There are cases that make people question everything they thought they knew about how justice works — and then there are cases like these. The names Brendan Dassey and Kimberly Long have been argued over in courtrooms, in living rooms, and in comment sections for years, by people who cannot let go of the nagging sense that something went terribly wrong. And wrapped around both of their stories is a question that researchers, attorneys, and psychologists have spent decades trying to answer — one that sounds simple until you really sit with it.

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IN THIS EPISODE: In 2007, a sixteen-year-old boy was tried and convicted as an adult for the assault and murder of a woman in Wisconsin. But is it possible that Brendan Dassey isn’t guilty as we were all led to believe? (Is Brendan Dassey Innocent?) *** After a night of bar-hopping, Ozzy Conde and girlfriend Kimberly Long got into an argument that ended up with Ozzy laying on the floor – dead. Kimberly was sent to prison. At least that’s the story the prosectors told. But Kimberly fought for years to try and convince people she was not a murderer. But was she? (Kimberly’s Long Struggle to Prove Her Innocence) *** The idea of someone breaking down and confessing to police that they committed a crime – when in actuality they did not do it – seems ludicrous to us. But it happens all the time. Why on earth would someone ever do such a thing? We’ll look a bit closer at how it happens. (Why Do The Innocent Confess?)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = Show Open
00:01:48.355 = Is Brendan Dassey Innocent?
00:13:49.474 = Kimberly’s Long Struggle To Prove Her Innocence ***
00:25:59.894 = Why Do The Innocent Confess? ***
00:33:46.093 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break
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SOURCES and RESOURCES:“Is Brendan Dassey Innocent?” by Colleen Conroy” for Unspeakable Crimes: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/yfvmdf9c
“Kimberly’s Long Struggle To Prove Her Innocence” by Maggie Clancy for Ranker: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/36dwdcuy
“Why Do The Innocent Confess?” by Lea Rose Emery for Unspeakable Crimes: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/bjtvenfv=====
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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Originally aired: August 04, 2021
EPISODE PAGE (includes sources): https://weirddarkness.com/TheConfessionTrap
ABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: #WeirdDarkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.