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In April 2006, six members of the Wise family suddenly went silent. The family patriarch, Jesse Lee Wise, Sr., who was on a business trip, knew that something must be wrong when his wife, Emily Wise, wasn’t answering his calls. The only person in their household of eight who answered his calls was his grandson, Jesse Dee Wise.

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Episode Source List:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grandson-killed-family-with-force/

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna12316960

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19247451

https://lancasteronline.com/news/charges-mount-against-wise/article_0f6189e2-9c0e-52bf-b765-1e78234f1d5b.html

https://lancasteronline.com/news/leola-massacre-recalled-6-bodies-in-bloody-basement/article_66879b2b-10a0-50c9-8ab3-c7bae74017ec.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zN4gxGshh8

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It’s my birthday! Since this episode comes out on my birthday, I wanted to do something fun, so I’ve collected some cases where burglars and stalkers were caught in the craziest ways. From getting stuck at the crime scene to having their crime in the background of a TikTok, these criminals had major oopsies that got them caught redhanded.

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Episode Source List:
Windows of Justice
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article247899145.html

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article247888970.html

https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/lehigh/2020/12/14/lcso-lehigh-acres-man-dies-during-attempted-burglary/6548127002/

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/florida-rapper-jonathan-hernandez-32-dies-when-window-falls-on-his-neck-while-burglarizing-a-home.4202374/

https://www.winknews.com/news/lee/man-dies-while-attempting-to-burglarize-home-in-lehigh-acres-lcso-says/article_59b00e1e-6c1e-5728-8176-9f54b5815855.html

https://www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com/news/swfl-news/2014/04/update-three-charged-in-lehigh-shooting-death/

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/219987719/jonathan-hernandez-zuluaga

***
https://www.nytimes.com/1940/12/16/archives/burglar-falls-3-stories-in-fleeing-out-window.html

Butt-Sniffing Bandit
https://www.glendaleca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8124/

https://abc7.com/post/calese-crowder-alleged-serial-stalker-burbank-suspect-released/13661030/

https://abc7.com/post/calese-crowder-arrest-repeat-sex-offender-charged-multiple-buttocks-sniffing-incidents-arrested-burbank/17628227/

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/woman-accidentally-films-man-stalking-172656392.html

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/serial-butt-sniffer-arrested-again-in-burbank-weeks-after-100k-bail-case/

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/court-revokes-parole-supervision-for-man-dubbed-butt-sniffer-in-burbank/3774577/

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/serial-butt-sniffer-arrested-again-california

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/calese-crowder-burbank-glendale-sex-offender-harassment/

Stuck in the Trunk
https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/COPS-Stalker-trapped-in-trunk-of-Milford-woman-s-11579991.php

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/man-found-in-trunk-of-ex-girlfriend-s-car-in-1786586.php

https://patch.com/connecticut/shelton/shelton-police-arrest-log-march-9-15-0

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Back in 1926, south Texas was still the wild west, and Dr. J.A. Ramsey was a prominent citizen of Mathis, Texas. After a late night call to a patient’s bedside, Dr. Ramsey disappeared. Soon, Harry Leahy, another promising citizen of Mathis approached Dr. Ramsey’s wife, trying to claim the reward for his return. Only, he couldn’t return Dr. Ramsey alive.

This case has cowboys, an elaborate plan, rumored hitmen, Ma Ferguson again, Texas Rangers, a whole bunch of corruption, two rich widows, a victim that lit up the ranch with his wonderful personality, a dumbass criminal, and a whole bunch of side crimes. We’re starting 2026 with a bang!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

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Episode Source List:
https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/leahy-v-state-no-891058101

https://authentictexas.com/the-dead-mans-gun/

https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll2/id/9830/

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth289161/m1/5/

https://www.txgenwebcounties.com/sanpatricio/Bios/Timon_Walter.htm

https://easttexashistory.org/items/show/41

https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/16022NCJRS.pdf#:~:text=The%20first%20woman%20convict%20was,occupation%20upon%20entering%20the%20penitentiary.

https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/p/a/Lacey-Sparks-Texas/GENE84-0005.html

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104698225/james-abner-ramsey

