This podcast details true crime cases.

It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.

It is not intended for children.

Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.

We're in the series Bad Teacher.

I share cases of educators who committed newsworthy crimes.

This time I'll tell you a story about a school administrator who was highly respected in

his community as a person who cared greatly for his students.

But a past history of rocky relationships, infidelity, and claims of domestic violence

would all be brought to bear when he was accused of a heinous and gruesome crime.

This is the second chapter in the series Bad Teacher, the case of Vincent Edward Brothers.

It was the 4th of July weekend, 2003, in Bakersfield, California.

Bakersfield, the largest city in Kern County, is known for its agricultural and oil production.

Situated well inland, in California's Central Valley, Bakersfield summers can be oppressively

hot, but that did not deter the Harper family from enjoying independent state festivities.

Joni Harper and her three children were visiting her good friend, Michelle Baptiste, who

invited them over for a barbecue.

The weather didn't cool down until well after sunset, and Joni had spent an enjoyable evening

having dinner and watching fireworks.

The women sat chatting in the backyard until almost 11 p.m.

By then, Joni's children, Marquez, age 4, and Lindsay Michelle, age 2, had dozed off

...