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Journey into the underworld of American organized crime and the stories behind the rise and fall of the most notorious mobsters in history. From Charles “Lucky” Luciano and John Gotti, to Donnie Brasco, “Bugsy” Siegel and Dutch Schultz–Mafia explores the lives of our greatest gangsters and the cops and attorneys who worked to bring them down.
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The story starts like a neighborhood postcard and ends with a number you can’t forget: 193. We head to Houston to unpack the Blue-Eyed Butcher case, where a young mother, a charismatic husband, and a tidy suburban home collide with bindings, a shallow grave, and a trial that turned into legal theater. What looked perfect from the curb was tearing apart inside—friends described charm and volatility, anxiety and control, late-night fights and a marriage sliding into fear.
We walk through the two clashing versions of the night Jeff Wright died. Susan’s account centers on panic, a struggle, and a survival instinct spun out of years of intimidation. The state’s case argues premeditation: a drugged and bound victim, a relentless attack, and a next-day routine that tried to smooth over horror. Then came the moment that made headlines—prosecutor Kelly Siegler wheeled a bed into court and physically acted out the stabbing sequence, transforming facts on paper into a visceral performance the jury could not unsee.
Toxicology deepened the controversy. Alcohol and cocaine complicated behavior; GHB suggested incapacitation. We dig into how that evidence shaped motive, how trauma affects memory and reporting, and why the defense’s lack of documentation undercut claims of abuse. We also revisit the resentencing that introduced expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and trimmed the original sentence, stoking debate about fairness, failure, and the weight of visual proof in a courtroom.
If you’re drawn to true crime that tests your instincts, this one asks hard questions about power, fear, and the thin line between self-defense and vengeance. Listen, weigh the evidence, and tell us where you land. If the episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—your take might change someone’s mind.
Sources:
ABC13 Houston: “Susan Wright formally released from prison after 16 years behind bars” — https://abc13.com/post/susan-wright-murder-trial-jeff-stabbed-husband-193-times/9184616/
Oxygen: “Kelly Siegler Details Trial of ‘Blue‐Eyed Butcher’ Susan Wright” — https://www.oxygen.com/prosecuting-evil-with-kelly-siegler/crime-news/trial-blue-eyed-butcher-susan-jeff-wright-murder-texas
KIRO7 / Cox Media: “‘Blue-eyed Butcher’: Texas woman who stabbed husband 193 times … released on parole” — https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/blue-eyed-butcher-texas-woman-who-stabbed-husband-193-times-2003-released-parole/GMR2DZYQLVEIBCYYT7DPOB6IW4/
Justia: “Susan Lucille Wright v. The State of Texas” (Appeal) — https://law.justia.com/cases/texas/fourteenth-court-of-appeals/2012/14-10-01193-cr.html
Chapters
1. Cold Open: 193 Stab Wounds (00:00:00)
2. Food Safety Fears And Botulism (00:00:54)
3. Healthcare Frustrations And Misdiagnosis (00:02:42)
4. Setting The Scene In Houston (00:04:35)
5. Susan And Jeff: Public Charm, Private Strain (00:06:11)
6. Two Stories: Self-Defense Or Murder (00:09:20)
7. The Crime Scene And Burial (00:12:52)
8. The Investigation And Arrest (00:15:20)
9. The Trial And The Bed Demonstration (00:18:40)
10. Toxicology, GHB, And The Verdict (00:22:10)
11. Resentencing, Parole, And Public Debate (00:25:02)
12. True Crime Recs And Sign-Off (00:28:00)
82 episodes
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