Behind The Verdict
Welcome to Behind the Verdict, a gripping podcast that takes you behind the scenes of high-profile criminal cases, delving deep into the investigation, prosecution, and ultimately, the pursuit of justice. Each episode takes you through the untold stories, overlooked details, and shocking revelations that often get lost in the headlines. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning at 6am ET!Meet the Hosts:Myrene Koch - a seasoned Prosecuting Attorney with nearly 25 years of experience in criminal prosecution. She gained national attention as the lead prosecutor in the high-profile Dennis Bowman case, a 30-year-old cold case homicide featured in the Netflix...
Episodes
The Temujin Kensu Case
A 1986 parking-lot murder leads to life in prison for Temujin Kensu. Prosecutors say he was a jealous ex who threatened the victim and could have secretly flown 400 miles to kill him. Supporters argue the case relied on a biased photo lineu…
The Thabo Bester Case
We dive into the jaw-dropping saga of Thabo Bester, a convicted criminal who faked his own death in prison, and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, the celebrity doctor allegedly entwined in his escape plan. Was Magudumana the mastermind helping him s…
The Tony Earls Jr. Case
We unpack the tragic and controversial case of Tony Earls Jr., who was recently convicted of manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of 9-year-old Arlene Alvarez. we discuss the sentencing, the impact on Arlene’s family, and the broader que…
The Chappaquiddick Incident
In 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy’s car plunged off a bridge, killing 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne. What really happened that night on Chappaquiddick Island — and how did power and privilege shape the outcome?
America’s School Shooting Crisis
Schools should be safe havens—but in America, they’ve become the scene of unthinkable violence. In this episode of Behind the Verdict, we examine the rise of school shootings, the devastating impact on students and families, and the hard qu…
The Annunciation School Shooting
A sanctuary shattered. In this episode of Behind the Verdict, we break down the Annunciation School shooting in Minnesota—who the victims were, what drove the gunman, and whether this tragedy could have been prevented.
The Markel–Adelson Murder
A bitter custody battle turned deadly. In this episode of Behind the Verdict, we uncover how prosecutors say Donna Adelson and her family plotted the murder of FSU law professor Dan Markel—and the shocking trail of evidence that unraveled t…
The Murdaugh Murders
The Murdaugh murders shook South Carolina’s Lowcountry—an influential family, a double homicide, and a tangled web of power, corruption, and crime. When Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found murdered on their family estate in 2021, suspicion …
The Idaho College Murders pt. 3
We plunge into the chilling aftermath of the sentencing, uncovering the haunting details that surfaced in its wake. We’ll explore the intriguing theories swirling around the murders and take a closer look at the formidable challenges the ki…
The Epstein Files pt. 2
We explore intriguing theories surrounding Epstein's mysterious death. Who might be pulling the strings behind the scenes? How involved could Donald Trump be? And what about the possibility that Epstein had connections to the CIA?
The Epstein Files pt. 1
Jeffrey Epstein was a billionaire financier with no clear source of wealth, a private island, a jet nicknamed the "Lolita Express," and a network of connections reaching the highest levels of politics, business, and royalty. But behind the …
The Idaho College Murders pt. 2
We break down the timeline of events, the forensic evidence that led to Kohberger’s arrest, and the controversial plea deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty. Why did he do it? Why were two roommates spared? And was justice truly …
The Idaho College Murders pt. 1
On a quiet November morning in 2022, four University of Idaho students were found brutally murdered in their off-campus home—no signs of forced entry, no cries for help, and two roommates left unharmed. The shocking crime gripped the nation…
The Sandra Birchmore Case
When 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment, police ruled it a suicide. But behind the scenes was a disturbing truth — Sandra had been groomed by a Stoughton police officer since she was 15. She was pregnant, and he di…
The January 6th Insurrection
The events of January 6th sent shockwaves through our democracy, challenging one of its fundamental principles: the peaceful transfer of power. But what fueled this extraordinary insurrection, and why have those who incited it largely evade…
Project Ajax and the Destruction of Iran's Democracy
Project Ajax led to the coup that put Iran on a path to form the country it is today. What happened in 1953, and why were the United States and Great Britain involved?
