Our Trials

Oh, this one is gross.  Clarky takes us back in time to 1930's Italy where we learn the economical way a murderer can use their "resources" and Schmidty and Swanny write a new musical.

Schmidty tells a very light touch Golden State Killer story and then goes on to shock the Jury with the story of David Fuller and how both of these monsters were undone in the end.

Who doesn't love a battered Saveloy?  Well, us now.  Clarky tells the story of Sada Abe and her extraordinary love life.

Swanny takes the team on a trip to Springfield Illinois where nuclear plant engineer Mark Winger killed his wife Donnah and alleged attacker and thanks to the investigation lead by a Chief Wiggan wannabe, very nearly got away with it. 

Clarky horrifies the team with the shocking story of the Richardson family murders and Swanny discovers her talent for slam duck poetry.

Schmidty takes us back in time to Switzerland 1794 with the story of Margaretta Peter, the woman who thought she was Christ, in this story of religious fanaticism and whack-a-mole.

Swanny tells the story of the man behind the makeup, providing the background to one of America’s most prolific serial killers, John Wayne Gacy and why clowns just don’t do it for her.

  Clarky, Schmidty and Swanny are joined by a special guest, Regina Lawless, who gives us her professional view on the case of McKinley "Mac" Phipps Jr.  Reggie brings her wealth of experience in legal process to educate the TBW crew and we were honoured to have her join the jury!

Schmidty lightens things up a bit and in honour of April fools, takes us back in the Timey-Winey machine to the roaring '20's in this story of the King of Conmen, Victor Lustig (or at least that was one of his names), a man who made fooling people an art form.

SSwanny backs up Clown Passions and horrifies the Trial by Wine crew with a deeper dive into the John Wayne Gacy case.  

Swanny takes us on a road trip to the salad bowl of America where Laren Sims and Sara Dutra (Karma Sutra) cross Weekend at Bernie's and Thelma and Louise in a wild story that proves real life is stranger than fiction.

Schmidty grosses the team out with the macabre story of Ed Gein, the Butcher of Plainfield who filled late nights in Wisconsin with some bizarre hobbies.

The team are joined by Risky Sour, who provides some much needed gravitas and actual expertise on Clarky's story of the Westpac Scandal.

Join the team as Swanny tells the story of Jaycee Dugard, kidnapped walking to her school bus stop and the monsters who stole her childhood.

Schmidty reveals the insidious nature of blackmail with three stories from across the globe all featuring blackmailing moles.

Clarky dives into crimes of passion, culminating in the bizarre story of Tall Hot Blonde and Marine Sniper - how a virtual romance can go very bad.

Swanny brings suite of silly stories from the UK (thank you Channel 4) and our favourite - Florida.  From phallus reconstruction to a VET who loves animals too much.

Schmidty brings the Widow of Walcha to trial, where Natasha Darcy's prolific internet searching lead to her arrest.  

Clarky brings to light a story from Antwerp Victoria, where Joan Vollmer was exorcised to death in 1993 in a truly shocking Australian story.

Swanny tells the tale of Kellie Lane, set against a backdrop of Sydney's sport and beach culture.  What happened to baby Tegan?

What kind of idiot would use COVID to cover up a murder?  Schmidty answers this in the story of David and Gretchen Anthony.

Clarky's telling of the Natalia Barnett case leaves the team with more questions than answers...and a lot of laughs along the way.

While Swanny is away, Clarky entertains the jury with some saucy stories from Oxygen.com discovering a whole new species of human - real life super heroes!

Schmidty takes the Real life Superhero thing further with the story of Pheonix Jones, a real life Super Hero who fell from grace.

Swanny is back and to celebrate Clarky tells the tale of the Slenderman Stabbing.  Was it another case of folie a deux, or more aligned to Mean Girls?  

Image: Dave Dick Illustrator

Swanny takes us back to the 50's and a story of mother's love that's gone a little too far.  Ma Duncan refuses to cut the cord to her son Frank with disastrous consequences.

Schmidy tells a buyer beware story of real estate jealousy that had the Broaduss family terrorised. Who was The Watcher and what was their problem?

Schmidy takes a trip down memory lane back in the Wild West of England in this story of the murders of Becky Godwin and Sian O'Callaghan and the lingering questions about their killer Christopher Halliwell. Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72662

When is a love triangle, not a love triangle?  When Liz Golyar is in the mix.  Swanny tells the sad tale of the disappearance of Cari Farver at the hands of her love rival.

 Clarky hangs the jury in this frankly weird story of Elisa Lam and the events that lead to her tragic death.  What really happened to Elisa and did the dark history of the Cecil Hotel have anything to do with it? 