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216434091/harry-john-leahy

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This case is so wild, y’all! It takes place in 1927 in Cisco, Texas, and involves a Santa, a robbery, bounties, a whole town full of people shooting at each other, murders, and mayhem. Merry Christmas from Bad Acts!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

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Episode Source List:
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/santa-claus-bank-robbery

https://member.texasbankers.com/Magazine/magazine/Vault/22-01-The-Cisco-Santa-Robbery.aspx

https://www.fwweekly.com/2007/12/26/santa-got-a-gun-and-a-rope/

https://texashighways.com/culture/history/sinister-santa-a-look-at-the-1927-cisco-bank-robbery/

https://www.tsl.texas.gov/exhibits/prisons/inquiry/henry_helms_sep6_1929_1.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/crime/santa-claus-bank-robbery-1927

https://www.newspapers.com/image/62068287/

https://www.behindbadge.org/newsroom/ym10hz2l6rw15fy6jj9zp4vsdqlncb

texasescapes.com/MaggieVanOstrand/The-Night-the-Posse-Chased-Santa.htm

https://member.texasbankers.com/Magazine/magazine/Vault/23-01-Reward-Dead-bank-robbers.aspx

https://mbcpathway.com/2023/12/04/infamous-1927-santa-claus-robbery-provides-go-to-spiritual-lesson-for-texas-pastor/

https://www.nydailynews.com/2018/12/09/bad-santa-robs-bank-gets-lynched/

https://www.wideopencountry.com/the-great-santa-claus-bank-robbery/

https://www.hotcars.com/fastest-cars-1920s/

https://www.americantreasuretour.com/vintage-automobiles-1920-to-1929

https://blog.americansafetycouncil.com/the-history-of-speed-limits-in-america/

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One morning, Patricia Luna opened her door to accept a flower bouquet. Seven hours later, Patricia, her husband Albert, Sr., and two of their children were discovered in a ghastly crime scene that encompassed three rooms in their home.

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Episode Source List:
https://law.justia.com/cases/arizona/supreme-court/1998/cr960296-1.html

https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/07/24/08-99027.pdf

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-ca9-08-99027

https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/News%20Release%20-%20Arizona%20Supreme%20Court%20Issues%20Execution%20Warrant%20for%20Richard%20Kenneth%20Djerf.pdf

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCOURTS-azd-2_02-cv-00358/pdf/USCOURTS-azd-2_02-cv-00358-0.pdf

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/19/19-7856/141574/20200414125520981_2020.04.14%20SHELL%20Reply.pdf

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/az-supreme-court/1006872.html

https://www.azcourts.gov/Portals/0/0000-AppellantsOpeningBrief-03179299-0.PDF

https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/19/19-7856/139577/20200331181604111_BIO%20-%202.pdf

https://maricopacountyattorney.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1249

https://corrections.az.gov/news/execution-scheduled-inmate-richard-djerf-adcrr-121385

https://corrections.az.gov/news/scheduled-execution-inmate-richard-djerf-adcrr-121385-completed

https://apnews.com/article/arizona-execution-richard-djerf-bb1cb163898fcb3163092448b24f9e9f

https://apnews.com/article/arizona-execution-richard-djerf-fe353b3bd4d9d4243ffa5b911fc958fa

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In 2023, Jennifer and Robbie Tower welcomed their 21-year-old adopted son back into their home. They’d rescued him from a Ukrainian orphanage, but he repaid them in blood.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/badactspod

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Episode Source List:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAWjmT4pkhg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbAMekrZe1A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlmRs7vLgvc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c60dygOWurg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_z0wmqPczE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZcW8M99FLU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBs9DwRlObM

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/courts/2025/11/17/dima-tower-murder-trial-parents-sarasota-north-port-florida-sentence/87270341007/

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2025/11/14/dima-tower-found-guilty-first-degree-murder-parents-deaths/

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2025/11/14/an-evil-spirit-judge-hands-down-maximum-penalty-convicted-killer/

https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/dima-tower-stabbed-parents-florida-b2407066.html

https://www.fox13news.com/news/florida-man-accused-killing-adoptive-parents-could-face-life-prison

https://people.com/adoptive-son-on-trial-parents-massacred-bodies-found-head-to-head-11848252

https://robersonfh.com/obituary/robbie-tower/

https://robersonfh.com/obituary/jennifer-christine-tower/

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Parents-Who-Get-Killed-and-the-Children-Who-Kill-Heide/2065d32fb8cd2957a8cfbb7392da17252bc2e668

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31463985/

https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/adoption-and-murder-advances-psychology-and-law-p-274-280-1997

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34131962/

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On September 18, 2015, 50-year-old Heike Poike missed school pickup for her 8-year-old grandson. When police went to check on Heike, they found a disturbing crime scene and an unhinged man who’d done the unthinkable.

