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  • The Lawyer Who Became the Case: Murder of Chiquita Tate
    2026/06/18

    In this episode, we revisit the tragic case of Chiquita Tate, a rising Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney whose life was violently taken inside her own law office. Chiquita was brilliant, ambitious, and building a name for herself in the courtroom when her final night at work became the center of a murder investigation.

    We walk through Chiquita’s life, the timeline of her last hours, the evidence found at the scene, and the courtroom battle that followed. From DNA and hair evidence to the missing wallet, blood evidence, possible staging, and the complicated personal history between Chiquita and her husband, Greg Harris, this case raises difficult questions about violence, control, justice, and legacy.

    This episode also includes a brief update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case, another heartbreaking story involving a young woman whose future was stolen.

    Key Topics

    • Chiquita Tate’s life, career, and rise as a criminal defense attorney
    • The timeline of her final night in Baton Rouge
    • The crime scene evidence, including DNA, hair, blood evidence, and the missing wallet
    • How the prosecution and defense interpreted the same evidence differently
    • The role of marriage, motive, life insurance, and possible separation plans
    • Greg Harris’s trial, manslaughter conviction, sentencing, and appeals
    • The lasting impact of workplace and intimate-partner violence
    • Chiquita’s legacy beyond the crime scene

    Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction and factual reporting note
    01:06 - A Baton Rouge law office becomes a crime scene
    02:04 - The murder of Chiquita Tate
    03:02 - Chiquita’s background, ambition, and legal career
    04:29 - Chiquita’s marriage to Greg Harris
    09:26 - February 19, 2009: dinner, work, and her final hours
    13:12 - Crime scene findings and early evidence
    15:59 - The suspect list and growing focus on Greg Harris
    17:31 - The discovery of Chiquita’s wallet
    19:37 - Evidence from Greg and Chiquita’s home
    22:17 - Possible motives: separation, control, and life insurance
    24:03 - A tip that redirected investigators
    26:41 - Sunglasses, DNA profiles, and forensic questions
    29:18 - Court proceedings and trial strategy
    36:16 - The verdict: manslaughter, not second-degree murder
    37:20 - Sentencing, appeals, and legal aftermath
    39:52 - Reflection on Chiquita’s life and legacy
    42:51 - Update and reflection on the Alexis Crawford case
    47:14 - Closing message and listener gratitude

    Resources Mentioned

    • DNA evidence and forensic interpretation
    • Louisiana second-degree murder and manslaughter law
    • Criminal appeals and post-conviction challenges
    • The Alexis Crawford case
    • Intimate-partner violence and workplace violence awareness

    Connect With the Host

    Follow and connect on social media for case updates, episode discussions, and behind-the-scenes content.

    Final Reflection

    The heart of this story is not only the evidence. It is Chiquita Tate herself: a first-generation college graduate, a determined attorney, and a woman whose future was still unfolding. Her legacy reminds us to honor the lives behind the headlines and to keep speaking about violence that too often begins behind familiar doors.

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    50 分
  • Latasha Harlins, Karmelo Anthony, and the Question of Black Childhood
    2026/06/11

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, the host reflects on Latasha Harlins’ life, death, and legacy while connecting her story to racial violence, community grief, policing, and justice in America. She also shares her firsthand experience attending the Karmelo Anthony trial and examines how Black youth are viewed in courtrooms, media, and public opinion.

    Key Topics

    • Latasha Harlins’ life, family, and tragic death
    • South Central LA in the 1980s and 1990s
    • Eula Mae Love, Rodney King, and LAPD violence
    • Black and Korean community tensions in South Central
    • The 1992 LA Uprising and its aftermath
    • The O.J. Simpson trial and distrust of the LAPD
    • Cyrus Carmack-Belton and ongoing racial violence
    • The Karmelo Anthony trial and courtroom experience
    • Race, accountability, grief, and Black childhood

    Timestamps

    00:00 - Witnessing the Karmelo Anthony trial
    00:23 - Latasha Harlins’ story
    03:06 - Latasha’s family and move to LA
    05:42 - Crystal Harlins’ death
    09:15 - Black grandmothers and survival
    11:07 - Latasha’s dreams
    13:14 - Black/Korean tensions in South Central
    14:19 - Eula Mae Love and LAPD violence
    17:15 - Rodney King
    21:34 - Latasha’s murder
    23:22 - Sentencing and outrage
    26:21 - 1992 LA Uprising
    29:32 - O.J. Simpson and the LAPD
    30:24 - Cyrus Carmack-Belton
    31:03 - Karmelo Anthony case
    36:04 - Jury composition
    37:09 - Verdict impact
    42:19 - Race, grief, and accountability
    46:01 - James Baldwin reflection

    Resources

    Latasha Harlins case, Rodney King beating, 1992 LA Uprising, O.J. Simpson trial, Cyrus Carmack-Belton case, Karmelo Anthony case, James Baldwin quote.

