Death of the Defense: The Story of Clement Vallandigham

His death is often cited on lists called, “Stupid Ways People Have Died” … and it was stupid. But the life of attorney and politician Clement Vallandigham was complicated. During the Civil War he was a free speech advocate and a convicted traitor. He was beloved by some in Ohio, hated by others and, ultimately, laughed about by most. The true crime is a shooting in a bar room brawl on Christmas Eve, but this is a documentary about the lawyer who defended that case with his life.

More about the show:
🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com

Team & Contributors

Executive Producer- Clare O’Donohue
https://clareodonohue.com

Executive Producer – Margaret Smith

Editor – Jessica Stokey

Social Media Manager & Design – Mikayla Bogus
https://mikayladesign.cargo.site

IT Manager – Conor Sweeney

The History of Murder Logo – Bernadette Carr
https://www.bcarrdesign.com

Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” – Rob Brereton
https://robertbrereton.com

Interview: Martin Gottlieb

Voice of Clement Vallandigham: Joe Janes

Voice of Abraham Lincoln: Randy Duncan

Voice of Thomas McGehan: Nick Rowley

Voice of James Vallandigham: Sean Sheehan

This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part.

Help keep us around by ….

Buying Merch
https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com

Joining Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder

And Supporting Us Directly
https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

Fire on the Prairie: The Story of the Lawrence Massacre

On August 21, 1863, the residents of Lawrence, Kansas woke up to chaos. The Civil War was raging, and this Midwestern town, far from the front lines, was at the center, 500 men rode into town, killing men and boys, and burning down the homes and businesses. They said they were fighting for the Confederacy, but were they really just criminals looking to steal and kill? In this true crime documentary, we explore the question of whether this was mass murder or an act of war.

More about the show:
🌐 https://thehistoryofmurder.com

Team & Contributors

Executive Producer- Clare O’Donohue
https://clareodonohue.com

Executive Producer – Margaret Smith

Editor – Steph Kelly

Social Media Manager & Design – Mikayla Bogus
https://mikayladesign.cargo.site

IT Manager – Conor Sweeney

The History of Murder Logo – Bernadette Carr
https://www.bcarrdesign.com

Theme Song “My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down” – Rob Brereton
https://robertbrereton.com

Voice of William Quantrill – Nick Rowley

Voice of Bill Anderson – Joe Janes

Voice of Elizabeth – Kelly Haran

Voice of Rev. Cartright – Sean Sheehan

This was truly a team effort, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part.

Help keep us around by ….

Buying Merch
https://buy.thehistoryofmurder.com

Joining Our Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofmurder

And Supporting Us Directly
https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistoryofmurder

When Lincoln Defended A Killer: The Story of Peachy Quinn

Before he was President, before the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was the most successful attorney in Springfield Illinois. But when a young man from a prominent family killed someone, Lincoln was an odd choice for the defense. This true crime documentary features one of the most famous historical figures in American history in a case where the stakes couldn’t have been higher for the defendant – and his lawyer.

Continue reading “When Lincoln Defended A Killer: The Story of Peachy Quinn”

The Night of Horrors: The Story of the Chinese Massacre

In October of 1871, a mob in Los Angeles descended upon a poor neighborhood and hunted down every Chinese man they could find. The killing spree would last four hours. There were several trials, but many of the witnesses stayed away – and one group, the surviving Chinese, were kept from testifying. Then the entire event was buried so deep in the history books that even the descendants of the survivors didn’t know it happened.

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The Man Who Poisoned a Dynasty: The Story of Bennett Clark Hyde

In 1909, a major philanthropist in Missouri died. He was 81 and had a number of health issues. His death might have been natural…. Except…. In the same house a family member had died just weeks before, and another would die weeks later. Fingers pointed to one man, Bennett Clark Hyde. The trials that followed divided a family and left a legacy of doubt that haunts Missouri to this day.

Continue reading “The Man Who Poisoned a Dynasty: The Story of Bennett Clark Hyde”

Murder at the Crossroads: The Story of Clara Olson

In 1926, one invention was changing lives all across America. And in rural Wisconsin it was about to the change the life of a young woman who thought she was on the road to her future. When she disappeared, her father did everything to find her, but what he uncovered not only changed his life, it changed everything

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The Castle on Garland Street: The Story of Ossian Sweet

In 1925 Detroit, Michigan the family of Ossian Sweet, a Black family, moved into a White neighborhood. A mob attacked their home with rocks, and one man was killed. 10 men went to trial for first-degree murder. With Clarence Darrow leading the defense, the attorneys and the NAACP had to convince an all-White jury that defending one’s home was not a crime, but a right.

Continue reading “The Castle on Garland Street: The Story of Ossian Sweet”