Unheard: True Crime in Their Own Words

This week on Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, I sit down with Jesse Weber, attorney, legal analyst, host, and one of the most recognized voices in true crime and courtroom coverage today. Known for his work with Law&Crime, CourtTV, NewsNation, national television appearances, and extensive coverage of high profile criminal trials, Jesse joins me for an in depth conversation about some of the biggest cases dominating headlines, the evolution of true crime media, courtroom strategy, and what really happens behind the scenes when the cameras are rolling. From livestreamed trials and internet sleuthing to the ethical line between reporting and entertainment, this is a raw and honest discussion between two people who spend their lives immersed in some of the darkest and most talked about stories in the country. We also discuss the pressure of live television, the responsibility that comes with covering victims and defendants in real time, and why certain cases explode into national obsessions while others disappear from public attention. If you follow criminal trials, breaking news, legal analysis, or the modern true crime landscape, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Follow and subscribe to Unheard on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are available. Be sure to leave a review and turn notifications on so you never miss an episode. #JesseWeber #LawAndCrime #TrueCrime #Podcast #UnheardPodcast #CourtTV #NewsNation #LegalAnalysis #CriminalJustice #TrialCoverage #BreakingNews #TrueCrimeCommunity #JustinShepherd #CrimeNews #HighProfileCases See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are cases that sit for years, sometimes decades, with no answers. No suspect, no clear direction, and no path forward. But that’s starting to change. In this episode, Justin sits down with Dr. Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram Labs, to break down how advanced DNA technology is being used to solve cases that were once considered unsolvable. Othram specializes in working with extremely limited or degraded DNA, evidence that, until recently, would have gone nowhere. Their work has helped identify unknown victims, generate new leads in cold cases, and push investigations forward when traditional methods failed. That includes playing an instrumental role in the process that helped connect DNA evidence to Bryan Kohberger in the Idaho four case, using an incredibly small amount of touch DNA. In this conversation, Dr. Mittelman explains how this technology works, what people often misunderstand about DNA evidence, and how forensic science is rapidly evolving. More importantly, this episode looks at what all of this means for the future, where cases that once had no path forward may now have one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s the version of a case you see… and then there’s what’s actually happening while it’s unfolding. In this episode, I’m joined by Allison Weiner, an investigative journalist who’s spent years covering high-profile cases in real time, not after the fact, not cleaned up for a documentary, but as they’re happening. We get into cases like Holly Bobo case and Amy Harwick case, but this isn’t about retelling what happened. It’s about everything that happens around it. How quickly narratives form. How pressure, whether it’s media, law enforcement, or public opinion, can shape the direction of a case. And how hard it is to undo that once it starts. We also talk about the impact on victims’ families, what people misunderstand about investigative reporting, and where the line is in true crime, and what happens when it gets crossed. This is one of those conversations that makes you step back and question how these stories are told… and what you think you know. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Columbine High School shooting changed everything, but what came after is a story most people don’t fully understand. In this episode of Unheard: True Crime In Their Own Words, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shooting, shares what happened after that day, how his family coped with unimaginable loss, and how Rachel’s story became a movement that has impacted millions. This is not only a conversation about Columbine. It’s about what came next. Darrell walks through the creation of Rachel’s Challenge, a program focused on kindness, compassion, and preventing violence in schools, which has now reached more than 30 million students and parents. Alongside Kristi Krings, we talk about bullying, mental health, forgiveness, and what schools, parents, and communities can actually do to change the culture for the next generation. We also get into what people still misunderstand about Columbine, the long-term impact on families, and why Rachel Scott’s message continues to resonate decades later. If you think you understand Columbine, this conversation will challenge that. Make sure you subscribe as we continue bringing you real conversations with the people directly connected to the stories you think you know. SUPPORT RACHEL'S CHALLENGE https://rachelschallenge.org/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it actually look like to chase fugitives for a living… and then have your life turned into a television show? In this episode, I sit down with Justin Bihag, someone who didn’t just appear on Dog the Bounty Hunter… he lived it. We get into what most people never saw. Not the edited version. Not the dramatized version. The reality of what it took to track people down, what those apprehensions actually felt like in the moment, and how quickly everything changed once cameras showed up. We break down the case that put everything on the map, the capture of Andrew Luster, and why that moment became bigger than just one fugitive. It shifted public perception of bounty hunting entirely and turned a dangerous, unpredictable job into something the world suddenly couldn’t stop watching. But the part that stuck with me most isn’t the fame. It’s what came after it. Because when the cameras stop, life doesn’t. Justin talks openly about the pressure, the personal struggles, the hits his life took behind the scenes, and what it’s like trying to rebuild when people think they already know your story. Addiction, scrutiny, relationships, identity, none of it wrapped up neatly when the show ended. And then there’s the comeback. We get into how he found his way back through music, why that outlet matters, and what it takes mentally to keep moving forward when you’ve already lived multiple versions of your life in the public eye. There’s also something else in this conversation that I think people will connect with, the idea of resilience that isn’t polished or performative. It’s messy. It’s imperfect. And it’s real. This isn’t just about reality TV. It’s about what reality actually looks like when the cameras aren’t rolling. Follow and subscribe for more stories that deserve to be heard. These stories don’t get told unless people are willing to listen. New episodes drop every Monday at 2:00pm Central See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.