Anyone paying attention can tell you that our criminal justice system is broken, but the complexity of the legal world overwhelms most people simply trying to get through another day. Public Defenseless explores the rot in the justice system and what we
The Public Defenseless podcast is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the flaws and injustices within the criminal justice system. As someone who has spent ten years working in the system, I have witnessed firsthand how certain things do not matter in the pursuit of justice. This podcast exposes the dark underbelly of the system and sheds light on important issues that are often overlooked or intentionally hidden.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to educate listeners on insider aspects of the criminal justice system that are not commonly known. As someone with a criminal justice degree and years of experience working in the court system, I thought I had a good understanding of how things operate. However, this podcast has highlighted so many crucial details and perspectives that I was previously unaware of. It offers knowledgeable, brave, and passionate individuals a platform to share their stories, air problems, and suggest potential solutions. This kind of open dialogue is essential for bringing about much-needed reform in our criminal justice system.
However, one glaring issue with this podcast is its lack of balance or representation from those working within the system who might have a different perspective. While it is important to shed light on flaws and injustices, it would also be beneficial to hear from individuals who may have insight into why certain decisions are made or how initiatives are being taken to address these issues. By presenting a more well-rounded view, listeners can form a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved.
In conclusion, The Public Defenseless podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in criminal justice reform and restorative justice. It provides an unfiltered look at the flaws within our current system while offering potential solutions and sparking vital conversations. While there may be room for improvement in terms of representing different perspectives, this should not diminish the importance or impact of the information presented. I highly recommend this podcast to both legal professionals and non-attorney individuals seeking to gain a deeper understanding of our criminal justice system.
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Andrew Crespo to continue the conversation about how we can improve how criminal law is taught. On this episode, we dive into the new criminal law text book that Andrew and his co-author, John Rappaport, recently published to learn a better way to teach criminal law. Guest Andrew Crespo, Professor of Law, Morris Wasserstein Public Interest Professor of Law Executive Faculty Director, Institute to End Mass Incarceration, Harvard University Resources: Andrew's Faculty Page https://hls.harvard.edu/faculty/andrew-m-crespo/ Andrew and John's Book https://aspenpublishing.com/products/crespo-criminallawamericanpenalsys?srsltid=AfmBOoqnaBc-2_PBCEJcaHFiEERzwgSJJwMWFPTXMtAl3xkWozObifci Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined by Professor Alice Ristroph for the first of a two-part focus on how and why we teach Criminal Law the way we do. On today's episode, Hunter and Alice explore the historical roots of criminal law teaching, critique it, and discuss ways in which we can improve how criminal law is taught to law students. Guest Alice Ristroph, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School Resources: Contact Alice Here https://www.brooklaw.edu/contact-us/ristroph-alice/writings/ Read Alice's Law Review Article https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/faculty/1257/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Mano Raju, the Elected Chief Public Defender in San Francisco. In the past couple of weeks, Mano made the difficult decision to stop accepting new case assignments one day a week. Thanks to the tough on crime policies of DA Brooke Jenkins and Prop 36, the workloads for San Francisco Public Defenders have reach unsustainable numbers. How did we get here, what comes next, and will this be a harbinger of things to come in California? All that and more on today's episode. Guest Mano Raju, Chief Public Defender, San Francisco, California Resources: Coverage of the Office https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/09/public-defender-fentanyl-san-francisco-lurie/ https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/sf-public-defender-caseload-20329216.php Contact Mano or the Office manohar.raju@sfgov.org https://sfpublicdefender.org/ https://www.facebook.com/sfpublicdefender https://x.com/sfdefender https://www.instagram.com/sfpublicdefender/ https://bsky.app/profile/manorajupd.bsky.social https://x.com/manorajupd?lang=en Pictures of Beans https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1feblbsr1Nc4m-LrM4exCO3PyCM4v4ke7?usp=drive_link Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined by Bob Kolstad, Maggie Bott, and Olivia Henstein to discuss why they are pushing Minnesota Public Defenders to create a new, independent union. In the past few years, the current union, organize under Teamsters, was able to secure massive salary raises for Public Defenders around the state. However, that strike threat was built without much help or support from the leadership of the Teamster's union. As a result, rank and file members, public defenders and the staff of the offices, are considering starting their own public defender lead union. Guest Bob Kolstad, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Maggie Bott, Public Defender, Hennepin County, Minnesota Olivia Henstein, Paralegal, Hennepin County, Minnesota Resources: Check out UDAM Here https://uniteddefenseadvocatesminnesota.org/ Email Bob bob@robertkolstad.com Email Maggie mabott95@gmail.com Email Olivia olhenstein@yahoo.com Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined by longtime Louisiana Criminal Defense Lawyer and President of the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer, Jim Boren. Over the past year, Hunter has discussed the erosion of public defender independence since Remy Starns became the chief public defender of the state. Now, Remy Starns is slated to fire five chief public defenders from around the state who opposed some of the policies that consolidated power into his hands. Today's episode is all about how this has happened and what the criminal defense bat should do in response. Guest Jim Boren, President, Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Resources: Email Jim jim@jamesboren.com Coverage of the Firings https://lailluminator.com/2025/05/09/louisiana-lawmakers-deny-state-public-defenders-power-grab-again/ https://lailluminator.com/2025/04/08/louisiana-bill-might-thwart-local-public-defenders-fighting-to-keep-their-jobs/ https://www.nola.com/news/courts/5-louisiana-chief-public-defenders-to-lose-their-jobs/article_09b183a6-011e-11f0-9b21-3746a0d291e9.html https://www.richlandtoday.com/article/459,public-defenders-defend-themselves-against-firings https://www.kalb.com/2025/03/20/louisiana-public-defenders-accuse-state-official-violating-their-free-speech/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined by a whole host of characters from the Missouri Public Defender System. When Hunter last looked into Missouri Public Defense, he spoke with Annie Legomsky to discuss the remarkable project of implementing Holistic Defense statewide. As one of the only statewide systems with holistic defense, Missouri stands as a great example of how finding creative sources of funding can allow Public Defenders to demonstrate to legislators the potential Public Defense has to improve the community once it has the funding to work outside of the four corners of the court room. Guest Mary Fox, Chief Public Defender, Missouri Kellie Duckering, District Defender, Carthage, Missouri Camille Iorio, Disposition Specialist, Child Defense Team, St. Louis, Missouri Ben Greene, Mitigation Specialist, Springfield, Missouri Mae Redmond, Client Advocate, Partners for Justice Mikayla Kitchen, Holistic Advocate, Missouri Resources: Listen to My Episode w/Annie Here