The George Floyd Case
The George Floyd case centers around the tragic events of May 25, 2020, when George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while being apprehended by police officers. The incident, which began after Floyd…
How Media Distorts Public Understanding of the Law
One of Myrene's biggest issues with the media is how influential it can be in shaping people's opinions about the law. In this episode, she shares stories that highlight why that becomes an issue in real life and tests Cristina and Jon as i…
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Crisis
We dig into the staggering statistics that illuminate the tragic and devastating crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. We shine a light on the heart-wrenching stories behind the numbers, revealing the profound impact on families …
Gabby Petito Case
We dive deep into the tragic Gabby Petito case. We explore pivotal moments where law enforcement interventions might have changed the outcome, delve into intriguing theories surrounding her mysterious death, and even ponder the unsettling q…
Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs Case pt. 1
We dig into details of the Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs case, and Myrene provides perspective on Sean Combs's charges and her opinion of the eventual outcome.
Karen Read Case pt. 3
We return to the Karen Read Case again and bring on a guest to help us comb through the details. We also discuss if any opinions on Karen's innocence or guilt have shifted now that the second trial is well underway. Myrene also gives us an …
Casey Anthony Case pt. 2
We discuss the defenses arguments and how they influenced the jury to not charge Casey Anthony in her daughters murder. We also highlight Child Abuse Awareness month and what to do if a child you know is being abused.
Casey Anthony Case pt. 1
We give an overview of the Casey Anthony Case and discuss details that make it seem impossible that she wasn’t convicted of child abuse and murder.
Karen Read Case pt. 2
For the first time, Jon and Myrene find themselves on opposite sides of a case, and the tension is palpable. As they prepare to present their arguments, Jon firmly believes that Karen is innocent, while Myrene is equally convinced of her gu…
Karen Read Case pt. 1
We give and overview of the Karen Read Case, and for the first time, Jon and Myrene are not on the same side.
Nicole Brown Simpson Case pt. 3
We discuss details of the crime scene, the infamous car chase, and specifics regarding how the defense used the prosecution's and law enforcement's missteps to OJ’s advantage.
Nicole Brown Simpson Case pt. 2
We discuss the history of turbulence that led to Nicole's death, details about how the murder likely happened, and how the defense was able to convince the jury that OJ was innocent.
Nicole Brown Simpson Case pt. 1
We give an overview of the Nicole Brown Simpson/OJ Simpson case and discuss some of the details that have had Myrene worked up about this case since her college days.
JonBenét Ramsey Case pt. 2
In this episode, we explore startling statistics, theories related to the case, and the JonBenet cases connection to another famous case.
JonBenét Ramsey Case pt. 1
We give an overview of the JonBenét case, and talk about some of the most puzzling details of this unsolved murder.
Laci Peterson Case pt. 2
We discuss the evidence that actually got Scott Peterson sent to prison, a few theories regarding what actually happened to Laci, and why the Innocence Project is working to get Scott's conviction overturned.
Laci Peterson Case pt. 1
We give an overview of the case, including background about the couple, and what drove Scott to kill his wife and unborn son.
Brandon Mitchner Case pt. 2
In this episode we continue the discussion about the unsolved death of Brandon Mitchner. Myrene tells us about her conversation with a prosecutor involved in the case directly, we go over details from the police report that stand out, and w…
Brandon Mitchner Case pt. 1
In this episode we discuss the unsolved death of Brandon Mitchner.
Menéndez Brothers Case pt. 3
In this episode, we discuss the implications of freeing people who have committed violent crimes back into society, and we answer listener questions.
Menéndez Brothers Case pt. 2
In this episode, we bring on a guest that shares more details that favor the belief that the brothers had been sexually assaulted, and that's what caused them to brutally murder their parents.
Menéndez Brothers Case pt. 1
In this episode, we give a brief overview of the Menéndez Brothers Case, and share some of our opinions regarding their motivations for committing such a heinous crime.
Aundria Bowman and Kathleen Doyle Cases pt. 5
Why does it matter that the murderer was prosecuted in two states? Why did Myrene talk about Aundria in terms of "nevers"? What questions did listeners submit for our first Q&A?
Aundria Bowman and Kathleen Doyle Cases pt. 4
What was the strategy used to prosecute the murderer? What was in his "Go Bag"? What forensic obstacles did authorities face in determining Aundria's cause of death?