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    47 分
  • The Children Behind the Smiles : The Hart Family Murders
    2026/06/04

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking case of the Hart family murders—a tragedy that exposed serious failures within the child welfare system and challenged the carefully curated image of a family celebrated by many.

    What appeared to be a picture-perfect family on social media concealed years of abuse, neglect, and unanswered cries for help. Through court records, witness accounts, and investigative findings, we explore how warning signs were repeatedly overlooked and why the voices of six children were not heard until it was too late.

    This episode is not simply about how the Hart family died—it is about how six children lived, what they endured, and the futures they were denied.

    • The events leading up to the deaths of Jennifer and Sarah Hart and their six adopted children

    • Repeated reports of abuse and neglect that failed to result in meaningful intervention

    • The role social media played in shaping public perception of the family

    • Devonte Hart's viral image and the complex reality behind the photograph

    • The importance of recognizing and responding to children's disclosures

    • The dangers of "savior" narratives and performative activism

    • Race, adoption, and the challenges of transracial family dynamics

    • Systemic failures within child welfare and protective services

    • The final investigation and evidence supporting an intentional murder-suicide

    • The lives, personalities, and futures of the children at the center of this case

    Time Stamps :

    00:00 – Introduction to the Hart family case

    00:25 – A hungry child seeks help from neighbors

    00:55 – The family's disappearance and the discovery at the California cliffside

    01:50 – Public perception versus reality

    02:29 – Devonte Hart and the image that captivated the nation

    03:26 – The carefully constructed narrative surrounding the family

    04:07 – Social media, activism, and image management

    05:09 – How trauma was used to explain away concerns

    06:28 – Priscilla Celestine's efforts to keep her family together

    07:19 – Family separation and contradictions within the system

    08:16 – Investigations, reports, and missed opportunities

    09:12 – Adoption history and the creation of a public success story

    10:33 – When trauma became a shield against accountability

    11:58 – The 2010 abuse allegations and legal outcomes

    13:39 – Continued warning signs and institutional failures

    15:09 – Homeschooling, isolation, and limited oversight

    16:21 – Narrative control and public image management

    17:50 – A troubling family visit in Oregon

    20:18 – Hannah Hart's attempt to seek help

    22:06 – Devonte's repeated requests for food

    23:39 – Escalating concerns and failures to intervene

    26:33 – The crash investigation and evidence of intentional family annihilation

    28:30 – The final days: sedatives, control, and isolation

    30:48 – Recovery efforts and the search for Devonte

    32:00 – Examining years of systemic oversight failures

    34:45 – The dangers of rescue narratives and public perception

    37:09 – The futures each child deserved

    38:09 – The emotional impact of the case

    39:36 – Looking beyond appearances and curated images

    40:34 – Final reflections: How many warnings are too many?

    Topics Covered

    • Child Welfare and Protective Services Resources

    • Information on Trauma and Child Abuse Recognition

    • Research on Transracial Adoption and Child Advocacy

    • Historical Context Behind Devonte Hart's Viral Photograph


    Follow the show for updates, bonus content, and behind-the-scenes discussions:

    Instagram: @murderintheblackpodcast

    Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your favorite podcast platform.

    In Memory of Hannah, Markis, Abigail, Jeremiah, Sierra, and Devonte Hart.

    Their story reminds us that a carefully crafted image can hide painful realities. Most importantly, it reminds us that children deserve to be heard, believed, and protected.


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    46 分
  • Keeshae Jacobs: The Silence Toni Knew Was Wrong
    2026/05/28

    In this episode, we revisit the disappearance of Keeshae Jacobs, a 21-year-old woman from Richmond, Virginia, whose mother, Toni Jacobs, knew from the beginning that something was wrong.

