Unrestorable

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In September 2014, 3-year-old Sarah and 2-year-old Jacob were last seen in the care of their mother, Catherine Hoggle, in Maryland. Sarah and Jacob have never been found. After disappearing for several days, Catherine was arrested and ultimately charged with the children’s murder. Catherine was declared not competent to stand trial shortly after and has been committed to a psychiatric facility until her competency can be restored. But plenty of people - including some of Catherine’s own family members - have suggested she’s faking incompetence, convinced it’s her path out of prison. Sarah and Jacob’s dad, Troy, and his wife, Stephanie, continue to search for the kids, desperate for both answers and justice. And now, the clock is ticking. Maryland law requires dismissal of murder charges against a defendant found incompetent to stand trial after the expiration of five years. This means that Catherine could be on the verge of release. Troy, Stephanie and their lawyer, Matt—along with police and prosecutors—are racing to stop that from happening. In addition to a compelling and tragic personal narrative, this case raises broader issues about mental health and the justice system and the unintended consequences of well-intentioned laws. Journalists Sarah Treleaven and Beth Karas examine a father’s quest for justice and one key question that overshadows this case: Can you really fake being incompetent and get away with murder?

iHeartPodcasts


    • Jun 12, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 10 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS

    Ivy Insights

    The Unrestorable podcast is a riveting and thought-provoking series that delves into the complex issues surrounding mental illness and the justice system. The podcast tells the heartbreaking story of Catherine Hoggle, a mother who disappeared with her two young children and was later found to be suffering from severe mental illness. The podcast explores the struggles faced by both Catherine's family and the justice system as they grapple with questions of accountability, competency, and justice.

    One of the best aspects of The Unrestorable podcast is its ability to draw listeners in and keep them engaged throughout each episode. The storytelling is captivating, and the host does an excellent job of presenting the facts while also providing insight into the emotional impact on those involved. The interviews with family members, experts, and professionals add depth to the narrative and shed light on the complexities of mental illness and its intersection with the legal system.

    Additionally, The Unrestorable podcast does a commendable job of raising important questions about how society treats individuals with mental illness. It challenges listeners to consider whether there should be consequences for actions committed by individuals who are not mentally competent at the time. The podcast navigates this sensitive topic with empathy and respect for all parties involved.

    On the other hand, one aspect that some listeners may find frustrating is the frequent advertisements throughout each episode. While ads are common in podcasts, their frequency can sometimes disrupt the flow of storytelling or become repetitive. However, this is a minor issue that can be easily overlooked given the overall quality of content presented in each episode.

    In conclusion, The Unrestorable podcast is a powerful exploration of mental illness within our justice system. Through its compelling storytelling and thoughtful analysis, it sheds light on important questions surrounding accountability and competency. Despite some minor drawbacks such as frequent advertisements, this podcast is well worth listening to for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of mental health within our legal framework.



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    Latest episodes from Unrestorable

    Introducing: The Idaho Massacre Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 1:19 Transcription Available


    Hi, Unrestorable listeners! iHeartPodcasts has geared up for a riveting new season of The Idaho Massacre hosted by Courtney Armstrong, Stephanie Lydecker, and Jeff Shane! On November 13, 2022, four students from the University of Idaho were brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus house. After a lengthy investigation and cross-country manhunt, a Ph.D. student from a neighboring university is charged with the crimes. As it turns out, the 28-year-old was majoring in criminology, studying the behavior of killers like the ones he would later be accused of becoming. Did he use his skills to become a real-life Dexter? Tune in to this top-tier true crime story, but don't just take our word for it, check out the trailer to decide for yourself!   Show Description: On November 13, 2022, four students from the University of Idaho are brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus house. After a lengthy investigation and cross-country manhunt, a Ph.D. student from a neighboring university is charged with the crimes. As it turns out, the 28-year-old was majoring in criminology, studying the behavior of killers like the ones he would later be accused of becoming. Did he use his skills to become a real-life Dexter? Were the Idaho victims his first, or was a serial killer hiding in the midst? The producers of The Piketon Massacre explore all sides of the shocking crime in pursuit of the truth.       Listen to The Idaho Massacre on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 8 – Justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 28:21 Transcription Available


    Troy ponders his next moves as he searches for broader accountability for the loss of his two children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 7 – Lost

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 30:07 Transcription Available


    While Catherine's case remains mired at the intersection of the criminal justice and mental health systems, one overarching question remains: What happened to Sarah and Jacob?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 6 – The Decision

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 22:47 Transcription Available


    The judge prepares to rule in Catherine's competency hearing. Will Troy finally get the justice he's been seeking for almost a decade?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    decision will troy
    Episode 5 – The Ticking Clock

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 25:32 Transcription Available


    After years of advocacy by Troy, a judge finally decides to hear testimony from sworn witnesses about Catherine's competency, and may even question Catherine directly. But as the clock counts down to the mandatory dismissal of charges, is it too little too late?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 4 – Faking It?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 33:40 Transcription Available


    Catherine is treated in a state-run psychiatric hospital after being found incompetent to stand trial. But Troy and others raise questions about whether she's faking it to avoid accountability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 3 – Incompetent

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 22:53 Transcription Available


    Catherine is charged with the disappearance of her children, but a judge finds she is incompetent to stand trial. What does this mean for Troy's search for his kids and pursuit of justice?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 2 – Missing

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 26:16 Transcription Available


    When Troy realizes his youngest children are missing, can he depend on their mother to help him find them?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 1 – Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 30:19 Transcription Available


    A mentally ill mother. A family in crisis. And a father's worst nightmare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: Unrestorable

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 2:45 Transcription Available


    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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