Alternative Interests

Episode 108: Justice for Mason

During the pandemic there have been concerns on many fronts that domestic violence would go widely undetected due to the isolation of lockdown. Today's story tells the heartbreaking tale of a family who lost a loved one and was subsequently terrorized in the wake of the grief that followed.  This is an ongoing case and we will keep an eye out for updates as proceedings move forward. 

Episode 107: Howard Unruh

Howard was a quiet man, regarded by his neighbors as a nice young man, if a little strange. However, Howard was concealing a simmering rage toward many of his neighbors for an untold number of grievances. 

Many people will immediately think of Charles Whitman as the first mass shooter in American History, but 17 years before the Texas Tower Shooting, there was Howard Unruh's Walk of Death.

Episode 106: A Tale of Two Survivors - Alison and Mary

In this episode we bring you the story of two absolute badass women who survived the most traumatic experience of ten lifetimes, and turned their lives into something positive in the aftermath. 

Please be advised, this episode includes graphic details of sexual assault and physical injuries.

*Sound quality note - our software dumped half the audio file and we had to piece together a few different emergency backups provided by the IT gods of our recording host, sound levels may not be even but we did our best to stabilize it. Thanks for your patience!*

Episode 105: Michael and Dalia Dippolito Part 2

Newlyweds Dalia and Michael were off to a rocky start just six months into their marriage, and Dalia decided she was done. Instead of taking a more rational approach, she resorted to increasingly desperate plots and plans to free herself from the prison of matrimony. Thankfully that desperation made her incredibly easy to convict, although the absolute senselessness of her defense arguments also sealed her fate quite effectively. 

Episode 104: Michael and Dalia Dippolito Part 1

Michael and Dalia were a newlywed couple in the Summer of 2009. They were settling into a groove in their new marriage and were working toward rectifying some mistakes from their past so they could have a bright future together. On August 5th, Dalia received a phone call from police telling her to get home right away, only for her to find a full blown crime scene where her home should be. Her husband was dead, and police needed answers. In Part 1, we explore the parts of Michael's past that may shed light on who could be responsible for the events on the morning of August 5th, 2009.

Episode 103: Lori Kimberly Becky Sue

This episode starts with a brief update on the Melissa Lucio case - this update was recorded before the news broke about Melissa's indefinite stay of execution. 

Blake Ruff met Lori Kennedy and they began a whirlwind romance. Blake's family wasn't too fond of Lori's secretive ways, but he loved her. They were quickly married and had a child together, which Lori guarded like a hawk. Their marriage fell apart, and sadly Lori took her own life. In the wake of her sudden death, more questions began to arise and soon, Blake realized he had no idea who this woman actually was.

Episode 102: Melissa Lucio

Melissa Lucio currently sits on death row in Texas, her execution date is set for Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Melissa's story is incredibly important and it must be heard. The Innocent Project is fighting to stop this execution and every day more and more people are joining the fight to save her life. We hope this gives more context behind the circumstances that led to Melissa's conviction to decide for yourself if this is what is right. 

Please note, this episode features extensive discussion of physical and sexual abuse of children and adults. 

Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/petitions/grant-melissa-lucio-clemency/?p2asource=hp_033302022

Family interview with Lone Star Plate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqsHKwBTH68

 

Episode 101: Steven Pladl Part 2

Some people just aren't built for having families, and we believe Steven is one of those people. This story is fraught with abuse in all forms, perpetuated by one of the worst human meat bags we have covered so far. In Part 2, we bring you the conclusion of the Pladl story as well as discuss the phenomenon of Genetic Sexual Attraction to add some context to the situation with Steven and Katie. In this story there is no closure, no reform, and there is most certainly no justice. 

Please be advised, this episode includes discussion of the murder of an infant that may be difficult to listen to. 

 

Episode 100: Steven Pladl Part 1

Some people just aren't built for having families, and we believe Steven is one of those people. This story is fraught with abuse in all forms, perpetuated by one of the worst human meat bags we have covered so far. In Part 1, we discuss what little we know about Steven's early years and the first victim of his sick grooming. Please be advised, this episode includes a significant amount of discussion of child abuse that may be difficult to listen to.

Episode 99: Denise Amber Lee

Most of us have been taught from a young age that if we are in trouble and there is an emergency, we should call 911 for help. But what happens when we do everything right: we call the number, we give the information, and it still isn't enough? Denise's story is a tragic example of everyone doing exactly what we have been taught, and somehow still failing the person who needed help most.