In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History

• The Trial of Jesus: A Legal Investigation into History’s Greatest Case

  Did Jesus have one trial or two? And what really happened in the courtroom, if there was one at all? In this tenth and final episode of season one, we take a lawyer’s approach to one of history’s most debated legal proceedings: the trial of Jesus. With no contemporaneous records and conflicting accounts shaped by religious and cultural biases, the truth remains elusive. Join us as we examine the evidence, explore the mysteries, and challenge what we think we know about this ancient case.   SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS AND VOICE ACTORS: Steve Guerra as Analyst Cari Lockwood as Bible Narrator Daniel Tulchinsky as Jesus Gil Kidrone as Sanhedrin Priest Lily Spader as Roman Law Reader Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• O.J. Simpson’s Murder Trial: The Clues That Changed Everything

  On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were murdered outside Brown’s Brentwood home, sparking one of the most infamous criminal cases in history. The investigation quickly led to O.J. Simpson, with key evidence including blood at the crime scene and his Rockingham estate. Five days later, his arrest warrant triggered a surreal, slow-speed Bronco chase that captivated millions. With the trial lasting 474 days and shaping public perception of the judicial system, this episode breaks down the core elements of the case to explain how the jury reached its controversial verdict.   SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS: Vincent Howard as Johnnie Cochran CJ Jackson as Christopher Darden Meghan Steenburgh as Marcia Clark Andrew Wood as Detective Fuhrman Adam Lockwood as Gerald Uelmen Ryan Pinkney as Professor William C. Thompson Victor Li as Judge Lance Ito J.D. Freedman as Barry Scheck Dave Scriven-Young as Dr. Henry Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The McMartin Preschool Scandal Changed How We Investigate Child Abuse

  The infamous McMartin Preschool trial epitomized the daycare abuse hysteria of the 1980s. What began with unsubstantiated allegations by a mentally ill parent spiraled into a seven-year legal battle, costing $16 million and leaving lives shattered—without a single conviction. Through flawed investigations, suggestive interviews, and sensational claims, the case raised critical questions about justice, credibility, and the power of mass panic. Join us as we explore the events, the fallout, and the lessons learned from one of America’s most controversial trials.   SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS: Frank Pira as Police Chief Lee Rawles as Kee MacFarlane Ken Sutherland as 9th Circuit Appeals Conrad Saam as Professor Douglas Linder Doreen Wiley as Attorney Lael Rubin Jon Enge as Attorney Dean Richard Gits Evan Dicharry as Attorney J. Daniel Davis Gyi Tsakalakis as Dr. Michael Maloney Georgia Well as Peggy Buckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Dingo or Deception? Unpacking the Lindy Chamberlain Trial That Gripped Australia

  In 1980, a family camping trip to Uluru turned into one of the most infamous trials in Australian history. When Lindy Chamberlain cried out, “A dingo’s got my baby,” few could have imagined the twists that would follow. In this episode, we unpack the investigation, trial, and ultimate exoneration of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, exploring how media frenzy, flawed forensic evidence, and public perception shaped the case. From the courtroom drama to the role of societal bias, discover the heartbreaking story that captivated the world and changed the justice system forever. Join us as we analyze pivotal testimony, scientific debates, and the final vindication years later, as well as the lessons this case teaches about humanity, justice, and media influence. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS: Ramona Van Rensburg as Lindy Chamberlain Ron Sharp as Ian Barker Amy Allen as Sally Lowe Kira Mead as The High Court Deb Foster as Joy Kuhl Guy Dow-Sainter as John Phillips Trevor Murphy as Dr. James Cameron George Zaj as Prof. Barry Boettcher Adam Dunning as Michael Chamberlain Col Mooney as Justice Trevor Morling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Evolution vs. Creationism; How the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial Gained Nationwide Attention

  Dayton, Tennessee, catapulted into the national spotlight in 1925 after a young teacher challenged a state law banning the teaching of evolution, transforming the town into a chaotic carnival of ideas and fervent beliefs.  Re-live the spectacle as Clarence Darrow, a relentless advocate for scientific thought, squared off against William Jennings Bryan, the stalwart defender of religious tradition. Feel the tension as the courthouse brimmed with heated exchanges, each argument pushing the boundaries between faith and reason. Witness how Darrow’s razor-sharp cross-examination exposed deep questions about literalism and learning, creating ripples that reverberated far beyond the courtroom.  Though Scopes was found guilty, the trial carved out a legacy of debate that echoes in America’s dialogue on education and freedom to this day LINKS: Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop! Listen to J. Craig Williams’ other podcast, Lawyer 2 Lawyer. Tell us what you’re looking forward to the most for this show on LinkedIn, Facebook, X or Instagram! Purchase the e-book. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS: Kevin McGrath as Judge Raulston Ken Sutherland as Rev. Cartwright Scott Well as Clarence Darrow Jon Enge as Rev. J.P. Massingill Darren Aitken as Attorney Malone Troy Starr as Atty General Stewart Jud Pierce as Superintendent White Daniel Singer as William Jennings Bryan Evan Dicharry as The Appeals Court Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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