In this episode, Maya and Darren uncover the story of 17-year-old Marcus Johnson, whose wrongful conviction in 1976 hinged on a confession tape that sat forgotten in an evidence locker for decades. When a court clerk discovered the reel-to-reel recording in 2023, it revealed the troubling interrogation techniques that led to a teenager spending 12 years behind bars for a crime he didn't commit.

About the Show

Recorded Truth: Stories of Injustice Preserved on Tape is a bi-weekly investigative podcast that uncovers forgotten audio recordings that reveal miscarriages of justice, police misconduct, and systemic failures in the American legal system. Each episode examines a different case where audio evidence has been crucial in understanding—or sometimes overturning—wrongful convictions.

Meet Your Hosts

Maya Patel

A former public defender turned investigative journalist with 12 years of experience in the criminal justice system. Maya brings her legal expertise to break down complex concepts while approaching each case with analytical precision and unwavering compassion.

Darren Washington

A sound engineer and audio archivist with 15 years of experience working with historical recordings for a major museum. Darren's technical expertise helps authenticate and analyze the audio evidence central to each episode, bringing both technical insight and historical context.