This week the docs review the true crime documentary, “I AM VANESSA GUILLEN”. The doc is a 2022 Netflix original directed by Christy Wegener that recounts the horrific story of a young U.S. soldier who was brutally murdered at Fort Hood military base by another soldier. As well as guiding the audience through the brutal commission of the crime, the documentary also follows Vanessa’s family - who are determined to reveal the truth of their daughter’s experience of assault by taking their case all the way to Congress.

This week, the docs explore the psychology behind groups of people acting out in violent and sometimes murderous ways while taking justice into their own hands. They cover a brief history of lynch mobs in the US, before revisiting vigilantism and look at "mob mentality" before covering a couple of case studies.

This week, the docs delve into the sequence of events that precipitated the tragic and disastrous "Zoot Suit" riots in Los Angeles. Despite the Zoot Suit riots receiving far less attention than deserved in the annals of the civil rights struggle in the United States, they represent a pivotal moment in both Los Angeles and national history. The docs investigate how the media exacerbated tensions by demonizing the Latino community, while also shedding light on the pervasive racism and marginalization perpetuated by industry and law enforcement through opinion pieces.

As requested by listeners, we take a look at Copycat Crimes by discussing news and fictional media influences, low-level neighborhood crime, mass shootings, and case studies of infamous murders that inspired other killers.

This week we watched and reviewed the CNN (now on MAX) documentary, Chowchilla. In the late 70's, in the farming town of Chowchilla, California, 26 children and their school bus driver were stopped in the middle of a rural road by three armed men. The men systematically kidnapped the driver and the children and sequestered them in a dark and virtually airless truck trailer and then buried them. While all of the victims survived, they have spent their lives dealing with a multitude of symptoms of trauma and we get to hear from them in this truly bizarre tale.

This week the docs dive into the subject of "Sovereign Citizens," individuals or groups in the United States, and increasingly, around the globe who adhere to a fringe legal theory asserting that they are not subject to the authority of government entities. In Part 2, the docs review the research literature and discuss Sovereign Citizens' engagement with law enforcement, court systems and the general public and the mental gymnastics have moved this once fringe movement into violence.

This week the docs dive into the subject of "Sovereign Citizens," individuals or groups in the United States, and increasingly, around the globe who adhere to a fringe legal theory asserting that they are not subject to the authority of government entities. In Part 1, the docs discuss the history of the Sovereign Citizen movement and the basics of the ideology that lends to wild and frustrating antics.

Please enjoy this conversation with Eric Carter-Landin of the True Consequences podcast from 2021. Eric's baby brother, Jacob, was killed 36 years ago by his mother's boyfriend and he has never been charged. The case remains "unsolved" and without justice. Today's release is updated with a statement from Eric on his fight for justice.

This week the docs review the one - episode documentary entitled "Hell Camp." It's a fascinating and necessary subject that falls somewhat flat in its narrative structure while still illuminating a dark chapter in the recent US history of behavioral modification and "personal growth" wilderness camps. While the sales pitch of Steve Cartisano's wilderness camp entitled Challenger Foundation sold a bill of goods to frustrated parents across the US; a way to control and re-make their "out-of-control" teens, the kids' experience at the wilderness camp in the harsh Utah desert was a nightmare.

This week in the follow-up episode to Behind the Collar Part 1: Crime of the Clergy, the docs discuss the consequences of religious trauma & violence by digging into the research and reviewing some victims' stories. They also discuss the disparity between how male and female victims are treated after they report and how to empower children to learn critical thinking skills as another layer of reducing victimhood.

This week, we recount a 1950's case of a serial home invasion robber. We lay some groundwork for life & crime in LA in the 50's before discussing the crime spree by the man wearing a green scarf over his face. We also touch on the psychological impacts of home invasion robberies on victims.

It’s a new year and that means a new profession to examine in terms of criminality.

The bad behavior of individuals of the clergy hits harder than most due to their achieved authority status and sacred trust. The docs give an overview of organized religious atrocities before getting into individuals' crimes. They also dive into the research that tries to explain the Catholic sex abuse scandal and address relevant personality traits, before covering the Warren Jeffs case.

In this months documentary review, the docs take on “The Devil on Trial" a Netflix movie that tracks a bizarre story that includes a demonic possession, demon hunters, exorcism, murder and possible mental illness. Written and directed by Chris Holt, the documentary takes on a fascinating subject with somewhat disappointing results. The docs examine the contradictions in the narrative and missed opportunities of exploring family trauma.

This week, the docs deviate from a classic forensic psych topic in order to bring you a sinister and tragic holiday mystery: The disappearance of four of the ten Sodder Family children in 1945 during a horrific and destructive house fire on Christmas Eve. To this day, the trail of the missing children remains cold with theories that range from kidnapping to murder. One thing is certain: the 45 minute blaze that destroyed their family home could not have incinerated their remains. The docs discuss the complex grief that emerges from the loss of children and siblings and its impact on the family dynamic.

Before midnight on October 1, 1910, a serial bomber crept through the dark streets of Los Angeles placing three bombs at strategic locations for the purpose of destroying and disrupting the anti-union stances of the journalism giant, the LA Times. We cover the social and cultural history of the time, as well as the crime and trial of those responsible for this early act of terrorism.

Join the docs this week for an episode that examines the intersection between criminal acts and the diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder. While relatively rare and completely unrelated to schizophrenia, Schizoid Personality Disorder is found to have a great impact than ASPD when in the presence of other diagnoses. Cases discussed include the first California school shooting and the brutal and impulsive murder of a child in Brooklyn. This episode builds on the information provided to the docs on their Behind The Couch Livestream with author N. Leigh Hunt.

This week the docs review the 4 part MAX documentary series "Last Call Killer: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York”. A rare 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes has gotten this well produced series a great deal of exposure on a serial killer in early 1990's New York who systematically and brutally murdered a number of gay men. The documentary does a beautiful job lifting the victims lives out of a true crime narrative, while laying out the incompetence and indifference of the investigators at the time.

This week the docs unlock the enigma of criminal acts committed by children. We delve into disturbing examples of historical and recent cases of homicides committed by children with a thorough explanation of the complexities of nature versus nurture.

This month's vintage episode focuses on yet ANOTHER rattlesnake - themed killer, Robert James. Using his smooth southern charm, James left a trail of destruction from the heart of Alabama across the United States, conning and killing many of the women who had the misfortune of crossing his path. Insurance cons, murder, incest and rattlesnakes all play a role in the story of this cold and vicious killer.