principal Thomas Blauert to ask that they hold the bullies accountable. They didn’t do shit, either. Nothing moved the administrators to action – not when Jamie was assaulted, not when he was beaten to the point of needing hospitalization, and not even the multiple times he attempted to die by suicide. Years later, after Jamie had time to reflect on what he’d endured, he decided to sue.

Then Brandi tells us about a double murder that shocked the community of Napa, California. On the evening of October 31, 2004, three roommates were at home, settling into bed. The young women were all in their 20s, and all active in their careers. Lauren Meanza was a volleyball coach. Adriane Insogna was a civil engineer. Leslie Mazzara worked in public relations. That night, a man broke into the little home the three women shared. He climbed the stairs and attacked Adriane and Leslie. Lauren, whose room was on the first floor, managed to escape. She hid in the backyard and watched the man escape. In the darkness, she couldn’t be sure who he was.  

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
The documentary, “Bullied: A student, a school, and a case that made history” 
The book, “From the closet to the courtroom: five LGBT rights lawsuits that have changed our nation,” by Carlos Ball
“The ballad of dad and papi,” by Chris Tarbox for Lavender Magazine
“Mother recounts gay-bashing of her son,” Associated Press
“He taught his school a lesson,” by John Tanasychuk for the Detroit Free Press
“A stand for human worth,” by Clifford Rothman for the Los Angeles Times
“The pain of growing up gay,” by Jennifer Weiner for The Philadelphia Inquirer
“School to pay gay man $900,000,” Associated Press
“Nabozny v. Podlesny,” caselaw.findlaw.com
“Jamie Nabozny: Bullied,” by Team TVS on YouTube
“Fighting anti-gay abuse in schools: The opening appellate brief of plaintiff Jamie Nabozny in Nabozny V. Podlesny,” by Patricia M. Logue and Davis S. Buckle for the Michigan Journal of Gender and Law

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Nightmare in Napa” episode 48 Hours
“Eric Copple” episode Snapped
“Good as Gold” episode Forensic Files
“The 2004 Napa Halloween Murders” by Lori Johnston, Medium
“Sole Survivor of Napa Killings Speaks” ABC News
“Cathy Harrington” theforgivenessproject.com

YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 40+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!  

Brandi starts us off with a story that’s as bizarre as it is upsetting. 

Ashlea Ann Harris was, most likely, exhausted. She was an assistant manager at American Eagle, and she’d spent hours preparing the store for Black Friday. When she finally arrived home, it was the wee hours of the morning. She chatted for a while with a friend who’d come over to check on her dog, and then, presumably, fell asleep. But just a few hours later, one of her neighbors called 911. He told the dispatcher that he suspected Ashlea’s apartment was on fire. 

Then Kristin talks about the heartbreaking and infuriating conviction of Michael Politte. When Michael was just 14 years old, he woke up one morning to discover that his mother was dead. She’d been bludgeoned to death. Her body had been set on fire. When police arrived on the scene, they were horrified by Michael’s behavior. He didn’t seem sad enough. He wasn’t emotional enough. So, Michael quickly became the prime suspect.

Early one morning in the winter of 2014, firefighters arrived at the River Ranch Apartments in Fort Worth, Texas. Neighbors pointed them toward the source of the fire – Ashlea Ann Harris’ apartment. They began extinguishing the blaze

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“The Case Against Michael Politte” episode of 48 Hours
“Michael Politte has served 22 years for murder. Experts say he’s innocent.” by Sarah Fenske for St. Louis Public Radio
The “Gates of Hell” episode of Unlocking the Truth
“‘This kid never had a chance’ – Team of lawyers work to prove innocence of 14-year-old convicted in mother’s murder,” by Angie Ricono and Cyndi Fahrlander for WIBW
“2 more jurors say Mo. prisoner Politte deserves new trial,” by Luke Nozicka for The Kansas city Star
“Man gets life in murder of his mother,” by Leroy Sigman for The Daily Journal
“Politte found guilty of murder, “by Doug Smith The Daily Journal
“Testimony continues in murder case,” by Doug Smith The Daily Journal

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“Ashlea Harris” chillingcrimes.com
“Couple Murders Store Manager Who Got Them Fired As Part Revenge, Part Black Friday Heist” by Benjamin H. Smith, oxygen.com
“The Murder of Ashlea Harris” by Kiley, It’s Crime O’Clock Somewhere
“Police: Couple beat, strangled, burned woman” by Staff Writer, Amarillo Globe News
“Police: Texas woman strangled by fmr. co-workers” CBS News
“Mallory v. State” casetext.com

YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 40+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!  

Mike Williams was an avid outdoorsman. So it was no surprise when he headed out early one morning to go duck hunting on Lake Seminole. But it was definitely surprising when Mike wasn’t home by noon. So his wife Denise asked her father and a friend to check on him. They spotted Mike’s vehicle at a remote boat dock, but couldn’t find Mike or his boat anywhere. Searchers eventually discovered Mike’s boat, but couldn’t find his body. As the search continued, investigators discovered – and ignored – clues that Mike had been the victim of foul play.