    Keeshae’s case is not just about one missing person investigation. It is about family intuition, delayed urgency, forensic evidence, unanswered questions, and the pain of a mother forced to keep fighting through unimaginable grief. Toni searched for Keeshae while later having to bury her son, DaeVon, and even after a major break in the case, the justice her family deserved still feels incomplete.

    We walk through Keeshae’s life, the day she disappeared, the early police response, the evidence connected to Otis Tucker, his later conviction for the murder of Ashley Fowler in Florida, and the 2024 confession that brought answers without full accountability.

    This episode also looks at the larger issue of missing Black women and the families who are too often left to advocate, investigate, and demand urgency on their own.

    Key Topics

    • Keeshae Jacobs’ life, family, and close bond with her mother, Toni
    • Why Toni knew Keeshae’s silence was not normal
    • The early police response and misconceptions around missing adults
    • The role of family intuition in missing person cases
    • Otis Tucker’s changing timeline and history of violence
    • Forensic evidence recovered from Tucker’s residence
    • The emotional impact of DaeVon Jacobs’ murder on Toni and her family
    • How misinformation, rumors, and scams affect missing families
    • Media disparities in coverage of missing Black women
    • Tucker’s later murder conviction in Florida for Ashley Fowler’s death
    • The 2024 confession, immunity agreement, and why charges were not filed
    • The difference between answers, closure, and justice
    • What Keeshae’s case reveals about urgency, accountability, and advocacy

    00:23 - Why Keeshae’s story is being revisited
    03:00 - Keeshae’s life, family, and bond with Toni
    08:12 - The night Keeshae was last seen
    11:21 - Toni’s search and the early police response
    14:40 - Keeshae’s last known location and Otis Tucker’s timeline
    17:31 - Forensic evidence and Tucker’s violent history
    19:54 - Delays, missed urgency, and systemic challenges
    22:11 - Foul play suspected and barriers to prosecution
    25:55 - DaeVon Jacobs’ death and Toni’s compounded grief
    28:38 - Rumors, media coverage, and advocacy for missing Black women
    29:57 - Tucker’s Florida conviction and Ashley Fowler’s murder
    30:56 - The immunity agreement and 2024 confession
    35:24 - Why charges were not filed
    36:24 - Toni’s fight, grief, and the meaning of justice
    38:21 - Reflection, listener takeaway, and closing CTA

    Resources & Links

    • Black and Missing Foundation
    • NCIC Missing Persons Statistics
    • Richmond Police Department
    • CBS 6/WTVR reporting on Keeshae Jacobs
    • Coverage on Otis Tucker and Ashley Fowler’s case

    • Closing Note
      Keeshae Jacobs was loved, known, and missed from the very beginning. Her story is a reminder to listen when families say something is wrong, to share missing person cases with care, and to keep pressure on the systems responsible for responding with urgency.

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    41 分
  • Natise Johnson and Oliver Wendell Munson: The Cost of Doing the Right Thing
    2026/05/21

    A 21-year-old pregnant woman is murdered inside her father’s Philadelphia home just days before giving birth. A Maryland teacher disappears three days before he is set to testify in court. In this episode of Murder in the Black, we discuss the murder of Natise Johnson and the unsolved disappearance of Oliver Wendell Munson, two cases connected by haunting questions about loyalty, vulnerability, and what it can cost to do the right thing.

    Natise’s case is a devastating story of obsession, control, and retaliation. Oliver’s disappearance remains one of those deeply unsettling unsolved cases where the timing alone makes it impossible to ignore what may have happened.

    This episode contains discussions of murder, gun violence, abuse, witness vulnerability, and the death of an unborn child.

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    40 分
  • The House in Crescentville
    2026/05/14

    In 2003, a Philadelphia neighborhood was shaken by the murders of Patricia, Nikki, and James inside their own home. What investigators found at the scene — an untouched slice of pizza, an extra Coke can, and victims covered after death — pointed toward something more personal and psychologically unsettling than a random act of violence.

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, Steph examines the investigation, the behavioral clues uncovered inside the home, and how the case ultimately shifted toward Sean Brown. The episode also explores the role of community observations, family persistence, and evolving forensic evidence in solving violent crimes.

    Later, Steph discusses ongoing updates in the cases of Vontisha “Sway” Williams and Celeste Hernandez, reflecting on how digital evidence and modern investigative techniques continue reshaping true crime investigations today.