If you have a fear of snakes, this one is not for you! Schmidty takes the team to Kerala for an exotic murder in God's Own Country.  Hear how Suraj Kumar plotted to murder his wife Uthra and created a legal precedence in the process.

In this story, Swanny delves into the murder of Marjorie Nugent by her musical theatre loving companion Bernie Tiede and highlights the risks involved when Austin Liberals campaign for justice. (image istock)

Schmidty delves into the sad story of Abraham Shakespeare, a man who had a little, then a lot, then nothing. Would you tell anyone if you won the lottery?  

 OMG - Clarky really hits this one out the park, terrifying Swanny with the tale of Tracy Wigginton (aka Wiggers), who committed a barbaric and entirely unnecessary crime.  Which Wiggers was it though?  Start the tape boys and I'll tell you what really happened. 

 Clarky prepares for his upcoming cruise with tales from the high seas.  Find out what a magic pipe is and more! 

  Swanny harks back to the late naughties in London, with this story of obsession for Mr Boyzone.  Sabrina Kouider and Sam Medouni spiral out of control, culminating in a bonfire and a bbq. 

   While Swanny is away, Tony debuts as host, covering the story of Tulia - known as the home of one of the worst miscarriages of justice in recent memory, and Tom Coleman, the man who made it all possible. 

  Schmidty draws some parallels between the boys in the valley and Dr Charles Scudder and Joey Odom, two off gridders from the 70's who found tragedy, instead of peace, in their country retreat. 

  Clarky brings more horror on the high seas, with the story of Dianne Brimble, whose holiday of a lifetime tragically became her last.   

  Swanny tells the story of Peter Madsen, Danish entrepreneur, genius and cold blooded killer.

  Clarky continues his cruise crimes series, with this Mediterranean murder.  When your ex husband tries to patch things up with you and organises a cruise, be afraid.  Be very afraid!  Especially if his name is Lonnie Kocontes. 

 This is the story of Larry Ray and the kids from Sarah Lawrence College who fell under his spell.  Fry pans, one room apartments and sex trafficking were not on the syllabus, yet somehow these kids fell victim to Ray and his ill intent.  

 Clarky finishes off his month of cruise crimes with two stories that will horrify you.  Schmidty resolutely ignores all his dire warnings (as per usual). 

  The day after the hens do, the Trial by Wine crew finally record together, with special guest voice talents from Somerset and Wales.  Schmidty tells the tale of Penny and David Jackson and the bubble and squeak that lead to murder. 

   Here's the story of Andy Albury, Australia's Hannibal Lecter - allegedly.  Clarky tells the story of Andy and his gruesome deeds, but the jury is out on whether Albury deserves that moniker, when really he's a Donkey Shooter. 

 Swanny introduces us to Joleen Cummings, the cosmetologist who disappeared from her work in May 2018, and the twisted tale of jealousy, J names and a very suspicious shopping list.  

 Clarky keeps the Aussie stories rolling with the unsolved mystery of the Tynong/Frankston murders.  We hate a mystery! 

 Schmidty educates the team on cryptozoology and does a deep dive into the crimes of Bigfoot, or as they are known in Australia, the Yowie.  Are they reclusive, gentle hominids as yet undiscovered, the missing link, or violent Yahoos with giant genitalia?  You decide... 

   Clarky tells the jury the story of the first possible space crime.  Astronauts, lesbians, data privacy breaches and a twist in the tale - the story of Summer Worden and Anne McClain has it all.  

 Swanny brings us the story of Liz Carmichael and the car con of the century.  A woman who was either a pioneer or a pirate, working in a mans world.  

By Alden Jewell - 1975 Dale Brochure, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29043319

 Clarky tells the story of Margaret Hawke who murdered her three children in Port Hedland and the social context of this tragedy.  Trigger warning, this is a very sad story.  

   Schmidty horrifies the team with this gruesome tale of Albert Fish, considered one of the worst child killers in history.  A true monster. Trigger warnings abound. 

    Clarky's on holiday, but that doesn't stop him telling a corker of a story of the 1971 Qantas bomb hoax.  A story that inspired film and music and features some of the dumbest criminals ever.  

   Schmidty continues her cryptid carry on with Werewolves - a cross section of true crimes perpetrated by wolfmen - yeah, sure.  

   Swanny returns to murder and mayhem with the story of the Monster of the Miramichi, Allan Legere who terrorised a community for absolutely no reason at all. 

 Schmidty completes her Cryptid series with the story of Shane Chartres Abbott, Melbourne's Vampire Gigolo who wasn't. 

 Schmidty takes us back to Utah with the story of Chad and Lori Daybell - a love story for the ages, or two maniacal extremist Mormons?