Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
12 Surprising Facts about the Zodiac Killer
This is the first article in a two-part series on the Zodiac Killer. You can find the second here: After more than half a century, the Zodiac Killer is in the news again. It has been a banner year for amateur detectives and the Zodiac case is no exception. In December a team of volunteer code-breakers announced that they had cracked the 340-character cipher the killer sent to the San Francisco Chronicle in 1969.
By Lori Lamothe4 years ago in Criminal
French Engineer Says He Solved the Zodiac Cipher that Reveals the Killer’s Name: But Who Was Lawrence Kane?
This is the second article in a two-part series. Read the first here: It has been a banner year for amateur detectives. In January, true crime activists brought the case of an anonymous hiker found dead in a tent to national attention, which led to his identification. In April, authorities arrested Kristin Smart’s killer based on facts that came out during the course of a podcast. And six months ago three amateur code breakers solved the Zodiac Killer’s infamous 340-cipher — a task that the world’s top cryptologists, police and the FBI had been working on for more than 50 years.
By Lori Lamothe4 years ago in Criminal
The Last Green Light
All I could see was red. The glowing red traffic light in front of me was the only light for miles. It was the last light to freedom. But it's crimson gaze haunted me. It matched the seething red covering my own eyes, the blinding truth my mind was trying to justify. But I couldn’t think about it, I wouldn’t think about it. I just stared into the light willing it to change. Green. Change. Red.
By Kathryn Liddle4 years ago in Criminal
Quadriplegic Man Dies While in Jail for Marijuana Possession
Jonathan Magbie died in jail on the fourth day of a 10-day marijuana conviction sentence. The 27-year-old was paralyzed from the neck down and needed a ventilator, wheelchair, and 24-hour care. Despite the jail promising they had the necessary equipment and staff to care for Magbie, he was hospitalized within hours of his booking, only for the hospital to release him and refuse to readmit him, despite jail officials pleading for them to do so.
By Criminal Matters4 years ago in Criminal
Amy Archer-Gilligan's Murder Factory
Born Amy Dugan in 1873 in Milton Connecticut. She was 8th of ten children and for the most part led an unassuming life. Normal family, normal upbringing, no noticeable red flags. She married James Archer in 1897 at the age of 24 and they very quickly had a daughter, Mary.
By Samantha Shearer4 years ago in Criminal
Terror on the Midway
Terror on the Midway By
By Jamey O'Donnell4 years ago in Criminal
My Journey Down the Rabbit Hole
Disclaimer: My views are not those of an attorney, legal expert or any other classically trained professional. I am simply a wife and a mom. The scrutiny used in analyzing some of the situations in this case, is the same is the same investigation or examination I use on my kids. The same questions apply. Is this plausible? Is there another explanation? Why did events happen like this? What procedures or anomalies were there in this investigation? Is it possible someone is covering their own tracks?
By Jimmie Lee Staley4 years ago in Criminal
What is the humane treatment of prisoners?
mental health care is not always a priority in facilities where prisoners are kept. This can manifest itself when security guards and prison officials are not properly trained, staff do not report incidents, or do not take appropriate action when inmates are at risk of injury.
By Sita Dahal4 years ago in Criminal
Parents who Committed Horrific Crimes Against Their Own Kids
Warning: The following true stories depict crimes committed against children, including sexual assault and murder. The stories are not easy to read and not suitable for all readers. Discretion is advised.
By Criminal Matters4 years ago in Criminal
