In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the devastating loss of LoLetha Hall — a woman simply doing her job who became entangled in a deadly situation fueled by fear, misinformation, and an AI-driven scam.

As technology evolves, so do the dangers surrounding it. Steph and Maia unpack how impersonation scams are changing the landscape of crime, the legal complexities of self-defense in Ohio, and the difficult questions surrounding “reasonable fear,” implicit bias, and accountability.

This conversation goes beyond one case. It asks how we protect our communities, our elders, and ourselves in a world where voices can be fabricated — and fear can be engineered.

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🔎 Key Topics Covered

• The rise of AI-powered scam calls and impersonation tactics

• How vulnerable populations — especially seniors — are targeted

• The timeline leading to the fatal encounter between LoLetha Hall and William Brock

• Ohio self-defense law and the question of proportional force

• The difference between genuine fear and legally “reasonable” fear

• How implicit bias can shape perceptions of danger

• Public awareness, digital literacy, and family safety planning

• Practical strategies for preventing scam-related harm

  • AI Impersonation Scam Resources

    
    

Time Stamps

00:00 — Why this case highlights the dangers of AI scams
00:29 — Who LoLetha Hall and William Brock were
01:48 — Inside the scam: impersonation and escalation
02:38 — The confrontation and fatal shooting
03:51 — Dashcam footage and police response
04:21 — Fear, perception, and Brock’s mindset
08:38 — AI’s growing role in modern scams
09:07 — Elder vulnerability and education gaps
11:37 — Breaking down Ohio self-defense law
16:24 — Fear, bias, and legal interpretation
19:07 — The impact on LoLetha’s family
20:50 — Community responsibility and awareness
23:18 — Practical scam-prevention tools
25:03 — Final reflections on bias, fear, and accountability

• Understanding Deepfake Technology

• Scam Awareness Tips (AARP)

• Ohio Self-Defense Law Overview

• Social Media & Digital Safety Tips

• Resources & Education

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When Jermaine Ross stopped answering his phone and missed his barber appointments, concern quickly turned into something far more disturbing. On October 3, 2018, Jermaine was found dead inside his home on Elm Street in Cahokia, Illinois. At first, investigators believed his death may have been natural. But forensic findings, an autopsy, and unsettling details inside the home revealed the truth—Jermaine Ross had been murdered.

In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the homicide investigation from the inside out: the timeline shaped by decomposition evidence, rumors surrounding a recent insurance payout, shifting witness statements, and the chilling attempt to alter the crime scene after Jermaine’s death. As investigators worked to separate fact from fear in a close-knit community, the case exposed how desperation, access, and money can turn trust into a fatal vulnerability.

This is the story of a man known as “the people’s barber”—and how the people closest to him became central to solving his murder.

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In this episode of Murder in the Black, we unpack the heartbreaking story of Kim Groves—a Black woman, community advocate, and mother whose decision to report police misconduct in 1994 set off a chain of events that would change everything.

What began as one woman speaking up against abuse of power quickly revealed something much bigger: a deeply corrupted system inside the New Orleans Police Department, and a city already battling violence, fear, and broken trust.

Kim’s story forces us to confront the cost of courage, the danger Black communities face when they challenge authority, and the uncomfortable truth that corruption doesn’t always look like a stranger—it can wear a badge.

• The violent reality of New Orleans in the 1990s and the systemic failures that shaped it

• Corruption inside the NOPD, including the actions of Officer Len Davis

• Kim Groves’ courage—and what happens when a Black woman refuses to stay silent

• The long history of mistrust between Black communities and law enforcement in America

• How race, power, and internal systems of oppression complicate “protection” and “justice”

• The investigation, cooperation deals, and what accountability looks like in a corrupt system

• Why police reform is still an urgent conversation—and why stories like Kim’s must be remembered

Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction + case overview
00:35 — New Orleans in the 1990s: context + tension
01:02 — Crime statistics + community impact
02:24 — Len Davis + Kim Groves background
03:42 — Misconduct culture inside the NOPD
05:59 — Operation Shattered Shield begins
08:11 — Kim files a misconduct complaint
09:33 — The danger of speaking out
11:05 — The legacy of racial oppression + policing
13:09 — Kim Groves’ murder + surveillance footage
14:57 — Trial tactics: discrediting the victim
16:37 — Witness testimony + plea deals
20:03 — Victim-blaming + “perfect victim” expectations
21:41 — Sentencing + why plea agreements matter
24:50 — Len Davis’ death + the lasting damage
25:45 — Corruption and community trauma
27:08 — Remembering Kim’s humanity
28:20 — Corruption involving Black officers
30:05 — Accountability: personal + systemic
31:26 — Closing reflection: race, policing, reform

Resources & Links

• FBI: Operation Shattered Shield

• Kim Groves case coverage + justice reporting

  
  

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