https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vJByEFrCzPreZ1uEJ6Syc?si=_3kujCGWT7mgKrElVJ_gHQ&nd=1&dlsi=07c74dd5ccd94d61 Contact the Missouri Public Defender Here https://publicdefender.mo.gov/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined once again by Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel of the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services. This time, Hunter and Anthony dive into what can be done about the low hourly rates for CPCS's contract counsel and how recent courage from the bench and the state house gives them hope that those pay increases are in fact possible. Guest Anthony Benedetti, Chief Counsel, Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services Resources: CPCS Website https://www.publiccounsel.net/ Listen to my first episode with Anthony Here https://open.spotify.com/episode/3OxwnFFjrC1ruJPSDFywp5?autoplay=true Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter was joined by Ivery Dorsey, a man who for the last 18 years was incarcerated for a homicide he did not commit. On a previous episode on the show, Hunter spoke with one of the students, Kerrie Liang, who have been fighting to prove Ivery's innocence, but today, Ivery joins the show to tell his story. From the representation he received, the conditions of his confinement, and how he hopes to pursue his dreams of shoe design and music production, Ivery's hope for a better future is contagious. Guest Ivery Dorsey, Musician, Shoe Designer, and Formerly Wrongfully Incarcerated Resources: Find Ivery's Work Here https://www.instagram.com/bringiveryhome/ https://linktr.ee/iverydorsey?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeLW1kjxY7sK62kuTiLNcatd3fyDP_Ef7irRMROOrygT6fcCLGeJSEVDP_kbg_aem_eBajaBuFJnQ9L3y15JR3jw Read More About the Story Here https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2025/02/princeton-news-broadfocus-making-an-exoneree-course-frees-third-person-ivery-dorsey Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Harris County, Texas Chief Public Defender Alex Bunin. Just over a decade ago, Public Defense in Harris County looked like it did in most of the state. A group of private defense counsel contracted with the county to provide Public Defense. Unfortunately, Harris County was not spared of the many, well documented issues, with a primarily privately contracted public defense system. Then the county established the Public Defender Office, and since then, Alex and his team have gradually started taking on more cases and expanding the definition of what Public Defense is. Guest Alex Bunin, Chief Public Defender, Harris County, Texas Resources: Harris County Public Defender Website https://hcpdo.org/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat with Josh Occhiogrosso-Schwartz, a Principal at the Wren Collective, to discuss their recent report on flat rate Public Defender contracts in California. Long time listeners of the show will recall that the American Bar Association discourages the use of flat rate fees because of the negative economic incentive it creates for the attorneys working under those contracts. In what will come as a surprise to no one who studies Public Defense, the Wren Collective examined the 24 counties in California who utilized flat rate contracts for their Public Defender needs, and they found a system that wholly failed to protect the right to counsel. From a lack of investigators to minimal oversight over specific attorneys, these flat rate contracts are failing the counties in California. Fortunately, there is a bill pending in the state that may see the use of these contracts come to an end. Guest Josh Occhiogrosso-Schwartz, Principal, The Wren Collective Resources: Read the Report Here: https://www.wrencollective.org/_files/ugd/8fe8f0_71aac7e039fd4ee695ec6c8736cd1b72.pdf Contact Josh Here josh.occhiogrosso-schwartz@wrencollective.com Follow the Bill (AB690) Here https://aclucalaction.org/bill/ab-690/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Julie Ciccolini, the CEO of Techtivist. When she was working as a paralegal at the NY Legal Aid Society, Julie, like so many in a Public Defender Office, realized that there was immense amounts of data on police misconduct that was going un-used. So, Julie helped to set up a database that allowed Public Defenders to track and use this data in their cases. Realizing that this issue extended far beyond New York, Julie founded Techtivist as a way to help Public Defenders set up and utilize databases that keep track of police misconduct. Guest Julie Ciccolini, CEO, Techtivist Resources: Check out Techtivist Here https://www.techtivist.com/ Read the Blue Wall of Silence Report Here https://www.nacdl.org/Document/DismantlingtheBlueWallofSilenceTrackLawEnfMiscond Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Zachary Heiden, Carol Garvan, and Professor Eve Primus to discuss the ACLU of Maine's major victory in the fight to change Maine's Public Defense. Since the Sixth Amendment Center's report came out years ago, one thing was clear about Public Defense in Maine: it was in a state of crisis. Now, there finally appears to be a path out of the crisis. Thanks in part to the lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Maine, the courage of public defenders, the judiciary, and the delayed but strong action of the legislature, Maine is on the path to Public Defender Offices around the state. On this episode, we discuss how this happened, why it was needed, and what other states can and should learn from this story. Guest Carol Garvan, Legal Director, ACLU of Maine Zachary Heiden, Chief Counsel, ACLU of Maine Eve Primus, Professor of Law, University of Michigan Resources: Contact the ACLU of Maine Here https://www.aclumaine.org/en Read more about the decision here https://www.aclumaine.org/en/robbinsvictory#:~:text=A%20superior%20court%20ruled%20in,to%20end%20the%20ongoing%20crisis.&text=In%20April%202019%2C%20the%20Sixth,on%20public%20defense%20in%20Maine. 6AC Report https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6AC_me_report_2019.pdf Professor Primus's Faculty Page https://michigan.law.umich.edu/faculty-and-scholarship/our-faculty/eve-brensike-primus Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter is Re-Releasing his episode with Professor of Law Corinna Lain becuase her book, Secretes of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, is now available! If you haven't listened already or picked up a copy of the book, now is great time to remember the hisotry of lethal injection and what that history means for the death peanlty today! https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Killing-State-Untold-Injection/dp/1479832960 Today, Hunter spoke with Law Professor Corinna Lain to discuss her career of research around the death penalty and lethal injection. While it may seem strange to hyper focus on lethal injection, there is something to be said about understanding how and why lethal injection became the defacto method for state sanctioned murder. When lethal injection was offered to the American people, it was designed to do one simple thing: hide the reality of state sponsored murder. So long as people could look away from the violence of the state, they could place execution out of mind. In doing so, the practice could continue in relative secrecy. Today's episode is about lifting the shroud on that secrecy to examine the way the lethal injection is just as, if not more, violent, cruel, and unusual and any other form of execution. Guests: Corrina Lain, SD Roberts and Sandra Moore Professor of Law, Richmond School of Law Resources: Can Europe end the Death Penalty? https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/02/can-europe-end-the-death-penalty-in-america/283790/ US Botched Executions https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/executions/botched-executions Execution of Clayton Lockett https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/13/botched-oklahoma-execution-clayton-lockett-bloody-mess Corinna Lain Faculty Page https://law.richmond.edu/faculty/clain/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN
