Daniel Green was a dedicated father, a steady presence in his son’s life, and determined to move forward after a turbulent marriage. But his split from Erika Sandoval hadn’t settled into peace. Even apart, they were caught in a toxic pull; a cycle of jealousy, resentment, and brief reconciliations that neither seemed able to escape. When Daniel was found dead in his home, suspicion quickly turned to the one person who knew him best. In court, the fight wasn’t only over whether Erika had pulled the trigger, it became a battle to redefine who Daniel was, both in life and in death.

In this episode, I look at the 2015 murder of Daniel Green in Exeter, California, and the trial of his ex-wife, Erika Sandoval. Their relationship had been volatile, marked by jealousy, a bitter custody battle, and moments of reconciliation that kept drawing them back together. When Daniel was killed, the investigation quickly focused on Erika, leading to a trial where the defence strategy put Daniel’s character under the spotlight. I explore the toxic dynamic between them, the evidence presented in court, and the risks of turning a murder case into a trial of the victim.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Johnny Altinger wasn’t reckless. He didn’t take chances, didn’t skip plans, didn’t just disappear. So when he vanished after a first date with a woman he’d met online, his friends knew something was wrong. What began with a gut feeling soon spiraled into a case stranger than fiction, one that led police to a rented garage, and the warped imagination of an aspiring filmmaker obsessed with a fictional character. This wasn’t a date gone wrong. It was a performance. This wasn’t just a murder. It was a script. One the killer intended to rewrite, again and again.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greer Lawrance was just 20 years old; kind,thoughtful, full of life, and deeply loved by those who knew her. She knew her worth, and had walked away from a relationship that had turned toxic, choosing peace over chaos and control. But when a man refuses to accept the word "no," even the safest places can become the most dangerous.

In this shorter episode, I explore not only Greer's case, but what her story reveals about how breakups can become a catalyst for fatal violence.

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

★ To see todays case photos head over to the Cup of Coffee and Crime Facebook Discussion Group

★ To support the show and keep me caffeinated, you are now able to Buy Me a Coffee :)

Music from #Uppbeat :

https://uppbeat.io/t/ak/midnight-stroll

License code: OCHNSIEQIVR5SLQ7

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.