    Topics Covered

    • The murders of Patricia, Nikki, and James
    • Crime scene behavioral analysis
    • The significance of the extra Coke can and covered victims
    • Sean Brown’s arrest and confession
    • Community involvement and investigative breakthroughs
    • Patterns of escalation and warning signs in violent offenders
    • Updates on Vontisha Williams and Celeste Hernandez

    Timestamps

    (00:00) — The Philadelphia triple homicide
    (05:11) — The crime scene details investigators focused on
    (11:24) — Early theories and suspect developments
    (17:34) — Fingerprint evidence and Sean Brown
    (24:31) — Violence disrupting ordinary life
    (28:22) — Updates on Vontisha Williams and Celeste Hernandez
    (38:33) — Final reflections + What I Didn’t See

    Resources & Further Reading

    • Philadelphia homicide investigation archives
    • Public court records related to Sean Brown
    • Community memorial pages for Vontisha “Sway” Williams
    • Ongoing public updates surrounding the Celeste Hernandez investigation

    Connect With Murder in the Black

    • YouTube: Murder in the Black
    • TikTok & Instagram: @MurderintheBlack
    • Substack: Murder in the Black
    • Email:murderintheblackpodcast36@gmail.com
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    41 分
  • What I Didn’t See, Episode 1: The Life I Thought I Had
    2026/05/10

    Christina believed she understood exactly who she was and the kind of life she was building. But as wedding plans move forward, a quiet conversation and an unexpected new presence begin to disturb the certainty she has spent years protecting.

    In this first episode of What I Didn’t See, Christina introduces the world she thought was stable, the man she believed made sense of it, and the first subtle crack in the life she thought she wanted.

    What I Didn’t See is a psychological thriller about love, denial, self-deception, and the truths that begin circling us long before we are ready to name them.

    In this episode:

    • Christina reflects on the life she thought she was building
    • Samson appears as the kind of man who fits the future she has always imagined
    • James enters the story as a quiet but unsettling new presence
    • A simple evening begins to expose the difference between safety and certainty

    To hear the next chapter, subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for premium episodes, bonus material, and Christina’s private journal entries.

    Start now with 3-day free access.

    Episode 1 & 2 AVAILABLE NOW

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    10 分
  • A Lie Borrowed In Someone Else Name : Murder of Anna Mae Florence
    2026/05/07

    In this episode of Murder in the Black, we examine the heartbreaking 1987 murder of Anna Mae Florence—a case that remained unsolved for decades before modern forensic technology finally uncovered the truth. What began as a brutal attack investigation evolved into a complex story involving unreliable witnesses, false identities, overlooked evidence, and the persistence of investigators who refused to let the case disappear.

    This case highlights how one piece of evidence—a bloody handprint—ultimately became the key to solving a murder 25 years later.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 – Introduction: a case where the truth remained buried for decades
    00:28 – The attack on Anna Mae Florence and the initial police response
    01:11 – Anna Mae’s life and background in Columbus, Ohio
    02:13 – The violent attack: 14 stab wounds and her final moments
    03:32 – Crime scene analysis and evidence of a struggle
    04:54 – Discovery of the blood-stained purse and bloody handprint
    05:45 – Fingerprint analysis limitations in 1987
    06:32 – Witness descriptions and the original suspect sketch
    07:48 – Investigators explore theories of robbery and overkill
    08:58 – Reports of a frantic woman asking strangers for help
    09:54 – Early suspects, including a teenage girl and local residents
    11:25 – The tip involving Odell and emerging inconsistencies
    12:45 – Odell’s changing stories and sudden disappearance
    13:41 – Investigators examine Danita’s alibi and hospital records
    14:28 – Discrepancies in records and evidence of deception
    15:26 – The plan to use a wire in hopes of gathering more information
    16:17 – A major setback when fingerprint evidence fails to match the suspect
    17:42 – The case goes cold in 1988 while Anna Mae’s family continues searching for answers
    20:01 – The 2012 cold case revival and renewed forensic testing
    20:59 – Reinvestigating suspects through modern DNA and fingerprint analysis
    26:34 – The shocking identification of Zina Roberson
    29:34 – Zina’s arrest, background, and confession
    31:09 – Why the bloody handprint became the defining piece of evidence
    33:02 – Reflections on trust, vulnerability, and the exploitation of kindness
    34:43 – The lasting impact of Anna Mae Florence’s case
    35:07 – Closing thoughts, community discussions, and upcoming Murder in the Black projects


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    38 分