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An apartment complex hosts a big Halloween party with themed rooms and costumed partygoers. By the end of the night one of the party’s hosts is murdered. And the partygoers are the main suspects in the eyes of the police: was it the guy in the devil mask, the guy dressed as Jesus, the bank robber, the construction worker? As a complex investigation winds its way through forensic evidence, witness testimony, DNA, and even a psychic, the police zero in on one suspect in particular -- but why? From Campside Media and Wondery, the makers of Chameleon and the Shrink Next Door, comes SUSPECT. Matthew Shaer and Eric Benson (Over My Dead Body) return to the scene of the crime to uncover what happened, and speak with everyone about a party that still haunts them a decade later. It’s a series about cutting-edge science and mislaid justice, race and policing, and the kinds of weighty choices that cops and prosecutors make every day. Choices that, once made, are difficult to reverse.
Jerk move to only let us listen to the first 4 episodes before requiring a subscription. AND, if you’re going to share recorded conversations from participants in the story, at least tell us what they are saying. The recordings are no where close to understandable.
Too Woke
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Jill Zie
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2021-09-24
I got to Episode 6 and wanted to like this story and find out who murdered the young neighbor. However, the narrator made this story completely about the one black guy suspect. The narrator went on and on defending this suspect with the usual systemic racism in the police force. I thought it was way over the top because this particular guy raped an underage girl, was involved in pimping out women, drug arrests, gang affiliations, violating parole and a few other offenses. This is the trend now to just make excuses and downplay crimes because someone is a certain color. I thought this Podcast would be about the actual victim but it is not.
Perpetuates Rape Culture
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Meag_2012
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2021-09-24
I was interested until the discussion of suspect’s priors. It’s very disappointing to hear this host glass over Emmanuel’s rape of a 15 year old girl. It is emphasized that she dropped the complaint and insinuates that she only reported to begin with because of some sort of “regret.” She was 15 years old. I cannot fathom how difficult it would be to go forward with a rape complaint at 15. I was unable to do so as a 27 year old woman. When are we going to start believing women first? While black men in this country certainly have it bad, we can all agree black WOMEN and girls have it the worst. Do better, Wondery.
Downplaying the statutory rape of a 15 year old
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Joshua K Robinson
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2021-09-24
I was all in until mid-way through episode 4 where they make excuses for the criminal history of a suspect, simply due his skin color. Couple that with their downplaying of his admitted statutory rape of a 15 year old. Now, the victim says it was rape, that she never gave consent and was slapped and forced to have sex. He cut a deal to take the lesser charge of statutory rape. Any detective worth his weight in gold, would consider him a suspect in the case discussed in this podcast. We have issues in our country when it comes to race, but making that case here was a mistake and turned me off as a listener.
I have questions
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Catymuhlady
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2021-09-23
I rarely write a podcast review, but this podcast leaves me with questions that aren’t yet answered. I get that they want to point to racism as to why Emanuel was the suspect, but from what I took away from the episode released on 9/22/21, his DNA was found on the string of the victim’s tampon and on the underwear in her mouth at the crime scene. Is that not what happened? Was his DNA not on those items? Bc if it was, that’s pretty damning evidence right there. If he barely knew her and didn’t sleep with her, why was his DNA on those items? Investigators should be looking at him. I’m confused here. Maybe the podcast should do a listener Q&A.
Just tell the story
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Tp1083
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2021-09-23
Why can’t the journalist just tell the story without interjecting their own bias?? Let the listener form their own thoughts and opinion on the case. That’s what made season 1 of Serial so great- and what all these subsequent shows fail to do. Don’t decide for us.. just tell the story
Episodes out of order
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LEP100233
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2021-09-23
None of the episodes match their episode number. I clicked on episode one, only to find out 8-ish minutes in that it was episode 5. Clicking on episode 5 played episode 1. Clicking episode 4 played 2. So far, I have not been able to locate episode 3, as when I clicked on 3, it also played episode 5. Love the content, but want to be able to listen to it properly!
podcast and hosts should be ashamed
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mc24
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2021-09-23
All I can say is wow….
