Crime Story Editor

Katherine Mader spent two decades as a judge in Los Angeles Criminal Court, before retiring early in 2020. Before that she was the LAPD’s first Inspector General, prosecuted two murder-for-hire trials and served as a defense attorney who convinced a jury to spare the life of the Hillside Strangler. In August of this year, Judge Mader published Inside the Robe: A Judge’s Candid Tale of Criminal Justice in America, which best selling author Michael Connelly called: “a perfect book: engrossing and telling at the same time.” The Judge has granted Crime Story permission to excerpt the entirety of her book...

Katherine Mader spent two decades as a judge in Los Angeles Criminal Court, before retiring early in 2020. Before that she was the LAPD’s first Inspector General, prosecuted two murder-for-hire trials and served as a defense attorney who convinced a jury to spare the life of the Hillside Strangler. In August of this year, Judge Mader published Inside the Robe: A Judge’s Candid Tale of Criminal Justice in America, which best selling author Michael Connelly called: “a perfect book: engrossing and telling at the same time.” The Judge has granted Crime Story permission to excerpt the entirety of her book...

Katherine Mader spent two decades as a judge in Los Angeles Criminal Court, before retiring early in 2020. Before that she was the LAPD’s first Inspector General, prosecuted two murder-for-hire trials and served as a defense attorney who convinced a jury to spare the life of the Hillside Strangler. In August of this year, Judge Mader published Inside the Robe: A Judge’s Candid Tale of Criminal Justice in America, which best selling author Michael Connelly called: “a perfect book: engrossing and telling at the same time.” The Judge has granted Crime Story permission to excerpt the entirety of her book...

You can find links to all of CRIME STORY’S coverage of the Robert Durst trial here. Today, we reported on a readiness hearing for the resumption of the murder trial of Robert Durst. During the hearing, Durst surprisingly asked to speak to the Judge. Below we present audio and transcript of those proceedings. Judge Mark E. Windham: The People of the State of California versus Robert Durst. On the phone, we have Mr. DeGuerin, Mr. Chesnoff, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Re. For the people in person, Mr. Lewin, Mr. Balian, Milius, Mr. Miyata Mr. Henderson. The Court conferred telephonically with all parties on...

You can find links to all of CRIME STORY’S coverage of the Robert Durst trial here. Robert Durst — who's story became an international sensation through the HBO Series "The Jinx" — was back in an LA courthouse today. Durst has been residing a hospital room at the LA County Jail since his trial for the murder of his friend Susan Berman was suspended almost exactly one year ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the hearing was for Judge Mark E. Windham to assess the readiness of the parties to resume the trial on March 17 of this...

Katherine Mader spent two decades as a judge in Los Angeles Criminal Court, before retiring early in 2020. Before that she was the LAPD’s first Inspector General, prosecuted two murder-for-hire trials and served as a defense attorney who convinced a jury to spare the life of the Hillside Strangler. In August of this year, Judge Mader published Inside the Robe: A Judge’s Candid Tale of Criminal Justice in America, which best selling author Michael Connelly called: “a perfect book: engrossing and telling at the same time.” The Judge has granted Crime Story permission to excerpt the entirety of her book...