True Lies: The Happy Face Killer

Morbid Instinct

In this episode, the hosts discuss the Netflix series 'Catching Killers' and focus on the case of the Happy Face Killer. They explore the twists and turns of the investigation, including Laverne's changing stories and her eventual confession. They also discuss the flaws in the justice system, the power dynamics between police and suspects, and the impact of false confessions. The hosts delve into the childhood and early signs of violence in Keith Jesperson, the Happy Face Killer, and discuss his confessions and additional convictions. They also highlight the wrongful conviction of John Sosnowski and Laverne Pavlenac. In this episode, the hosts discuss the show 'Catching Killers' and its focus on killers who confess to their crimes. They highlight the fact that the show's title is somewhat misleading, as the killers in this particular episode were not caught but rather confessed. The hosts also praise the show for its detailed and informative storytelling, providing a comprehensive description of the crimes. They appreciate the real and conversational approach of the interviews with people involved in the cases. The episode concludes with a preview of the next season and a discussion on the link between cases.

Takeaways

• False confessions can occur due to coercive tactics and the desire to please authority figures.
• The justice system is not infallible, and wrongful convictions can occur due to flawed investigations and biased beliefs.
• Early signs of violence and cruelty towards animals can be indicators of future criminal behavior.
• The power dynamics between police and suspects can lead to abuses of power and wrongful convictions.
• The pursuit of justice requires persistence, open-mindedness, and a commitment to finding the truth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode

00:58 Discussion of the episode and initial twists

01:40 Focus on the case of Tanya Bennett

02:16 The detective's reaction and Laverne's changing stories

03:13 Implication of Laverne and John in the murder

04:37 Laverne's changing stories and implicating herself

05:34 Laverne leading the police to the body

06:00 John's arrest and the plea deal

06:50 John's conflicting statements and the detective's belief in Laverne

07:44 The district attorney's refusal to accept new evidence

08:59 The detective's persistence and Laverne's confession

09:57 The impact of false confessions and coercive tactics

11:22 The flaws in the justice system and the power dynamics between police and suspects

13:31 Introduction of Keith Jesperson and his confessions

14:19 Keith Jesperson's letters and the nickname 'Happy Face Killer'

18:00 Keith Jesperson's childhood and early signs of violence

19:29 Keith Jesperson's victims and his confessions

22:08 Keith Jesperson's suicide attempts and additional convictions

25:35 John Sosnowski and Laverne Pavlenac's wrongful conviction

27:23 Confessing Killers

28:13 Detailed and Informative

30:41 Real and Conversational

31:31 Emotional Impact

32:00 Life Sentence

33:01 Season Two Preview

34:23 Link Between Cases