After getting to episode 4 when they start victim blaming the 15 year old rape victim to for their narrative and trying to write off the RAPE OF A CHILD as consensual sex because that is what the offender claimed…. Although he pulled a gun out to force her….
I stopped listening and hope no sexual assault victim has to listen to this for their sake.
This so called “journalists” should be removed from their jobs for this. Absolutely disgusting.
Touch me all the way to my soul
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1 real chic
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2021-09-23
I found this story by chance and I have been telling everyone that I know about it . I want to start by saying that I am so sorry for the young lady family, know one should have to live with the unknown. This story had me crying from start to finish. I cried because of the god awful crime and then I cried about the unjustified treatment of our young black men . I cry because he didn’t give up , I cried because the lawyer cried. Lol . I cried with each episode. I cried because this story touched me all the way to my soul. I wish I could just give him a big hug and tell him to trust in his self because he is strong. Thank you for this story
Got me back into crime podcast!
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shaynorty101
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2021-09-23
I was super into crime podcasts but then went through a phase where they got too gruesome. This podcast revamped me and 100% reminds me of when I first listened to serial. This gets me excited to wake up in the morning!
Charging
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truthfulbitch
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2021-09-22
The fact that Wondery will only allow you to listen if you pay now is so frustrating.
Well done
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Nic Liv
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2021-09-22
The people up in arms about the truths he touches on related to race are likely racists themselves, sooo, yea unless you’re a racist, this is a really great podcast!
Such an awesome podcast!
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Zaylin09
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2021-09-22
I absolutely love this podcast so much. It’s so interesting. It had me hooked from the first episode all the way to the last one. I highly recommend this particular show if you like crime. He made it so interesting but including the actual people to speak in it and real love interviews. Love this so much! And he makes it so interesting!
Political Bias
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AlpacaBusinessSecrets
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2021-09-22
This is a very interesting true crime story and told pretty well for the most part until you get into the political bias narrative regarding race. Tunnel vision is very common in many investigations. The suspect already had a sexual assault rap sheet, a lifetime of breaking the law and there was nothing in the investigation that pointed to racism at all. It’s obnoxious to listen to the narrator turn the story into something political.
Great work
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rebajg1989
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2021-09-21
Loving this. What is the song at the beginning?
Race bait
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SegaPun
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2021-09-21
Blame ‘‘why-pipo’
Had a chance
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Bruinswin11
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2021-09-21
Could of been great if not for the obvious virtue signaling with the police being the racist bad guy. Couldn’t of been the black man that had a violent criminal record as well as a conviction for raping a 15 year old. Why would he be a suspect? This guy also basically says the “cops didn’t stop him for walking with a guy that had a handgun in his hand it was because he was a person of color.” Laughable.
Boo Your Subscription Model
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Ethan bish
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2021-09-20
Nice bait and switch with the first episodes free then forcing a subscription to finish.
Cameron called her “it”
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Dianimal911
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2021-09-20
This is great story telling, and I hope there is a just resolution. I live in the area and do not remember her murder. I just started episode 4. I take 911 calls and have NEVER heard someone refer to an unconscious person or possibly deceased person as “it”. Cameron said that on the 911 call didn’t he? Maybe that will come up later in the series. God rest her lovely soul.
Great but they had to bring in social political topics
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SkelzaD
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2021-09-20
I would have rated this 5 stars over and over with how great this was written and told. The case is interesting and the narrator really caught my attention the first episode. What I didn’t appreciate were the indications that the officers were racially motivated when identifying suspects - someone with a past history of sexual assault and rape is enough to make someone a suspect - Race does not matter. Research data has shown that previous sex offenders are more likely to commit other sexual offenses - that isn’t race, it is data. Shame that they have to push the racial agenda.
Blatantly biased, minimizes rape and sexual assault
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unsat 1341
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2021-09-20
I was hoping for an unbiased telling of this horrific event which should be told. However, by the end of the first episode the bias against the investigators becomes apparent, and by the end of the fourth episode it is blatant.
The host goes out way out of his way to minimize Emanuel’s sex offenses (rape) of the then 15-year-old victim as simply “alleged” charges; and dismissed the fact that Emanuel was once arrested for drug possession while with another suspect found carrying a firearm; and then he can’t understand why officers would arrest him at gun point by “pointing their guns at his chest.”