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Episode Source List:
https://law.justia.com/cases/utah/supreme-court/2024/20220560.html

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ut-supreme-court/115885520.html

https://www.scribd.com/doc/283369702/Alexander-Tran-Charges

https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/district-attorney/Media/judge-orders-alexander-hung-tran-to-three-life-sentences-without-the-possiblity-of-parole-for-2015-aggravated-murders/

https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/district-attorney/Media/jury-finds-alexander-hung-tran-guilty-of-three-2015-aggravated-murders/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/triple-murder-suspect-allegedly-said-mom-made-me-do-it/

https://www.ksl.com/article/51367190/jury-finds-salt-lake-man-guilty-of-3-counts-of-aggravated-murder-in-2015-triple-killing

https://www.deseret.com/2015/10/1/20573462/homeowner-accused-in-triple-homicide-had-wanted-renters-to-leave-charges-state/

https://www.ksl.com/article/36596650/neighbor-killed-man-grandmother-2-month-old-baby-police-say

https://www.deseret.com/2015/9/21/20572866/motive-for-3-killings-unknown-but-dad-says-answers-may-never-be-known/

https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=2977019&itype=CMSID

https://www.premierfuneral.com/obituaries/heike-poike-23208/obituary

https://www.premierfuneral.com/obituaries/lyrik-amorpoike-23208/obituary

https://www.peelfuneralhome.com/obituaries/dakota-smith

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/four-federal-indictments-unsealed-alleging-sex-trafficking-children-transportation-minors

https://www.ksl.com/article/37687105/sandy-woman-accepts-plea-deal-in-child-sex-trafficking-case

https://kutv.com/news/local/8-charged-after-child-trafficking-bust

https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3287203&itype=CMSID

https://lawandcrime.com/crime/increasingly-obsessive-murderer-fixated-on-woman-blows-away-her-mom-infant-daughter-in-a-baby-bouncer-and-a-family-friend/

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Today, we’re talking about a wannabe killer who tried to solve his problems by hiring hitmen. Yes, that’s hitmen plural. He just kept hiring them.

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Episode Source List:
Gregory Hess
https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2020/487-mda-2019.html

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/manipulator_or_target_of_oppor.html

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/york-county-man-accused-of-hiring-hit-man-now-accused-of-hiring-second-hit-man-to-kill-the-first/

https://www.wgal.com/article/police-man-offers-hitman-30-000-to-kill-wife-s-friend/6231342

https://www.wgal.com/article/york-county-man-accused-of-3-murder-for-hire-plots-out-on-bail/6236175

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/contests/hess-sentenced-in-murder-for-hire-case-faces-up-to-24-years/521-ea9d86a1-9cd7-4c76-954c-cd960e9a23be

https://local21news.com/news/local/closing-remarks-made-in-gregory-hess-trial

https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2015/12/31/hess-sentenced-12-24-years/78122334/

https://www.wgal.com/article/man-accused-of-trying-to-hire-hit-man-repeatedly-heads-to-hearing/5914750

https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2015/05/he_wanted_to_kick_his_ass_daug.html

https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/2014/06/son_of_york_county_man_charged.html

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/03/toby_hess_gregory_hess_murder.html

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2015/11/gregory_hess_trial_deliberatio.html

https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2016/03/01/murder-for-hire-hit-man-hess/81167700/

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2015/05/27/verdict-reached-murder-hire-plot-trial/31254019/

https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2015/05/22/prosecution-rests-greg-hess-trial/31267675/

https://www.wgal.com/article/man-accused-in-murder-for-hire-plot-now-accused-in-second-plot/6232094

https://sevenvalleysborough.com/history/