Today, Hunter spoke Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Murat Erkan. Recently, Murat represented Wilson Martell-Lebron in a criminal trial in Boston Municipal Court. Martell-Lebron faced two felony charges related to accusations that he lied on his driver's license application. At its core, this case was an accusation that Martell-Lebron was an undocumented immigrant. However, Martell-Lebron never got to vindicate his innocence because the Suffolk County DA, the police involved in the case, and an ICE agent conspired to abducted Martell-Lebron in the middle of his trial. This episode is a wild documentation of a conspiracy to subvert a man's right to trial. Guest Murat Erkan, Partner and Criminal Defense Lawyer, Erkan Sullivan PC, Massachusetts Resources: Google Drive Containing the Court Filings https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pegoD0V5gEFXZqcsMQKOYcu9s1_AX3JV?usp=sharing Coverage Once the Federal Court got the Contempt https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/ice-agent-contempt-boston-trial-arrest/#:~:text=Boston%20Municipal%20Court%20Judge%20Mark,to%20bring%20charges%20against%20Sullivan. https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-arrest-trial-contempt-8b35498ddd96ccf1bc3ff772e6ef5106 https://apnews.com/article/boston-immigration-ice-municipal-court-due-process-f2d13626ffba28025a3e0314fa6ca908 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Damon Drake, Executive Director of We Resolve Minnesota, a participatory defense organization out of the twin cities. As is the case in our discussion about participatory defense, Damon joins the show to discuss the successes and challenges of trying to get Public Defenders onboard with the participatory defense. Guest Damon Drake, Executive Director, We Resolve Minnesota Resources: Learn more about We Resolve Here https://weresolve-mn.com/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Heather Rogers and Caitlin Becker of the Santa Cruz County Public Defenders. In 2020, the Sixth Amendment Center put together a report detailing the severe issues with how Santa Cruz County provided Public Defense. At the time, a law firm was working a flat rate fee contract to provide public defender services in the county. As is expected, that system was deeply flawed and couldn't meet the demands of the Sixth Amendment. Fast forward five years, Heather, Caitlin, and the team at the Santa Cruz County Public Defender has transformed the office into a comprehensive holistic defender program. How did that happen? What are the benefits of this model? All those questions and more on today's episode! Guest Heather Rogers, The Public Defender, Santa Cruz County, California Caitlin Becker, Director of Holistic Defense, Santa Cruz County, California Resources: Read the 6AC Report Here https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6AC_ca_santacruzcountyreport_2020.pdf Contact Santa Cruz County Public Defenders Here https://www.santacruzdefenders.us/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-rogers-3525b4242/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvUi9TWRyNIOvEwgHN87KA https://www.facebook.com/CruzDefenders# https://www.instagram.com/cruzdefender/ https://x.com/cruzdefender Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Guest Heather Rogers, The Public Defender, Santa Cruz County, California Caitlin Becker, Director of Holistic Defense, Santa Cruz County, California Resources: Read the 6AC Report Here https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6AC_ca_santacruzcountyreport_2020.pdf Contact Santa Cruz County Public Defenders Here https://www.santacruzdefenders.us/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-rogers-3525b4242/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvUi9TWRyNIOvEwgHN87KA https://www.facebook.com/CruzDefenders# https://www.instagram.com/cruzdefender/ https://x.com/cruzdefender Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with journalist Piper French about the wrongful conviction of Jimmie “Chris” Duncan. In 1998, Duncan was convicted of murdering his girlfriend's 23-month-old daughter. Originally, Duncan was charged with negligent homicide as it appeared his story, that he stepped away for a few minutes while the child took a bath and then she fell and drowned, was accurate. However, the notorious peddler of the junk science bite mark “evidence,” Dr. Michael West, conducted a dubious autopsy where he pressed a mould of Duncan's teeth into the body of the girl. With this dubious autopsy and the help of a jail house snitch, the state convicted Duncan of capital murder. Since then, Duncan has been fighting to prove his innocence, but with Governor Jeff Landry's drive to increase the number of executions in the Louisiana, Duncan might never get the chance. Guest Piper French, Part Time Staff Writer at Bolt Magazine, Freelance Journalist Resources: Read the Article Here https://boltsmag.org/the-human-cost-of-jeff-landrys-drive-to-resume-executions/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/louisiana-execution-bolts-chris-duncan-jeff-landry-death-row-capital-punishment/ Read more by Piper Here https://www.psfrench.com/ Contact Piper piperstrehlowfrench@gmail.com https://x.com/pipersfrench https://bsky.app/profile/psfrench.bsky.social Read more About Duncan's Case Here https://innocenceproject.org/petitions/stop-the-execution-of-an-innocent-man-jimmie-chris-duncan/ https://www.propublica.org/article/louisiana-jimmie-duncan-bite-mark-analysis-death-row-junk-science Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Heather Lewis a participatory defense organizer and the Executive Director of the Reuniting Family Bail Fund. Unlike many places where participatory defense hubs have been set up, Montgomery County Public Defenders welcomed participatory defense with open arms. Today, we will see the benefit of having an activated community when policy makers retaliate against public defenders. Guest Heather Lewis, Reuniting Family Bail Fund, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Resources: Reuniting Family Bail Fund Websites and Socials https://bailfundmontco.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@reunitingfamilybailfund https://www.instagram.com/familybailfund/ https://x.com/familybailfund https://www.facebook.com/reunitingfamilybailfund Coverage of Retaliation Against Montgomery County Public Defenders https://www.inquirer.com/news/montgomery-county-public-defenders-fired-lawsuit-keisha-hudson-dean-beer-20200318.html#:~:text=Fired%20public%20defenders%20sue%2C%20alleging%20Montgomery%20County%20retaliated%20for%20bail%20practice%20criticism. https://www.inquirer.com/news/montgomery-county-public-defenders-commissioners-protest-dean-beer-keisha-hudson-20200305.html https://theappeal.org/pennsylvania-public-defenders-not-reinstated-despite-public-outcry-over-firing/#:~:text=Montgomery%20County%20Chief%20Public%20Defender,Photo%20courtesy%20of%20ACLU%20Pennsylvania. https://www.aclupa.org/en/press-releases/aclu-pa-statement-response-dismissal-montgomery-county-chief-and-deputy-public Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Civil Rights lawyers Darold Killmer and Maddie Lips to discuss a tragic case. James Purdy, a 76 year old man with dementia and Parkinson's, was arrested after a women alleged he attempted to kidnap her. When he was arrested, Purdy incredibly frail condition was obvious and his family insisted he be kept on his essential medication. Unfortunately, the Jefferson Count Jail staff did not comply with this request. Over his multi-week pretrial incarceration, Purdy was recorded falling around 100 times, and ultimately, these falls left him with injuries that would lead to his death. Guest Darold Killmer, Partner, Killmer Lane Civil Rights Litigation, Denver, CO Maddie Lips, Associate, Killmer Lane Civil Rights Litigation, Denver, CO Resources: Contact Killmer Lane https://killmerlane.com/ Contact Darold and Maddie mlips@killmerlane.com dkillmer@killmerlane.com Read More About James Purdy's Case https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/family-of-man-with-dementia-files-federal-lawsuit-after-his-2023-death-in-jefferson-county-jail https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/9news-investigates-arrest-death-jim-purdy/73-091a289f-4dbe-47cb-99a6-10ba61a141b0 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Emmy Award winning documentarian and investigative journalist, Gianna Toboni to discuss her new book The Volunteer: The Failure of the Death Penalty and One Inmate's Quest to Die with Dignity. In this book, Gianna tells the story of Scott Dozier. He was on death row in Nevada for two separate homicide convictions, but despite him volunteering to be executed, forces both inside and outside of the prison prevented the state from executing him. Ultimately, Dozier took his own life after a few weeks on a mental health, solitary confinement hold. How did this all happen and what can we learn about the death penalty in America? All those questions and more in today's episode. Guest Gianna Toboni, Documentarian, Investigative Journalist, Author of The Volunteer Resources: Pick up a Copy of the Book Here https://www.simonandschuster.biz/search/books/Author-Gianna-Toboni/Category-Law/_/N-1z0v8eyZh3kZm2st/Ne-pgt?options[sort]=BOOK_ORDER%7C0%7C%7CTITLE%7C0 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-volunteer-gianna-toboni/1145681921 Follow Gianna On Socials https://bsky.app/profile/giannatoboni.bsky.social https://www.instagram.com/giannatoboni/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-toboni-970174272/ https://x.com/GiannaToboni?