This is nothing more than boring, biased, convoluted fact twisting to cast a negative light on the investigators.
So well done!
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AngEriksen
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2021-09-19
Great writing, story telling, narration and true crime balanced with a telling example of how effed and widespread our social justice system is for those who are black, brown or economically disadvantaged. Impressive and interesting.
Don’t Bait and Switch- This is a Scam
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Smooth d tickle
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2021-09-19
This show stinks. They want money and don’t make that known right away. This is a scam. Also, this woke garbage is tiring. This is awful, don’t waste your time. Listen to The King and The Sting, or The Pod. Waaaay better.
Level headed listeners only I guess
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starshine13
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2021-09-19
If you think discussion of race and police procedure is political this is not for you. While the subject of this podcast is guilty of rape in the past the whole point of this podcast is examining the Halloween party murder and the missteps taken during that investigation and how being innocent until proven guilty isn’t a status afforded to everyone. While I feel for the earlier teenaged victim and Arpana’s family I still agree overall with the host of this podcast. And Emmanuel served his time for his teen victim. It shouldn’t overshadow Cameron’s sketchy behavior. If they had investigated both men the same way I’d have less to say but come on. The way Cameron walked away unscathed is such clear bias.
Can’t it just be for entertainment? Ruined it for me!
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HKVP9
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2021-09-19
Disappointed, but not surprised that you had to make it political. Leave your personal bias out!!!
Started off great….then episode 4
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#juststop/yourtheproblwm
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2021-09-19
This podcast started of great!!! Then I got to episode 4. Shameful how you down opted the RAPE of a 15 year old girl!!! It’s not police bias if you ARE breaking the law!!!!
A great podcast about a tragic murder, wrong conviction, questionable evidence
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Shellroc
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2021-09-19
Worth a listen. You can draw your own conclusions regardless of the author’s as some other reviewers call it “bias”.
It’s definitely NOT political. It certainly is about criminal justice.
Hopeful
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Bloss0m23
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2021-09-19
This was a very good podcast. I still am in awe of how the police were so “don’t remember anything”. They could not answer questions of why and how they came to arrest the wrong person. So sad that he spend those years in jail when the real killer is on the loose. Thank you for shedding light on this story.
Best true crime podcast out there. Period.
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Cambridge19833
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2021-09-18
The author hooks you from the very first episode and it’s nearly impossible to stop listening. This is top tier true crime journalism and production at its finest.
Political- disgusting
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Krystal Rues
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2021-09-18
This story was interesting until it was clear the narrator’s motives. Shame on you for pushing a false narrative.
Just listen
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TXPatriot411
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2021-09-18
Read the other reviews and you’ll see a lot of whining from the blue lives matter/trump crowd. My suggestion is to listen with open ears, and make your own decisions about the story - Just because you don’t want it to be true doesn’t mean it’s not
Thirst trap for true crime.
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Cruella77
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2021-09-18
I don’t mind ads. Don’t get me addicted to the show to only have to buy a subscription after 3 shows
Read the other reviews
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nayso viejo
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2021-09-18
Seriously
Ignores victim to tell sensational story
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hermitlady
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2021-09-17
This starts out strong with great production values. Episode four it becomes obvious that telling the story the narrator wishes to tell is more important than the story. The rape of a teen girl is minimized in an appalling manner—she does not owe you an interview to be respected. Maybe Fair is guilty of the murder or not, but a registered sex offender who is in violation of parole is a legitimate suspect not a harassed bystander.
Great podcast
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hjortians
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2021-09-17
Great podcast about a horrible murder, the value of DNA evidence, and making the evidence fit your suspect instead of having the evidence lead to a suspect.
Really easy to buy into podcaster’s story
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m1ka0
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2021-09-17
I believe in institutionalized racism. It is real. But a 15 year old got raped and the host left an odd sense of skepticism around her accusation. He was a rapist, not reporting his address, hiding from a warrant with a mugging with a gun in his history? He got suspected because he demonstrated he didn’t respect the law and the rights of others.
