Crime Story Editor

In Part 65, Judge Mader discusses her evolving views of police officers and explores what constitutes ‘the perfect trial.’ She also revisits the topic of race in jury selection. July 6 Police officers usually testify in all criminal cases, and many judges have careers during which they worked closely or antagonistically with the police. My experience with police officers has been admiring as well as disappointing. As a young girl, I wanted to join the FBI. I’ve always loved investigation. Graduating from law school in 1972, at the height of anti-establishment fervor, led me to become a deputy public defender in...

Despite having an alibi, Roeling spent 28 years in prison because of eyewitness misidentification, circumstances of gang loyalty, and a dubious star witness. Now, he's free.

You can find links to all of CRIME STORY’S coverage of the Robert Durst trial here. This episode, Robert Durst's Love Nest, focuses on the testimony of Susan Giordano and Jeanne Clark, examining the loyalty that Robert Durst seems to inspire in his female companions, as well as the possible reasons that the prosecution called these witnesses. Host Kary Antholis discusses these dynamics with co-host Brittany Bookbinder and Charles V. Bagli, who is covering the trial for The New York Times and CrimeStory.com.

In Part 64, Judge Mader considers neutrality in two contexts: Her own need to remain neutral as a jurist and so-called race neutral reasons for dismissing potential jurors. July 1 Reflecting on yesterday’s verdict, I realize that it didn’t matter to me which side won. This leads me to a larger issue. Does a judge care who wins? Or, more pointedly, can a judge ensure one side wins? Often one advocate is pleasant, and the other attorney rude and obnoxious. If that happens during a short matter, it’s easy for me to stay calm and neutral; if I am stuck with an...

In Part 63, Judge Mader discusses the use of 'extraction orders' for inmates that refuse to attend court dates. She also reflects on why she began keeping a diary and what she hopes others can gain from her insight. June 28 Firearms are a subject that divides judges, sometimes along personality lines, sometimes political ones. Due to potential threats from defendants, their families, and their gangs, judges may carry concealed weapons if they have an official permit and weapons training. Family law judges, especially, are vulnerable to dangers from litigants. I have never fired a gun. I’m not against gun ownership....

You can find links to all of CRIME STORY’S coverage of the Robert Durst trial here. In this episode, What Happened to Morris Black's Head?, we examine how the prosecution in the Susan Berman murder trial presents Robert Durst's pattern of making calculated but clumsy moves to cover up his wrongdoings. Using the text of his 2003 testimony during the trial for the murder of Morris Black — as read by actors David Kelsey and Curt Cornelius — we'll look at how Robert Durst’s story then compares to the prosecution’s narrative today. Later in this episode, host Kary Antholis, co-host Brittany Bookbinder,...