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Gianna's Work at Vice (Including Interview's with Dozier) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw613M86o5o6ig6LRdAL5W_w7w1k_UeQ5 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Criminal Defense Lawyer Blake Weiner about a wrongful conviction case he has been working on. Blake's client, Marcus Cooper was charged with rape and strangulation in two separate counties in Virginia. At the first trial, evidence came to light that the complaining witness was lying about pictures she provided to the Commonwealth that she claimed proved her accusations. This trial resulted in a mistrial, and ultimately the charges were dismissed. At the second trial, which featured the same witness and the same charges, the complaining witness once again provided fabricated evidence to try and convict Mr. Cooper. However, the judge in this case determined that Blake could not bring up these repeated instances of evidence fabrication, and as a result, Mr. Cooper was convicted. Blake helps us understand how a judge could stop a defense lawyer from challenging the credibility of a person who has demonstrated a willingness to lie about his client. Guest Blake Weiner, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Virginia Resources: Contact Blake https://blakeweinerlaw.com/ Read the Docs from the Case Here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uZd16LUpCFJwHVrR6eF4sPxs1D91406s?usp=sharing Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Kristen Rome the Executive Director of the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights. Last fall, Hunter spoke with another member of LCCR about the policies pursued by Governor Jeff Landry to make it easier for the state to criminalize young people. Sadly, today's episode is on the same topic. Up for a vote on March 29th, Louisiana's Amendment Three is a Constitutional Amendment that would give the legislature nearly unlimited power to get young people prosecuted in the adult legal system. Kristen joins the show to help explain what the amendment is, how it got on the ballot, and why people should vote no! Guest Kristen Rome, Executive Director, Louisiana Center for Children's Rights Resources: Find LCCR's Work Here https://lakidsrights.org/ https://www.facebook.com/lakidsrights https://x.com/LAKidsRights https://www.instagram.com/LAKidsRights Vote No On Three https://www.noon3la.org/ Laws Targeting Mostly Black Parishes https://apnews.com/article/juvenile-records-louisiana-e95896fcc0ca3e1a8d92409a345ad706 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with former Public Defender and current Criminal Defense Lawyer Amy Parker about a shocking wrongful conviction case. Normally, Public Defenders find themselves working in opposition of Child Protective Services workers. So when a former CPS worker reached out to Amy, admit that an innocent man was incarcerated, Amy knew there was a serious injustice happening. Through her work, she was able to exonerate Mr. Ezquiel Apolo-Albino and stop his deportation, but how did he end up wrongfully convicted for molesting his children? Based on Amy's tireless work, it appears we know the answer. Guest Amy Parker, Criminal Defense Lawyer and Former Public Defender, Washington Resources: Read the Full Motion for a New Trial Here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kv6yaxs9vInHBj5X4cBbLzWHOZR69Ucr?usp=drive_link National Register of Exonerees https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=5014 More on Mr. Apolo Albino https://www.law.uw.edu/news-events/news/2024/justice-for-the-wrongfully-convicted Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Nayna Gupta of the American Immigration Council. This conversation covers a recent slate of Trump Administration Immigration Policies that are a naked power grab by the President so he can detain and deport whoever he wants, whenever he wants, and however he wants without due process of law. Specifically, Nayna walks us through how the Alien Enemies Act, the designation of several cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and the new Immigration Registration requirement will work in concert to grant the President nearly limitless power to detain and deport people. Guest Nayna Gupta, Policy Director, American Immigration Council Resources: American Immigration Council Resources https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/ https://www.instagram.com/immcouncil/ https://x.com/immcouncil https://www.facebook.com/TheAmericanImmigrationCouncil/# ILRC Red Cards https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas Invocation of the Act https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/invocation-of-the-alien-enemies-act-regarding-the-invasion-of-the-united-states-by-tren-de-aragua/ Alien Enemies Act Explained https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/alien-enemies-act-explained https://www.justsecurity.org/109168/alien-enemies-act-litigation/ Judge Blocking the Act and Trump Ignoring the Order http://axios.com/2025/03/14/trump-alien-enemies-act-deportations https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-admin-ignores-judges-order-bring-deportation-planes/story?id=119857181 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/us/constitutional-crisis.htmlQ Foreign Terrorist Organization Designation https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/designating-cartels-and-other-organizations-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations-and-specially-designated-global-terrorists/ Registration Requirements https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Anna Ramirez Zarate and Lourdes Best of the San Mateo Chapter of Silicon Valley De-Bug. On today's episode, we will hear about how the community views the criminal legal system, the Private Defender Program in San Mateo, and how they felt about the harmful, racist emails sent by some members of PDP. Guest Ana Ramirez Zarate, Community and Participatory Defense Organizer, Silicon Valley De-Bug Lourdes Best, Community and Participatory Defense Organizer, Silicon Valley De-Bug Resources: SVDB Socials https://www.youtube.com/user/DeBugTV https://www.siliconvalleydebug.org/ https://www.instagram.com/sv_debug/?hl=en https://x.com/svdebug?lang=en Complaint with CRC https://civilrightscorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/San-Mateo-Petitioners-Additional-Brief7.2022.pdf Reports about PDP https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/private_defender_program.pdf https://www.smcgov.org/media/2466/download?inline= https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/balance_scale_of_justice.pdf https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harvey-M.-Rose-Associates-San-Mateo-County-Evaluation-Jan.