Today in True Crime
There’s never an ordinary day in true crime history. Flip back the calendar and see how one fateful day can ripple through time. Today in True Crime is a Spotify Original from Parcast.
1
November 1, 1950: Truman Assassination Attempt
On this day in 1950, two members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman.
13 min
2
October 31, 1984: Indian Prime Minister Assassi...
On this day in 1984, India’s first female P.M., Indira Gandhi, was assassinated outside of her home in New Delhi.
14 min
3
October 30, 1831: Nat Turner Apprehended
On this day in 1831, Nat Turner was apprehended in Southampton County, Virginia, weeks after leading the bloodiest slave uprising in U.S. history.
11 min
4
October 29, 1901: Death of McKinley’s Assassin
On this day in 1901, 28-year-old Leon Czolgosz was executed via electric chair for fatally shooting U.S. President William McKinley.
12 min
5
October 28, 1895: H.H. Holmes Murder Trial Begins
On this day in 1895, serial killer H.H. Holmes went on trial for murder in Philadelphia. He refused a court appointed lawyer, opting to defend himself.
12 min
6
October 27, 1659: Quakers Hanged for Being Quakers
On this day in 1659, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson became the first Quakers to be executed for their religion in America.
13 min
7
October 26, 2007: Verdict for Murderer of Expec...
On this day in 2007, Lisa Montgomery was given the death penalty for murdering 8-months-pregnant Bobbie Jo Stinnett and cutting the baby from her womb.
13 min
8
October 25, 1929: Teapot Dome Scandal
On this day in 1929, President Harding’s interior secretary, Albert B. Fall, was found guilty of accepting a bribe while in office.
14 min
9
October 24, 1986: UK Closes Syrian Embassy
On this day in 1986, the British government cut diplomatic ties with Syria over a failed airplane bombing — an attack that was allegedly planned by Syrian intelligence.
11 min
10
October 23, 1982: Christ Miracle Healing Shootout
On this day in 1982, police in southern Arizona engaged in a deadly shootout with members of the Christ Miracle Healing Center and Church.
13 min
11
October 22, 1934: Pretty Boy Floyd Killed
On this day in 1934, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd died after a shootout with the police.
12 min
12
October 21, 2009: Elizabeth Olten Murdered
On this day in 2009, Alyssa Bustamante killed her 9-year-old next-door neighbor, Elizabeth Olten.
13 min
13
October 20, 2003: Man Illegally Jumps Over Niag...
On this day in 2003, 40-year-old Kirk Jones threw himself over Niagara Falls... and miraculously survived.
11 min
14
October 19, 2000: Robert Lee Yates, Jr. Pleads ...
On this day in 2000, serial killer Robert Lee Yates, Jr. pled guilty to thirteen murders.
12 min
15
October 18, 1985: Benjamin Moloise Hangs
On this day in 1985, South African authorities executed Black activist Benjamin Moloise after he was convicted of murdering a police officer.
16 min
16
October 17, 1931: Al Capone Convicted
On this day in 1931, 32-year-old gangster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion, finally ending his violent reign as ‘Public Enemy Number One.’
14 min
17
October 16, 1965: Lesley Ann Downey Found Dead
On this day in 1965, British police found the body of missing 10-year-old girl, Lesley Ann Downey. Lesley was one of the five young victims of serial killers Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.
15 min
18
October 15, 1991: Clarence Thomas Confirmed to ...
On this day in 1991, Clarence Thomas was narrowly confirmed to the Supreme Court — despite allegations of sexual harassment by Thomas’s former aide, Anita Hill.
12 min
19
October 14, 1912: Theodore Roosevelt Assassinat...
On this day in 1912, saloonkeeper John Schrank shot U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
12 min
20
October 13, 54 CE: Death of Emperor Claudius
On this day in the year 54 CE, Roman Emperor Claudius was poisoned by his wife Agrippina.
13 min
21
October 12, 1978: Sex Pistols Girlfriend Found ...
On this day in 1978, 20-year-old Nancy Spungen — the girlfriend of former Sex Pistols’ bassist Sid Vicious — was found dead.
12 min
22
October 11, 2002: Ken Bridges Shot While Gassin...
On this day in 2002, a Black businessman named Kenneth Bridges died in a random shooting. His murderers came to be known as the Beltway Snipers for their senseless three-week killing spree.
12 min
23
October 10, 2003: A.P. Report on the Zetas
On this day in 2003, the Associated Press first reported on a dangerous Mexican drug cartel known as the Zetas.
12 min
24
October 9, 2002: Aileen Wuornos Executed
On this day in 2002, serial killer Aileen Wuornos was executed by the state of Florida. Twelve years earlier, Aileen murdered as many as seven men in cold blood.
12 min
25
October 8, 1987: Hungerford Memorial
On this day in 1987, the town of Hungerford in Berkshire, England held a memorial service for 16 residents—all of whom were slain in a vicious shooting spree.
13 min