Murder in Illinois

The access to the interrogation video and the collection of Bevely’s DNA raise concerns about official protocol and the broader objectives of the investigation. Additionally, the prosecution’s influence on the case comes under scrutiny.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected]. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The State’s Attorney claimed Bevely’s account of encountering an armed assailant was proven false within days of the murder but a closer look into call records raises questions about other possible suspects.

Wrongful Conviction Podcast Episodes:

Julie Rae

Michelle Murphy

Melissa Lucio

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected]. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The family of Jade’s father share their remembrances of a life tragically ended and thoughts on the woman they believe took it. Speculation as to what could have motivated the murder takes an unlikely turn, leading to Salem, Massachusetts.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected]. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weeks after she was arrested for the murder of her step-daughter, Julia Bevely realized she was expecting her fourth child. Her subsequent treatment during pregnancy, birth and postpartum as a pre-trial detainee remain, next to the murder, the most disturbing aspects of the case.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The day of the sentencing, Bob and Lauren retrace the route Julia Bevely claims to have taken the morning of the murder with surprising results. Her increasingly polarizing fate is then decided in a packed Marion courtroom filled with contrasting emotions.

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob and Lauren connect in Marion, Illinois for Julia Bevely’s sentencing. Through a jailhouse visit with Bevely- and interviews with her family- a narrative emerges that is at odds with key elements of the prosecution theory in terms of the murder and the woman convicted of having committed it. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days after the murder, the Williamson County State’s Attorney announced the death of Jade Beasley- and the arrest of Julia Bevely- in the same press conference. He claimed a thorough investigation had already been conducted, but glaring questions remain to this day. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On December 5th of 2020, a blended family was ripped apart when police responded to a 911 call placed from a rural area in Marion, Illinois. At the scene, they would find an 11-year-old girl, brutally murdered and her hysterical 32-year old stepmother. 

Email us with thoughts, suggestions or tips at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time, Chris Vaughn is breaking his silence - hear him tell his harrowing story in his own words to Jason Flom and Lauren Bright Pacheco on Episode #470 of Wrongful Conviction. Listen here: https://link.chtbl.com/5CpQO-g9

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Join Lauren Bright Pacheco at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, as she investigates the advancements in prostate cancer care.  Dr. Mohammad Atiq shares ways innovative treatments are paving the way for better outcomes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gary Gravina, a skilled carpenter and Marine, was rushed to the ER in 2016 due to severe flu-like symptoms which morphed into a brutal battle with a mysterious disease. Discover how Gary's dire condition would lead him to Dr. David Fajgenbaum and Dr. Grant Mitchell, who had become experts on his rare disease. See how their collaboration not only saved Gary’s life but also significantly impacted the field of medicine.

* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
*
****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ******
If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. David Fajgenbaum, once a college quarterback and competitive weightlifter, turned medical researcher, was the picture of health until he became critically ill at the age of 25. After all available treatments failed to keep him out of the ICU, David, with his friend Grant’s help, races to save his own life, repurposing existing drugs to find a cure.

* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
*
****** SPOILER ALERT BELOW ******
If you’re looking for information on Castleman disease or if would like to find out more about the work of Grant, David, and the Every Cure team, visit EveryCure.org. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On April 28th, 1989, 18-year-old Francisco Benitez was having a normal day. He picked up his paycheck, got a haircut, then went to his friend’s house to watch Beetlejuice on HBO. That same night two teenage boys were shot and killed. An eyewitness said as the shooter ran from the scene, she noticed that he had a fresh haircut. Despite no other similarities between Frank and her description of the shooter, not to mention no physical evidence, Frank was ultimately convicted of the crimes and sentenced to life without parole.

The prison environment was violent and dangerous, Frank says he often wondered “is this the day that I’m going to die in prison?” But his mother Betty was steadfast in her love and her belief in Frank’s innocence. She told him over and over to never give up, even after 34 years, to keep believing that a brighter day is coming.

To learn more and get involved, visit:

Francisco Benitez Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/innocent-man-exonerated-after-34-years

University of Chicago Law School Exoneration Project: https://www.law.uchicago.edu/clinics/exoneration

Loevy & Loevy Civil Rights Law Firm: https://www.loevy.com/ 

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he was just 20 years old, an act of violence changed James “Jimmy” Soto’s life forever. Despite no physical evidence and numerous alibi witnesses, Jimmy and his cousin David were convicted of a 1981 double homicide in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, IL. They would end up serving 42 years in prison, the longest served wrongful conviction sentences in Illinois history.
While incarcerated, Jimmy earned a bachelor’s degree and became a regular in the law library. He helped dozens of his fellow inmates with their legal cases, including his cellmate, Robert Almodovar. Jimmy and Robert formed a lifelong friendship. They helped each other survive prison — and now that they are both exonerated, they’re helping each other adjust to life on the outside.

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/life-after-42-yrs-of-wrongful-imprisonment
https://paroleillinois.org/

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December 1998, 81-year old Mary Bramlett was killed in a drive-by shooting near Whittier, CA. That same night, Miguel Solorio went to the movies with his new girlfriend Silvia Torres then to a party hosted by Miguel’s sister. Despite many alibi witnesses and no physical evidence to tie him to the murder, Miguel was ultimately convicted of the crime.

But Miguel’s wrongful conviction didn’t stop Silvia from loving him — or from pouring everything she had into proving his innocence. When the system failed her, she decided to take the investigation into her own hands and bravely fight for Miguel’s freedom.

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2009, Michelle Morrison was convicted on a felony murder charge along with aggravated assault, criminal attempt to commit armed robbery, and conspiracy over a 2007 shooting that left a man dead. Not only did Michelle not fire the weapon that took the man’s life, but she never even set foot in the house where the shooting occurred. In fact, she didn’t even get out of the car. And yet, Michelle Morrison, at the age of 26, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years.
She is joined by her mother, Cynthia Holland, who has fought fiercely for her daughter’s release. Cynthia truly moved mountains to get her daughter out of prison, and in the process brought about real reform in the Georgia justice system.

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco. Ten new, inspiring episodes of Wrongful Conviction, hosted by Lauren Bright Pacheco, that celebrate the potential of human connection to empower ordinary people to overcome extraordinary odds and injustices. Real individuals who unexpectedly became one another’s personal heroes by turning tragedy into triumph.

Click here to follow Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco:
https://link.chtbl.com/v6pEKYf2

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason welcomes Lauren to the team and they chat about the upcoming season launching on May 27th.

Click here to follow Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco:
https://link.chtbl.com/v6pEKYf2

Wrongful Conviction with Lauren Bright Pacheco is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 19, 1988, 20-year-old Vincent Wright and 17-year-old Anissia Johnson were robbed at gunpoint by two men outside of a convenience store in Fort Lauderdale, FL. A third perpetrator also drove up to the scene in a brown car and instructed the gunmen to steal Wright’s car, which they did. 22-year-old Sidney Holmes came under police suspicion when they discovered that he drove a similar car to that of the third perpetrator – which happened to be one of the most popular cars at the time. Sidney was placed in multiple lineups, but the circumstances in which he was identified were entirely flawed. He also had a solid alibi. Nevertheless, Sidney was sentenced to 400 years in prison for a crime in which no one was injured, and that he did not commit. The two other perpetrators were never apprehended. Lauren Bright Pacheco talks to Sidney Holmes and Brandon Scheck, Sidney's attorney.

To learn more and get involved, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sidney-holmes

https://www.floridainnocence.org/

Wrongful Conviction is a production of Lava for Good™ Podcasts in association with Signal Co. No1.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.