-2022-2.pdf Emails About Silicon Valley De-Bug https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/09/23/after-san-mateo-court-complaint-civil-rights-group-is-profanely-assailed-in-secret-by-their-supposed-allies/ https://x.com/svdebug/status/1838380292765327581 *** Note on the Episode**** Following my conversation with Lisa and Harpreet flat rate fees in the PDP, Lisa informed me that the Office of the State Public Defender in California released Standards for Contract Panels. They discourage any flat fee compensation. As a result, Lisa will now be working with the county to move away from the flat rate fees towards an all-hourly compensation rate. New Standards Can be Found Here https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CA-Standards_ContractPanelDefense.pdf Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Lisa Maguire and Harpreet Samra of the San Mateo County Private Defender Program. Unlike the normal contract Public Defender model, the PDP operates as a managed assigned counsel system. As the Chief Defender, Lisa, manages a group of private contractors who handle the Public Defender needs of the county. This grants here significantly more oversight than in a traditional Private Defender System. Harpreet is the lead for the PDP's Social Worker program, and she ensures attorneys connect with Social Workers in their cases. From each of their areas of expertise, Lisa and Harpreet are working to correct the issues documented with PDP over the years. While their work has the PDP moving in a positive direction, the presence of flat rate fee compensation and the fall out from a series of insulting, racist emails sent by former PDP members leave Lisa and Harpreet with an ongoing battle to earn the trust back of the community they serve. Guest Lisa Maguire, Chief Defender, Private Defender Program, San Mateo County, CA Harpreet Samra, Social Worker Lead, Private Defender Program, San Mateo County, CA Resources: Contact Lisa and Harpreet lisam@smcba.org harpreets@smcba.org PDP Website https://www.smcgov.org/private-defender-program Past Reports on San Mateo https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/private_defender_program.pdf https://www.smcgov.org/media/2466/download?inline= https://sanmateo.courts.ca.gov/system/files/balance_scale_of_justice.pdf https://6ac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Harvey-M.-Rose-Associates-San-Mateo-County-Evaluation-Jan.-2022-2.pdf Emails About Silicon Valley De-Bug https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/09/23/after-san-mateo-court-complaint-civil-rights-group-is-profanely-assailed-in-secret-by-their-supposed-allies/ https://x.com/svdebug/status/1838380292765327581 *** Note on the Episode**** Following my conversation with Lisa and Harpreet flat rate fees in the PDP, Lisa informed me that the Office of the State Public Defender in California released Standards for Contract Panels. They discourage any flat fee compensation. As a result, Lisa will now be working with the county to move away from the flat rate fees towards an all-hourly compensation rate. New Standards Can be Found Here https://www.ospd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CA-Standards_ContractPanelDefense.pdf Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with two defense lawyers handling the USS Cole case out of Guantanamo Bay. Allison Miller and Katie Carmon are two of the defense counsel on the al-Nashiri, and last fall, they thought that after more than two decades of pre trial confinement, the cases would finally end when they entered into a plea negotiation with the government. Unfortunately, then Secretary of Defense Loyd Austin exercised undue and unlawful command influence by terminating the agreements. Now with a new administration, what is next for the never ending cases at Guantanamo Bay? Guest Allison Miller, Learned Counsel for Abdul Rahim al-Nashiri Katie Carmon, Supervising Defense Counsel for the al-Nashiri Team Resources: Coverage of the Plea Deals https://www.npr.org/2025/01/09/nx-s1-5252462/guantanamo-9-11-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-plea-deal https://apnews.com/article/guantanamo-plea-deal-911-austin-death-penalty-073c3455e27ecbfd0f7dd524ccffdef3 https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/court-rules-signed-plea-agreements-with-three-of-the-9-11-defendants-are-valid-and-must-go-into-effect https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/us/politics/911-case-plea-deals.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/appeals-court-plea-agreements-911-architect-khalid-sheikh-mohammed/ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/31/us-military-court-clears-way-for-possible-plea-deals-for-9-11 https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/Secreary-Austin's-Fateful-GTMO-Plea-Deals-Decision https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/28/us/politics/defense-secretary-plea-deals.html https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/defense-secretary-overrides-plea-agreement-for-9-11-defendants-reinstates-as-death-penalty-cases Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Travis Weiner the former Colorado Public Defender suing the State Public Defender for wrongful termination. As a Colorado Public Defender, Travis reached a point where he estimated he would need more than 4,000 hours to complete the cases assigned to him. At that point, Travis believed he had an ethical obligation to withdraw from a newly assigned case. Unfortunately, the Colorado State Public Defender did not support him. Instead, they fired him. Now he is suing the state for alleged retaliation. Guest Travis Weiner, Former Colorado State Public Defender and Current Public Defender, Taos, New Mexico Resources: Articles about Travis's Law Suit https://www.denverpost.com/2024/11/26/colorado-public-defender-retaliation-caseload-lawsuit-travis-weiner/ https://denvergazette.com/news/courts/colorado-public-defender-whistleblower-lawsuit/article_5dc51520-a908-11ef-8c41-9795a3756d99.html https://www.cpr.org/2024/11/26/former-colorado-public-defender-files-whistleblower-suit-high-caseload/ Read Travis's Motion, Compliant and My Complaint and Affidavit Here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oz0-_Yi6EMqoh7s6f2a7xdrW-_28L1dv?usp=sharing I have reached out for comment from OSPD in regards to Travis and my complaints. At this time, OSPD did not respond for comment. Last year, they sent me the following comment on Travis's complaint "On behalf of OSPD, thank you for the invitation and concern regarding public defense in Colorado. Rules governing confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and employee privacy prevent us from discussing individual cases, particular motions, or a defender's practice. We are committed to ensuring that our clients receive high quality representation and will continue to support the defenders who do that work." Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Professor Daniel Loehr to discuss his research on the Eugenics Origin of Habitual Offender Laws. While many people hear habitual offender laws and think of the three strikes laws from the tough on crime era of the 1990's, Daniel reveals that the history of these laws traces back to a much earlier and darker time in our nation's history. Daniel lays out how America's Eugenics movement wanted habitual offender laws to act as a way to stop certain populations from procreating, and what we as a society should do with these laws given their history. Guest Daniel Loehr, Professor of Law, City University of New York School of Law Resources: Contact Daniel daniel.loehr@law.cuny.edu https://www.law.cuny.edu/faculty/directory/daniel-loehr/ Daniel Files an Amicus Brief in Colorado https://law.yale.edu/yls-today/news/amicus-brief-offers-history-habitual-criminal-laws-and-their-origins Daniel's Article Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Amanda Jack and Kalle Condliffe of the New York Legal Aid Society about the fight to save Kalief's Law. This law, passed in 2020, aimed to create much needed reforms to evidence discovery in criminal trials. Naturally, prosecutors have hated new requirements for disclosure, and they have attempted to get the laws peeled back before they even went in place. Now with the help of Governor Hochul, prosecutors are once again trying to get these laws repealed so they can return to their preferred practice, trail by ambush. Guest Amanda Jack, Policy Director, Criminal Defense Practice, New York Legal Aid Society Kalle Condliffe, Supervising Attorney, New York Legal Aid Society Resources: Protect Kalief's Law Coalition https://protectkaliefslaw.com/ Email Amanda Amandajack@gmail.com Email Kalle kcondliffe@legal-aid.org Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Paul Chambers and James McDermott of the Far West Texas