Then Brandi tells us the story of Jema Donahue. Jema had a protective order against her husband, Javon Donahue, but when she came home one day, she says she found him in her basement brandishing a gun. He attacked her, but Jema fought back. She shot Javon four times. Afterward, Jema called 911. Before she said anything, she hung up.

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“The voice in the lake” episode of Cold Case Files
“Mystery in the swamp,” episode of People Magazine Investigates
“Wife who plotted husband’s murder with his best friend, then married him, gets life in prison,” by Steve Helling for People.com
“Threesome twist revealed during testimony in Denise Williams’ murder trial,” by Jackie Salo for the New York Post
“‘Snowballed’ into murder,” by Karl Etters and Jeff Burlew for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Denise Williams, wife convicted in Mike Williams murder, resentenced to 30 years,” by Karl Etters for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Florida Supreme Court declines review of Denise Williams Case,” by Christopher Cann for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Crusade to conviction,” by Karl Etters and Jennifer Portman for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Brian Winchester grilled as Mike Williams’ family testifies,” by Karl Etters and Jennifer Portman for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Williams murder trial: Denise’s fate will be in jury’s hands today,” by Karl Etters and Jennifer Portman for the Tallahassee Democrat
“Man with ties to cold case in jail on unrelated charges,” by Jennifer Portman for the Tallahassee Democrat

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“A Mother’s Love” episode I Am A Killer
“Buried body found on rural farm in Warrensburg leads to wife's arrest” by Melissa Greenstein, KSHB 41 News
“Two more people charged, additional charges announced against woman who allegedly killed husband” KMBC 9 News
“Knob Noster woman who alleged abuse sentenced in husband’s death” by Associated Press, Fox 4 News
“MARRIAGE ENDS IN MAYHEM Who is Jema Donahue and where is she now?” By Kevin Quinitchett, The Sun
“Donahue receives 10-year sentence on manslaughter charge” by Sue Sterling, johnpicerno.com

YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 40+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!  

Dry those eyes! Your favorite midwestern gals are back from break and fully (ahem) rejuvenated. 

Brandi starts us off with a story that *seems* straightforward. When LaNell Barsock was discovered dead in her home, investigators looked into the most likely suspect – her boyfriend, Louis Bonheur. He’d always been the jealous type. LaNell’s friends said that he could be controlling. In fact, on the day of her murder, Louis got into a public altercation with LaNell. Investigators figured they had their guy. But Louis had a rock-solid alibi.

Then Kristin tells us about one of the douchiest men we’ve ever covered. His name was Ira Einhorn, but he nicknamed himself “The Unicorn.” He claimed that he read a new book every day. He claimed that he invented Earth Day. He claimed to have insider knowledge on everything from extraterrestrials to global conspiracies. What he didn’t like to claim was his history of violence toward women – specifically women who were in the process of dumping him. So when his ex-girlfriend Holly Maddux wound up dead, Ira blamed everyone but himself. 

And now for a note about our process. For each episode, Kristin reads a bunch of articles, then spits them back out in her very limited vocabulary. Brandi copies and pastes from the best sources on the web. And sometimes Wikipedia. (No shade, Wikipedia. We love you.) We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the real experts who covered these cases.

In this episode, Kristin pulled from:
“The Ira Einhorn Case,” by Steve Lopez for Time Magazine 
“Ira Einhorn, counterculture guru and murderer, dies in prison at 79,” by Katharine Q. Seelye for The New York Times
“No, Ira Einhorn is not the founder of Earth Day,” by Dan Mcquade for PhillyMag.com
“A touch of Eden,” by Russ Baker for Esquire
“Ex-Fugitive convicted in 25-year-old murder,” The Associated Press
“Maddux boyfriend testifies he feared for her safety,” by Joann Loviglio for The Associated Press
“For Ira Einhorn, a fate worse than death, by Dave Lindorff for Salon.com
“Fugitive Einhorn is guilty of murder in 1977 bludgeoning of his girlfriend,” by Linda Loyd for the Philadelphia Inquirer
“Former hippie guru Ira Einhorn convicted of killing girlfriend in ‘77,” by Joann Loviglio for The Associated Press
“The Unicorn Killer,” episode of People Magazine Investigates

In this episode, Brandi pulled from:
“The Case of LaNell Barsock” episode Dateline: The Last Day
“Woman leaves false clues in lover's murder, caught after escape to Belize” True Crime Daily
“Investigators Focus In On Slain Nurse's Boyfriend, But Who Is The Real Killer?” By Jill Sederstrom, Oxygen
“Jury deliberates in case of woman accused of shooting ex-lover, fleeing to Belize” by Jerome Campbell, Los Angeles Times
“Palmdale woman guilty of killing lover, framing victim’s boyfriend” The Antelope Valley Times
“Palmdale woman’s conviction upheld for fatally shooting ex-lover” by City News Service, The Antelope Valley Times

YOU’RE STILL READING? My, my, my, you skeezy scunch! You must be hungry for more! We’d offer you some sausage brunch, but that gets messy. So how about you head over to our Patreon instead? (patreon.com/lgtcpodcast). At the $5 level, you’ll get 40+ full length bonus episodes, plus access to our 90’s style chat room!