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.
626
December 12, 2018: Grease Vent Thief Caught
A botched burglary left a would-be thief stuck in the grease vent of an abandoned Chinese restaurant. He was trapped for two days.
9 min
627
December 11, 2001: Operation Buccaneer
U.S. Law Enforcement launched a successful initiative against online piracy, seizing computers across the country and shutting down a group called Drink or Die.
12 min
628
December 10, 1945: Lipstick Killer Murder
Frances Brown was one of three victims of the self-titled “Lipstick Killer,” who left a message for police on Brown’s living room wall written in the victim’s lipstick.
14 min
629
December 9, 2008: Illinois Governor Arrested
Rod Blagojevich, nicknamed “Governor Sunshine,” was arrested by FBI agents on bribery and conspiracy charges.
11 min
630
December 8, 1980: John Lennon Assassinated
The world-famous rock star and advocate for world peace was murdered in broad daylight in New York.
12 min
631
December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attacked
The surprise attack on the U.S. naval base killed over 2,400 U.S. soldiers, sailors and civilians, and thrust the nation into war.
12 min
632
December 6, 1993: Former Priest Sentenced
James R. Porter was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing 28 children.
13 min
633
December 5, 1872: Ghost Ship Found in the Atlantic
The crew of the Dei Gratia found the abandoned Mary Celeste drifting in open water.
14 min
634
December 4, 1971: McGurk’s Bar Bombing
In one of the deadliest bombings in Irish history, an explosion destroyed McGurk’s Bar in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
11 min
635
December 3, 1792: King Louis XVI’s Trial
The French National Convention resolved to put the king on trial for committing high crimes against France throughout his 18-year reign.
13 min
636
December 2, 1993: Pablo Escobar Killed
The infamous drug lord was killed in a shootout with Colombian law enforcement.
13 min
637
December 1, 1955: Rosa Parks Arrested
The civil rights activist was arrested by Montgomery police for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger.
13 min
638
November 30, 2001: Former Sheriff Charged
Sidney Dorsey, former DeKalb County Sheriff in Georgia, was arrested for the murder of Sherriff-elect Derwin Brown after losing his bid for re-election.
12 min
639
November 29, 1994: Julianne Stallman Murdered
The brutality of the still-unsolved murder shocked Butte, Montana.
12 min
640
November 28, 1992: King William’s Town Golf Clu...
In a time of extreme racial tensions in South Africa, militant gunmen opened fire in a country club, killing four people and injuring twenty.
13 min
641
November 27, 1970: Pope Paul VI Attacked
It was the first modern papal assassination attempt: A Bolivian painter disguised as a priest attacked the pope while he was visiting the Philippines.
14 min
642
November 26, 1975: “Squeaky” Fromme Found Guilty
One of the most committed members of the Manson Family tried to assassinate President Gerald Ford.
11 min
643
November 25, 1986: Iran-Contra Scandal Revealed
President Reagan stunned reporters — and the world — at a press briefing weeks after a Lebanese magazine reported the U.S. had sold weapons to Iran.
13 min
644
November 24, 1946: Serial Killer Ted Bundy Is Born
The notorious murderer, who grew up believing his mother was his sister, displayed a penchant for violence from a young age.
15 min
645
November 23, 1985: EgyptAir Hijacking
One of the deadliest airliner attacks in history began when gunmen hijacked EgyptAir Flight 648 en route to Cairo.
12 min
646
November 22, 2019: William Hargrove Found Guilty
A dramatic love triangle ends in murder, and an Oregon man named William Hargrove is convicted for killing his 27-year-old Russian fiancée.
14 min
647
November 21, 1987: Oakdale Prison Siege
After news broke that Cuban inmates were subject to new deportation orders, detainees at a federal prison in Louisiana united in an attempt to overtake the prison.
12 min
648
November 20, 1945: Nuremberg Trials Begin
Nearly two dozen Nazis went on trial in Nuremberg, Germany to answer for atrocities committed during World War II.
11 min
649
November 19, 1998: Clinton’s Impeachment Inquiry
President Bill Clinton was charged with lying under oath and obstruction of justice.
13 min
650
November 18, 1978: Jonestown Massacre
Cult leader Jim Jones ordered the mass murder-suicide of hundreds of his followers.
12 min