Public Defenders Office. This time, they joined to discuss how Paul discovered and James litigated a pattern and practice of discovery violations by the El Paso District Attorney's Office. Guest James McDermott, Chief Public Defender, Far West Texas Regional Public Defender Paul Chambers, Deputy Chief Public Defender, Far West Texas Regional Public Defender Resources: Far West Texas Public Defender in the News https://elpasomatters.org/2024/12/15/el-paso-district-attorney-prosecutorial-misconduct-ruling/ Read the Transcripts Here https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12B3vAOl2yedDdFPUEkAzrrovbHnUdayB?usp=sharing Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Alexandra Bailey and Cindy Nguyen to discuss Oklahoma's Failure to Protect Laws. A few years back, Alexandra joined the show to discuss theses laws, and as a reminder, these laws allow for victims of domestic violence, mostly women, to be sentenced to longer jail sentences for failing to protect their children from abuse than the men who commit the abuse. Today, Cindy and Alexandra join the show to discuss the fight to reform these laws. Guest Alexandra Bailey, Domestic Violence Survivor and Advocate Cindy Nguyen, Policy Director, Oklahoma ACLU Resources: SB 594: https://www3.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb594&Session=2500 https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/08/failure-to-protect-domestic-abuse-child-oklahoma-women-inequality-prison/ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/02/oklahoma-failure-to-protect-kerry-king-dave-rader/ Latest version of SB 594 (2/10/25) Taking out reductions for child abuse/neglect due to having to apply retroactivity for all of them Keeping reductions for FTP/enabling child abuse and neglect = 6 years Affirmative defense + retroactivity ACLU-OK Research/Stats for FTP: 1 in 4 women convicted of failure to protect received sentences longer than the man convicted of abusing the child. 93% of those convicted under failure to protect are women. Almost half of the women convicted under failure to protect were experiencing domestic violence. Key Stories: Tondalao Hall – 30-year sentence compared to the actual abuser receiving a 10-year suspended sentence. Robert Braxton Jr. abused two of her children and broken multiple bones. Released after 15 yrs, we have direct contact with her and she can help on storytelling for campaign. Elizabeth Crafton – 20 year sentence compared to the actual abuser receiving 11. Chris Good beat Crafton's 1 year old while she was away at work. Crafton took her baby to the hospital but was accused of enabling child abuse. Kerry Lalehparvaran – 30 year sentence compared to actual abuser receiving 18. Boyfriend beat daughter and Kerry put herself in between the spankings. ACLU of Oklahoma https://www.acluok.org/en Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Professor Justin Murray about his recent law review article, Prosecutorial Reform and the Myth of Individualized Enforcement. On several past episodes, Hunter has explored the field of Progressive Prosecution. As he has uncovered, much of the push back to these types of prosecutors is their decision not to prosecute certain types of crimes. Today, Justin is here to show how that critique does not comport with the history of prosecution, and he asks us to rethink how we understand how Progressive Prosecution should/does operate in our society. Guest Justin Murray, Professor of Law, New York Law School Resources: Justin's Faculty Page https://www.nyls.edu/faculty/justin-murray/ Law Review Article https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4932729 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Resgitser for the ABA Public Defense Summit Here https://events.americanbar.org/event/770bddad-346e-4f89-85f1-3e5b1d92b4ba/regProcessStep1
Today, Hunter spoke with Ann Block and Nithya Nathan-Pineau from the Immigrant Resource Legal Center to discuss the newest immigration related legislation, executive orders, and policies coming from the Trump administration. Starting with the Laken Riley act, Hunter, Ann, and Nithya walk through the ways in which the criminal and immigration legal systems are fusing together to target immigrants around the country. Guest Ann Block, Senior Staff Attorney, Immigrant Resource Legal Center Nithya Nathan-Pineau, Policy Attorney and Strategist, Immigrant Resource Legal Center Resources: Contact IRLC https://www.ilrc.org/ https://x.com/the_ilrc https://www.facebook.com/immigrantlegalresourcecenter https://www.linkedin.com/company/immigrant-legal-resource-center https://www.instagram.com/the_ilrc?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D https://www.tiktok.com/@the_ilrct=8mP0a8dAdtT&r=1 Laken Riley Act https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5 https://www.ilrc.org/resources/laken-riley-act-juvenile-delinquency https://apnews.com/article/what-is-laken-riley-act-trump-immigration-2667d626139ddf5a16d1533516eab18f https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Laken_Riley At Around 1Hour and 7 minutes, Hunter spoke about the motivations of Eric Adams to support Trump's immigration policy. At the time of the record, Eric Adams was still facing a criminal charge. As of Feb 10, the charges against Eric Adams were dropped. In the memo to drop the charges, DOJ officials brought up that the charges needed to be dropped so Eric Adams wouldn't be restricted in solving immigration in NYC. https://apnews.com/article/eric-adams-indictment-109ef48bd49bc8adc1850709c99bf666 https://www.reuters.com/legal/justice-department-seeks-dismissal-charges-against-new-york-mayor-ny-times-says-2025-02-10/ https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/justice-department-moves-drop-case-new-york-city/story?id=118672417 (Dismissal Letter Found Here) Original Charges https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/new-york-city-mayor-eric-adams-charged-bribery-and-campaign-finance-offenses People being Sent to GTMO https://www.cbsnews.com/news/guantanamo-bay-migrants-trump/ https://migrantinsider.com/p/air-jordan-tattoo-prompts-ice-to Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Professor Alexis Hoag-Fordjour about two of her most recent law review articles. In her first, she argues for a new way of thinking about how we evaluate claims of ineffective assistance of counsel. In her second article, she makes the case for why public defense should be universally applied. Guest Alexis Hoag-Fordjour, Professor of Law, Scholar in Residence, Co-Director Center for Criminal Justice, Brooklyn Law School Resources: Universal Public Defense https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5007431 Back to the Future: (Re)Constructing Ineffective Assistance of Counsel https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4772028 Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Resgitser for the ABA Public Defense Summit Here https://events.americanbar.org/event/770bddad-346e-4f89-85f1-3e5b1d92b4ba/regProcessStep1
Today, Hunter spoke once again with Nikki Baszynski of the Wren Collective to talk about the Criminal Legal System in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This time, they discussed an update about youth representation in the county, and they also did a deep dive into how the county jail is denying prisoners in person visits and recording their conversations with family. Guest Nikki Baszynski, Principal, Wren Collective Resources: Wren Collective Report https://www.wrencollective.org/_files/ugd/8fe8f0_72700fa56eda43d78203966a3fbff476.pdf Other Reporting on Cuyahoga County Jail Issues https://signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-county-jail-death-medical-care/ https://signalcleveland.org/how-cuyahoga-county-jail-video-visitation-works/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20county%20ended,only%20virtual%20options%20to%20visit. https://signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-county-has-no-plans-to-bring-back-in-person-visits-for-friends-and-family-at-the-jail/ https://signalcleveland.org/in-an-about-face-cuyahoga-county-is-now-considering-allowing-in-person-jail-visits/ Today, Hunter spoke once again with Nikki Baszynski of the Wren Collective to talk about the Criminal Legal System in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. This time, they discussed an update about youth representation in the county, and they also did a deep dive into how the county jail is denying prisoners in person visits and recording their conversations with family. Guest Nikki Baszynski, Principal, Wren Collective Resources: Wren Collective Report https://www.wrencollective.org/_files/ugd/8fe8f0_72700fa56eda43d78203966a3fbff476.pdf Other Reporting on Cuyahoga County Jail Issues https://signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-county-jail-death-medical-care/ https://signalcleveland.org/how-cuyahoga-county-jail-video-visitation-works/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20county%20ended,only%20virtual%20options%20to%20visit. https://signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-county-has-no-plans-to-bring-back-in-person-visits-for-friends-and-family-at-the-jail/ https://signalcleveland.org/in-an-about-face-cuyahoga-county-is-now-considering-allowing-in-person-jail-visits/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home Resgitser for the ABA Public Defense Summit Here https://events.americanbar.org/event/770bddad-346e-4f89-85f1-3e5b1d92b4ba/regProcessStep1
