The Sleepwalking Killer? The Bizarre Case of Joseph Anthony Mitchell

Killer Queens: A True Crime Podcast

True Crime, Comedy

4.4 • 3K Ratings

🗓️ 8 July 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

TW: Child Murder In the early morning hours of September 22, 2010, Christine Perolini’s world was shattered when her 13-year-old daughter ran into her bedroom screaming, “Daddy’s trying to hurt us!” Minutes later, Christine’s 4-year-old son, Blake Mitchell, was unresponsive, and her husband, Joseph Anthony Mitchell, was barricaded in another room—covered in blood with self-inflicted stab wounds. Joseph admitted to killing Blake and trying to murder his two other children… but claimed he had no memory of any of it. His defense? He was sleepwalking. In this episode, we dive into the heartbreaking timeline, the chilling 911 call, the controversial trial, and the shocking verdict that left even the jury questioning what really happened that night. Was this the rare case of a “sleepwalking killer,” or something far more sinister? HUGE thanks to Madison who wrote and researched this episode! Want access to our first 45 episodes? Grab em here! We've made them available for free to anyone who signs up! Remember, these episodes were recorded when we had no idea what we were doing, so just keep that in mind. The audio isn't the quality we would want to put out now, but the cases are on point! Visit killerqueens.link/og to download and binge all the archived episodes today! Hang with us: Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Join our Case Discussion Group on Facebook Get Killer Queens Merch Bonus Episodes Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: HelloFresh: Sign up for HelloFresh at https://hellofresh.com/QUEENS10FM and get 10 free meals with a free item for life. Chewy: Chewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to https://chewy.com/queens. Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/QUEENS#rulapod © 2025 Killer Queens Podcast. All Rights ReservedAudio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by Sloane Williams of The Sophisticated Crayon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Rated T for Teen.
0:01.7	Each year, thousands of adults lose their shred.
0:05.1	It's an epidemic simply known as shred loss, but it doesn't have to be this way.
0:09.2	Because rekindling your shred is as easy as playing the new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4.
0:13.7	With new parks, cross-platform multiplayer, and sick new game modes,
0:18.9	we can put an end to shred loss everywhere.
0:22.2	Hit the new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 and show the world that the shred's not dead.
0:26.4	Pre-order Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 and play the foundry demo.
0:30.7	A dad murders his 4-year-old son. Then he claims he did it while he was sleepwalking.
0:36.5	His other two kids did survive the attack, and they testified against him.
0:41.0	Was this a horrifying parisomnia event, or was it a desperate excuse to cover up something darker?
1:02.9	Yeah. Today we are breaking down the case of Joseph Anthony.
1:06.2	Mitchell, hold on to your butts, guys.
1:07.4	This one is tough.
1:14.1	And trigger warning for child murder, which I already alluded to, but just want to make sure you understand.
1:15.7	This one is tough.
1:26.0	I have re-recorded this episode multiple times because I have sobbed so profoundly and so profusely that I could not continue.
1:30.3	So I'm going to try to do this today.
1:33.8	Best wishes to all of us.
1:36.3	And if you have to skip this one, I completely understand.
1:37.0	It's tough.
1:39.3	I'm not going to play the 911 call.
	...

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