Jeff is an idiot and I actually think he should have been acquitted since there was a significant lack of evidence. No, it wasn’t a lack of motive, Erin! It was because the police showed complete incompetence in ruling out other suspects. They didn’t investigate.
This was a painful listen with misunderstanding all around. The only people I agreed with were the 2 women jurors. Erin, why did Cameron drive to Canada!?! Jesus this is a mess.
allison dubois from rhobh?!
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hfhnvrthvfhkoijinbgfxfghj
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2021-09-17
tell me the pd in this case did not consult allison dubois aka the “medium” who vaped & was totally unhinged in that real housewives of bev hills ep!! 💀😂
Political
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jkaisers1982
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2021-09-17
When it becomes political i’m out.
Clearly not about the murder victim.
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Laurenbcraig
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2021-09-17
I was hooked enough in the first few episodes that I bought the subscription. Now I’m turning it off halfway through episode 6. It’s clear this is a very biased view from the journalist that actually makes me feel horrible for the family. I bet they were hoping this could help shed light in some way for their daughter.. instead it’s about how of COURSE the entire police force is racist because they had a suspect CONVICTING OF RAPING A CHILD, on their list… but he was black so it’s obViousLy about race. I am a very open person, but this was way too strongly biased for me. Report accurately. Will be revoking my subscription.
Compelling
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JRRRGGG
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2021-09-17
The one thing that bothers me about this-small thing-is in the 911 call.
Cameron calls Arpana ‘it’. Talking about finding her to the 911 operator -‘I didn’t go near it’.
Suspect?
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Retroranch
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2021-09-17
You lost my respect when you minimized a 15 year old rape victim’s assault to fit a racial bias narrative. There were many missteps here, but I expected the facts of the story to be laid out in an unbiased approach. Attempting to minimize a criminal record (firing a weapon in a group home, sexual assault) is not journalism.
Host’s overly dramatic tone of voice is intolerable.
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Reviewer number 10001
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2021-09-17
The host’s overly dramatic tone of voice ruined it for me. Could be an interesting podcast, but can’t get past his injection weepy emotion into his delivery. Not a fan of Wondery podcasts in general.
Twilight Zone
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dougparsons23
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2021-09-17
I’m still trying to figure out why you want me to feel sorry for a guy who’s a drug addict, drug dealer, convicted rapist of a minor and carries an unlicensed firearm to commit crimes? Are we in the twilight zone lol this kind of content is only going to gas light more hate and division
Don’t waste your time
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Hecht f Sc Be Ed
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2021-09-17
It was good until episode 4. Then it goes into full blown “wokeness.” Sorry, I’m not interested in the host’s opinions. It’s unfortunate because this is a story that should be heard.
A Waste
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Youtubeguruboylovergirlofcolor
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2021-09-17
The host’s bias makes this podcast ridiculous.
Not objective journalism
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hjjjjksjdkzkkoslls
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2021-09-16
This started strong, interesting story. However, once episode four hit the journalist just made everything fit a narrative.I wish he would have just reported the facts and not his own political ideologies. I am no longer listening to this podcast.
Great podcast!
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olivinha12
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2021-09-16
Arpana’s killer is free, which is terrible and no justice for her family. Emanuel served a 10 year sentence for a crime he did not commit…really unfair and wrong.
I felt really bad for Emanuel!
I hope one day the real killer is arrested!
“The creature”
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goshgolly
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2021-09-16
What an incredible story, but I feel as though there was too much time focused on “the creature” and “Jersey Devil.” I’ve lost interest in the story of the crime.
Ridiculous
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mwhitney9736826272
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2021-09-16
I had to bail out when you started blaming racial profiling for the police bringing in A RAPIST to talk about a murdered girl.
You’re passing this off as journalism. Most people want their journalists to have at least one foot in reality.
Gripping, great investigating and reporting
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jenniferwbpar
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2021-09-16
This is also a disturbing view into how fairly flawed are criminal justice system is such as how jurors can be blatantly simple minded and racist.I hope that Emmanuel is able to heal his PTSD through really good trauma therapy.The state should be paying for that.