Today, Hunter spoke once again with Heather Cessna, the Executive Director of the Kansas Board of Indigents' Defense Services. This time, Hunter and Heather discuss how Kansas Public Defense could be close to collapsing due to a lack of lawyers and a legislature that has yet to properly address the issue. Guest Heather Cessna, Executive Director, Kansas Board of Indigents' Defense Services Resources: Contact KBDIS https://www.ksbids.gov/ Contact Heather hcessna@sbids.org Rural Justice Report https://kscourts.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/News/2024-News-Releases/December-2024/Rural-Justice-Initiative-Committee-releases-report#:~:text=In%20its%20report%2C%20the%20committee,attorneys%20for%20every%201%2C000%20residents. KBIDS Wellness Report https://www.ksbids.gov/initiatives Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke once again with Rob Poggenklass and Bryan Kennady from Justice Forward Virginia. Last year, Justice Forward Virginia joined the show to discuss the 2024 criminal justice policies being floated in Virginia. Today, Rob and Bryan are here to discuss what the 2025 legislative session has in store for criminal justice reform in Virginia. Guest Rob Poggenklass, Executive Director, Justice Forward Virginia Bryan Kennedy, Public Defender, Fairfax County, Treasurer, Justice Forward Virginia Resources: Justice Forward Virginia 2025 Legislative Priorities https://justiceforwardva.com/blog/2024/12/13/2025-virginia-general-assembly-legislative-priorities Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Kerrie Liang, a student at Princeton University, to discuss the wrongful conviction of Ivery Dorsey. Through her and classmates work at Princeton, Kerrie walks us through how the inconsistent eye witness testimony of one person ultimately led to the wrongful conviction of Ivery. Guest Kerrie Liang, Student, Princeton University Resources: More Resources about Ivery's Case https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpV9qkt7JHM https://www.instagram.com/bringiveryhome/reel/CsKxrNrOGgy/ https://makinganexoneree.org/2023 https://www.gofundme.com/f/wrongfully-convictedlegal-help-for-ivery-dorsey https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/ivery-dorsey-case-princeton-students/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Hans Meyer and Holly Lucas to discuss a variety of topics at the intersection of the criminal legal and immigration systems. With the Trump administration poised to implement a policy of mass deportation, Hans and Holly offer insights into how they have worked in court rooms and the Colorado State Legislature to guide Colorado to more humane immigration policies. Guest Holly Lucas, Public Defender, Colorado State Public Defender Hans Meyer, Criminal Defense and Immigration Lawyer, The Meyer Law Office Resources: Contact Hans https://themeyerlawoffice.com/ Laken Riley Act https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-statement-on-senate-advancing-laken-riley-act-to-final-vote What to do if ICE shows up https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EmployerGuide-NELP-NILC-2017-07-1.pdf https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Senior Reporter at The Appeal, Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg. A few weeks ago, Hunter was joined by Phil Wilayto of the Virginia Defender to talk about why prisoners of Virginia's Red Onion Prison were lighting themselves on fire. Today, Elizabeth joins to reveal how despite the public proclamations by DOC officials, prisoners were lighting themselves on fire all along. Guest Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, Senior Reporter, The Appeal Resources: Follow Elizabeth https://x.com/elizabethweill https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:dld6gvzefnncxuiaccy2u3qn Read about Red Onion Prison https://theappeal.org/red-onion-virginia-prison-self-immolated/ https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-12-06/ekong-eshiet-kevin-rashid-johnson-red-onion-vadoc-wise-county https://virginiamercury.com/2025/01/09/rally-continues-call-for-investigation-into-red-onion-state-prison-presses-for-prison-reforms/ https://www.vpm.org/news/2025-01-10/red-onion-prison-incarceration-wise-county-pound-death-mike-jones https://www.prisonradio.org/news-update/red-onion-state-prison-update/ https://theappeal.org/virginia-prison-response-red-onion-self-immolation/ https://theappeal.org/prisoners-intentionally-burned-themselves-red-onion-state-prison-virginia/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter spoke with Professor Brittany Freidman about her new book Carceral Apartheid. In this book, Professor Freidman tells the story of the California Prison System, the racist violence the system permits to exist, and how the prison system used all of us power to crush the political arm of the Black Guerilla Family. Through this conversation, Hunter and Professor Freidman hope to demonstrate what our system does and does not permit to continue. Guest Brittany Friedman, Professor of Sociology, University of Southern California Resources: Pick up a Copy of Brittany's Book https://uncpress.org/book/9781469683409/carceral-apartheid/ COINTELPRO https://vault.fbi.gov/cointel-pro https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/federal-bureau-investigation-fbi https://www.pbs.org/hueypnewton/actions/actions_cointelpro.html https://www.npr.org/2021/01/18/956741992/documentary-exposes-how-the-fbi-tried-to-destroy-mlk-with-wiretaps-blackmail https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/news/fbi https://www.brandeis.edu/writing-program/write-now/2018-2019/silverman-jacob/index.html https://ccrjustice.org/home/blog/2020/08/04/fbi-s-legacy-smearing-movements-terrorism-justify-suppression https://moguldom.com/448109/fact-check-before-malcolm-x-was-murdered-j-edgar-hoover-sent-message-do-something-about-malcolm-x/ https://www.upi.com/Archives/1969/07/16/J-Edgar-Hoover-Black-Panther-Greatest-Threat-to-US-Security/1571551977068/ https://onlineexhibits.library.yale.edu/s/black-panther-may-day/page/the-black-panthers-and-the-fb Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Scott Troxell to wrap up our conversation on Colorado Municipal Courts. This time, the conversation focuses on how Rifle Municipal Courts were giving people 6 Months sentences for thefts that the state only gave 10 day sentences. Guest Scott Troxell, Attorney, Glenwood Springs, Colorado Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Coverage of Municipal Courts in Rifle by Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2024/12/24/colorado-legislature-municipal-court-bills/ https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/22/colorado-municipal-courts-sentences-minor-crime/ ACLU Amicus Brief https://www.aclu-co.org/en/cases/mobley-v-city-rifle-amicus Rifle Changes Ordinance https://www.coloradopolitics.com/courts/colorado-supreme-court-dimisses-appeal-after-rifle-backs-down/article_1ff3e57e-9e04-11ee-9a8a-6b95521cebde.html Current Colorado Supreme Court Issues https://www.aclu-co.org/en/cases/camp-v-city-westminster-amicus https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/2024-11-07_aclu_cff_amicus_br.pdf Contact Scott scott@troxell-legal.com Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with longtime death penalty abolitionist activist Abraham Bonowitz. On previous episodes about death penalty abolition, the show has primarily focused on the successes and failures of the fight in the court room. Today however, Abe joins the show to discuss the types of media campaigns and coalition building that is necessary to fight and ultimately abolish the death penalty outside of the four corners of the court house. Guest Abraham Bonowitz, Executive Director, Death Penalty Action Resources: Death Penalty Action contact https://deathpenaltyaction.org/ https://www.facebook.com/deathpenaltyaction https://x.com/DeathPenaltyAct https://www.instagram.com/deathpenaltyaction/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMW5q-nvTO9XSm38BwgwJgw Melissa Lucio https://freemelissalucio.org/ https://www.amazon.com/State-Texas-Vs-Melissa-Special/dp/B08L3Q69NR https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/the-state-of-texas-vs.