Hey listeners, Chelsea here.

I'm a producer on this show and I'm in your ears today to share some exciting changes coming to the feed.

Rest assured, you're still going to hear the most interesting true crime stories from all around the world,

backed by the research you've come to expect.

But very soon, we'll be introducing a new host to all of you. It's someone who shares

our obsession with true crime in the criminal mind, a dynamic storyteller with a perspective

we think you're really going to love. And before we launch into this next evolution, we wanted

to take a beat and revisit some of your favorite stories from the past eight years. Episodes that reflect the journey this show has taken while we get ready for something new.

Today we're going back to our 500th episode where we took a fresh new look at one of the most

notorious crimes we've ever covered.

Enjoy.

Due to the nature of this case, listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes discussions of murder, abuse, torture, kidnapping, self-harm, harm against minors, and sexual abuse of minors.

Consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen.

In the United States, jury duty is considered a civic responsibility, one that comes with very different stakes, depending upon the case.

In 1935, 12 men from Westchester County, New York were tasked with rendering a life or death verdict in a murder trial.

The crime was so shocking and the testimony so perverse that the judge chose to ban women from the courtroom for portions of the trial.

Witnesses felt the need to speak in euphemisms,

and people routinely broke out into tears

at the gruesome nature of the evidence presented.

But the jury's decision on whether to send the accused

to the electric chair didn't come down to,

...