Real Life Wrongs
Real Life Wrongs Podcast examines the systemic factors that put innocent people behind bars, and gives a voice to the gut-wrenching stories told by individuals caught in the web of a system that’s designed to protect them. RLW dives into the stories, the crimes, and the hard times of the world of wrongful convictions.
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Episode 13 : Marginalization : The Thing We Don't Talk About
02/10/2024
Episode 13 : Marginalization : The Thing We Don't Talk About
RLW: This episode jumps head first into an all encompassing topic. Almost every case of a wrongful conviction has an element of marginalization in it. What is Marginalization? Kelly and Kelly break it down and then throw to experts, Dr. Emily Haney Caron and Dr. Erika Fountain. Fountain's research lies at the intersection of developmental psychology, law, and policy and Haney Caron's focus is juvenile justice. They discuss the ways in which our most vulnerable members of society are at the greatest risk of becoming the victim of a wrongful conviction. We're not going to solve the world's problems in a single episode, but we can crack the topic of what we often don't like to talk about. Marginalization impacts us all. Grab a coffee or something stronger and have a listen. Remember to visit our website and leave a comment, or ask us a question or two. Our aim is to heighten awareness about wrongful convictions and offer insight into how we intersect with the law in Canada.
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Episode 12: What John Knows
07/07/2023
Episode 12: What John Knows
This epsiode of RLW is called "What John Knows" because when we researched our guest prior to his interview, the first words Kelly said were, "this is a guy who's probably seen and knows too much." No joke, Prison law Lawyer John Hill has been around the justice system. John L. Hill is a triple graduate of Queen’s University holding an Honours BA and MA in political science and a JD from the School of Law. He has lectured internationally on prison law topics at conferences of the International Association of Psychiatry and the Law. Now retired from practice, John writes columns dealing with crime and imprisonment for The Lawyer’s Daily, as well as bringing true stories of some of Canada's most notorious criminals to the public in his book, Pine Box Parole, where in Part One he looks at the role of the prison system in creating a monster out of convicted murdered Terry Fitsimmons, and Part II, “Other True Cases,” involves searing stories of five of John Hill’s imprisoned clients, including the psychopathic, ‘natural born killer’ Clifford Olson, and Inderjit Sigh Reyat, the only person to be convicted of the bombing Air India Flight 182. All stories center on the question of what if our criminal and correctional systems don't work fairly much of the time. Lots of gems in this one so please have a listen to disciver what John knows.
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Episode 11: Call My Lawyer
06/29/2023
Episode 11: Call My Lawyer
What makes a good lawyer? Even more importantly, how can you tell if you have a bad one? Of course the difference between the two can mean your guilt or innocence. What is Bad Lawyering? If it should ever come to pass that you require counsel, this episode of Real Life Wrongs examines what to expect, beginning with that first phone call. Our esteemed guest, Jason Gilbert, lays it out in easy to understand language and detail. Jason is a Criminal Defence Lawyer, B.A., and a founding partner of the firm Addelman Baum Gilbert LL.B. Jason is experienced, well respected, works around the clock, and was generous enough to take time to speak with us on the subject of what to expect, how a bad lawyer can cause a wrongful conviction, what the jury can/should look out for, and so much more. Highlight case: Erin Walsh
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Episode 10: Experts & What You Don't Know You Don't Know
05/29/2023
Episode 10: Experts & What You Don't Know You Don't Know
Anyone can call themselves an expert. This week on RLW, you'll discover how even in a court of law, that term can be used loosely. Yes, even you could be considered an expert in court. Join us as we dive into Expert Testimony and hear the devastating real life account of Maria Shepherd, a woman wrongfully convicted of killing her step daughter and the "expert doctor" who could take the stand to determine her fate. Doctor Charles Smith put many innocent people behind bars because of his "opinion"...so how was he considered an expert? Kelly Lauzon is a PhD student in the department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University where she teaches a fourth-year Honours seminar on wrongful convictions and another on criminal jury trials. Kelly Fanson is a business owner, writer, CCA winning director, actor/voice performer, and an Instructor of Acting for Film and Television at The Toronto Film School.
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Episode 9: Forensic Science, Smoke and Mirrors, and Crime
04/07/2023
Episode 9: Forensic Science, Smoke and Mirrors, and Crime
This week we're examining forensics, which is also our inspiration for the topic of our next season, Forensic Labs. We speak with UH Law Center Professor and author of, Cops in Lab Coats, Sandra Thompson about everything from the jury's responsibility when hearing experts on the stand to how labs work and which ones are working better than others. Our featured case is Joyce Hayman, a mother who was wrongfully convicted of giving her toddler son cocaine. Learn along with us about the inner world of forensic science.
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Episode 8: Served on a Silver Platter, Informants, and Justice
03/15/2023
Episode 8: Served on a Silver Platter, Informants, and Justice
This week, Real Life Wrongs examines the justice system's use of Jailhouse Informants and their impact on the world of wrongful convictions. Kelly Lauzon and Kelly Fanson take a closer look at how justice wasn't served for Guy Paul Morin, a Canadian man who was wrongfully convicted of the rape and murder of his nine-year-old neighbour. At trial, it was the prosecution's decision to call upon the testimony of two of Guy's cellmates, jailhouse informants who were only in it for themselves. We are so pleased to share our conversation with special guest, Professor of Law, Robert Bloom, a criminal attorney who has served as a defense lawyer and prosecutor.