-melissa/1e71f675-ac8e-303c-a9fa-5dae467c02df https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/trial-judge-declares-melissa-lucio-to-be-actually-innocent-recommends-texas-cca-overturn-conviction-and-death-sentence https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/melissa-lucio-death-penalty-judge-overturn/ Commutations https://www.npr.org/2024/12/25/nx-s1-5237504/biden-gets-support-for-commuting-federal-death-row-sentences-for-37-of-40-prisoners https://www.newsweek.com/death-row-joe-biden-commute-dylann-roof-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-robert-bowers-2005007 https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/in-wake-of-president-bidens-federal-commutations-north-carolina-governor-cooper-grants-clemency-to-15-death-sentenced-prisoners-the-largest-grant-of-capital-clemency-in-state-history https://www.npr.org/2024/12/23/g-s1-38794/biden-death-row-commutations https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/two-prisoners-cant-legally-object-bidens-death-row-commutations-doj-ar-rcna186280 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/us/politics/biden-commutes-37-death-sentences.html Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Keri Williams to continue our coverage of Municipal Courts in Colorado. This time, they discussed how Pueblo Municipal Courts were giving people years in jail for contempt of court charges. Guest Keri Williams, Attorney, Pueblo, Colorado Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Coverage of Municipal Courts in Pueblo by Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2024/07/21/pueblo-municipal-contempt-of-court-charges-jail-time/ https://www.denverpost.com/2024/08/01/pueblo-municipal-court-workplace-investigation/ https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/11/pueblo-contempt-court-city-defends-investigation/ https://www.denverpost.com/2024/10/11/pueblo-judge-contempt-of-court-aclu-challenge/ https://www.denverpost.com/2024/12/10/pueblo-inmates-released-contempt-court-ruled-unconstitutional/ Contact Keri keri.williams@beckerlawgroup.net https://www.beckerlawgroup.net/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter sat down with Alison Gordon to continue our coverage of Municipal Courts in Colorado. This time, the discussion focuses on the extremely punitive Westminster Municipal Court. Guest Alison Gordon, Associate Attorney, McCabe Law Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Contact Alison Alison@mccabe-law.net https://www.mccabe-law.net/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Tristan Gorman and Rebecca Wallace are back this time to discuss municipal courts in Colorado. This episode is the first of our four-part series on municipal courts in Colorado. This episode gives a general overview of problems in this courts and then dives into the outright denial of counsel happening in Grand Junction's Municipal Court. Guest Tristan Gorman, Policy Director, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Rebecca Wallace, Policy Director, Colorado Freedom Fund Resources: 2017 ACLU Report on Colorado Municipal Courts https://www.aclu-co.org/sites/default/files/JUSTICE-DERAILED-web.pdf Coverage by the Denver Post https://www.denverpost.com/2024/10/17/grand-junction-municipal-court-public-defenders-right-to-counsel/ Coverage by Grand Junction Daily Sentinel https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/western_colorado/grand-junction-municipal-court-accused-of-constitutional-violations/article_abbff94a-8d8b-11ef-af0d-a3597da2fba4.html CFF Website https://www.coloradofreedomfund.org/ CCDB Website https://ccdb.org/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Tristan Gorman and Rebecca Wallace join the show to discuss the policies, ballot initiatives, and rhetoric from district attorneys that is pushing Colorado back in a “tough on crime” direction. Through their work with their respective organizations, Rebecca and Tristan are intimately familiar with the conversations that the state legislature engage in around crime and the criminal legal system. Guest Tristan Gorman, Policy Director, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Rebecca Wallace, Policy Director, Colorado Freedom Fund Resources: Colorado Freedom Fund Links https://www.coloradofreedomfund.org/ https://www.coloradofreedomfund.org/2024-legislation Colorado Criminal Defense Bar https://ccdb.org/ Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
A Bonus Episode for everyone! On Monday, I had a discussion/debate with Daniel Carr, a former cop from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, we discussed/debated the use of force in the SrA Roger Fortson, the Execution of Marcellus Williams, and the citation issued to a homeless, pregnant woman in Louisville Kentucky Guest Daniel Carr, Police Law Newsletter Resources: Links to Daniel's Work https://linktr.ee/policelawnews SrA Roger Fortson Case https://www.npr.org/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5088020/roger-fortson-death-florida-sheriff-deputy-charged-manslaughter https://apnews.com/article/airman-shot-florida-deputy-roger-fortson-760057db9fd9c7b2f25e85b1b285e8e3 Execution of Marcellus Williams https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-5612/326599/20240923222829451_2024.09.23%20Williams%20Glossip%20Cert%20Petition%20FINAL.pdf https://www.google.com/search?q=marcellus+williams+pettion&oq=marcellus+williams+pettion&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQABgKGIAEMgkIAhAAGAoYgATSAQg2MjkyajBqNKgCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 Pregnant KY Woman Cited for Unlawful Camping https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/us/kentucky-woman-pregnant-homeless-police.html#:~:text=A%20homeless%20woman%20said%20that,camera%20footage%20released%20on%20Thursday. https://www.wlky.com/article/body-cam-footage-lmpd-citing-pregnant-homeless-woman-labor/63251559 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/20/pregnant-kentucky-woman-labor Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Thank you to everyone who has made the show possible this year. Whether you are a listener, a subscriber, a guest, or a friend of the show, this show would not be possible without you! Thanks for another amazing year, and Hunter is looking forward to another incredible year in 2025. *NO EPISODES THIS THURSDAY OR NEXT TUESDAY* Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home
Today, Hunter is joined by professor Ráchael Powers to discuss Marsy's Law. For those unfamiliar, Marsy's Law is one of many types of Victim's Bill of Rights law that exist around the country. These laws are designed to give victims of crime more rights in the criminal legal system. The only problem? They often directly conflict with the rights of the accused. Today, Ráchael joins us to talk about a report she published for the NACDL about the dangers of Marsy's Law. Guests: Ráchael Powers Resources: Contact Ráchael https://researchdirectory.uc.edu/p/powersro https://x.com/rpowerscrim?lang=en Read the Report https://www.nacdl.org/Document/JusticeforNoneHowMarsysLawUnderminesCrimLegalSys Contact Hunter Parnell: Publicdefenseless@gmail.com Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com Subscribe to the Patron www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home