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Episode 7 Part 3 : Policing : Human Element, Cops, and PTSD
02/07/2023
Episode 7 Part 3 : Policing : Human Element, Cops, and PTSD
This week, Real Life Wrongs brings you our third instalment on policing. We examined Police Misconduct through the lens of a wrongful conviction with guest, retired Detective/Sergeant Andrew Mikolajewski, then mistreatment within the force in conversation with Heather Gray, and finally, the human element of wearing the badge. As society dissects the role of policing more than ever, this is an important interview with both a veteran of the force, Sergeant Jason Frye, and 16 year member Constable Theresa Wabason.
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Episode 7 Part 2 : Policing : Constantly Tested, Misconduct, and the RCMP
01/15/2023
Episode 7 Part 2 : Policing : Constantly Tested, Misconduct, and the RCMP
This week, RLW returns with Part 2 on POLICING. Misconduct happens outside the force but also within it. This episode's focus leans toward the RCMP. Join hosts Kelly Lauzon (Dept of Law and Legal Studies, Carleton University) and Kelly Fanson (Writer, Producer) as they review cases of past misconduct and address ongoing compaints against the RCMP, including civil litigation on workplace harrassment, abuse of authority, and sexual misconduct. Former Corporal of the Regina Police Service, Heather Gray speaks with us about the very dark side of her experience spanning multiple decades on the force. Thank you for joining us. Trigger warning: mild sexual content & suicide.
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Episode 7: Policing Part 1: Look Away
11/03/2022
Episode 7: Policing Part 1: Look Away
This week, Real Life Wrongs brings you a three-parter. We're examining Police Misconduct and Policing, first through the lens of wrongful convictions, then first-hand experience of mistreatment within the force, and finally from the perspective of those who wear the badge. This first episode in the series covers the role of the Police, misconduct leading to the wrongful conviction of Thomas Sophonow, and a revealing interview with retired Winnipeg Sergaent, Andrew Mikolajweski. Andrew uncovered the truth and later met with the slain teenager's (Barb Stoppel) real killer and documented it all in his book, Stoppel.
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Episode 6: This is Going to Sting a Little
10/20/2022
Episode 6: This is Going to Sting a Little
This week, RLW examines the "Canadian Method", or Mr Big Stings. It's a meaty episode that includes how a sting goes down, the controversial tactics that concern most justice systems throughout the world, guest expert, Partner at Posner Craig Stein, Alison Craig, Toronto Star journalist Wendy Gillis, and three real life stories. We cover the story of Kyle Unger, a young man wrongfully convicted of the murder of Manitoba teenager, Brigitte Grenier. Alan Dale Smith's highly controversial Mr Big Op. And we speak with special guest, Alain Olivier who's wrongful conviction landed him in a Thai prison for seven years. It's BIG.
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Episode 5: I'll Trade You
09/29/2022
Episode 5: I'll Trade You
Have you ever seen the show “Deal or no Deal”? Well, it’s never that fun in court. This week, Real Life Wrongs examines Plea Deals or Plea Bargains (US). They have been increasing in frequency across the globe the last few decades and can play a key role in wrongful convictions. RLW guest, Allison Redlich is an expert in the field and gives great insight into how they work and what to look out for. Our highlight case and special guest is Maria Shepherd, a Canadian woman and now Director at Innocence Canada, who was wrongfully convicted of killing her stepdaughter.
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Episode 4: Why in the World
09/09/2022
Episode 4: Why in the World
RLW examines False Confessions and how our own words can be used against us in our Justice System. Why one would admit to something they didn't do is more bizarre and complicated than you'd think. We highlite the case of longest incarcerated wrongfully convicted Canadian, Romeo Phillion. We also speak with Dr. Lindsay Malloy, Hayley Cleary, and Jessica Sutherland to dissect the various kinds of confessions as well as interrogation tactics that are often the cause of a false confession.
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Episode 3: Don't Blink
08/12/2022
Episode 3: Don't Blink
This week, Real Life Wrongs examines Eyewitness Identification--another key factor in the world of Wrongful Convictions. Our esteemed guest, American Psychologist, Elizabeth Loftus, talks to us about misinformtaion and the nature of memory and how it impacts our justice system. We dissect the real life story of Michel Dumont from his arrest, conviction and release.
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Episode 2: Out of the Shadows
07/28/2022
Episode 2: Out of the Shadows
The eyes of the law can become fixated. Through the real life account from exoneree, Jamie Nelson, Kelly Lauzon and Kelly Fanson explain and discuss how tunnel vision can unwittingly, or even maliciously grip officials in the justice sytem and result in a wrongful conviction. Kelly Lauzon is a PhD student in the department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University where she teaches a fourth-year Honours seminar on wrongful convictions and another on criminal jury trials. Kelly Fanson is a published writer, CCA winning director, and actor/voice performer. Kelly is also an Instructor of Acting for Film and Television at The Toronto Film School.
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Real Life Wrongs : Inside Wrongful Convictions
06/16/2022
Real Life Wrongs : Inside Wrongful Convictions
The world of wrongful convictions is a living hell for those who end up in it and they can happen to anyone. How much do you know about flaws in the justice system that put innocent people behind bars? In this pilot episode, Kelly Fanson (producer, writer, and mom) and co-host Kelly Lauzon, (PhD student in the department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University), explain how wrongful convictions happen, reveal stories of individuals who went to jail for crimes they didn't commit, and shed light on the human system that put them there.
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