Sword and Scale
436 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 58.9K ratingsSword and Scale is a true crime podcast covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it. The first episode launched January 1st, 2014 and feature stories of murder, abduction, rape, and even more bizarre forms of crime. It’s the purest form of true-crime where the raw uncensored audio tells the story. Everything from 911 calls to court testimony, interviews with victims and sometimes with perpetrators give listeners a 360 degree look at the seedy underbelly of human nature and so-called civilized society. Told from an everyman's point of view, Sword and Scale goes beyond the news clips and the sensationalist headlines to hold up a mirror to the audience and ask, "Is it us versus them? Or are we just like 'them' too?" Sword and scale proves that the worst monsters are real.
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Episodes
S7 Episode 176
December 20, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 62.2 MBWe’re all looking forward to retirement, when we can finally cash out all of our hard-earned savings and live off of it until we die. That’s the hope, at least. Joel Guy Senior and his wife Lisa Guy had just sold their house in Knoxville Tennessee and were preparing to move to a new home in Surgoinsville in December of 2016. They had no idea that Thanksgiving of 2016 would not only be the last holiday celebrated at their old Knoxville home, but it would be the last holiday they’d ever celebra...
S7 Episode 175
December 05, 2020 22:29 - 1 hour - 88 MBClark Fredericks was born with a hole in his heart. 46 years later, he was arrested for repeatedly stabbing and killing a retired police lieutenant in the small town of Stillwater, New Jersey. What led Clark to commit such a violent act, and why would he tell us that silence is our worst enemy? Believe it or not, we can all learn a thing or two from the life that confessed killer Clark Fredericks has endured. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Episode 175
December 05, 2020 22:29 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBClark Fredericks was born with a hole in his heart. 46 years later, he was arrested for repeatedly stabbing and killing a retired police lieutenant in the small town of Stillwater, New Jersey. What led Clark to commit such a violent act, and why would he tell us that silence is our worst enemy? Believe it or not, we can all learn a thing or two from the life that confessed killer Clark Fredericks has endured.
Episode 174
November 23, 2020 05:30 - 1 hour - 72 MBTrouble in the Amato household began brewing in the summer of 2018, when Grant Amato, the youngest son, developed an addiction to one particular webcam model. Her name is Ady Sweet. Day and night, Grant was watching the live shows Ady streamed. These shows weren’t cheap, and Grant built an entire false persona to gain Ady’s attention. All of his lies were at the expense of his family’s finances and wellbeing. It all came to an end on January 24th, 2019.
S7 Episode 174
November 23, 2020 05:30 - 1 hour - 76.1 MBTrouble in the Amato household began brewing in the summer of 2018, when Grant Amato, the youngest son, developed an addiction to one particular webcam model. Her name is Ady Sweet. Day and night, Grant was watching the live shows Ady streamed. These shows weren’t cheap, and Grant built an entire false persona to gain Ady’s attention. All of his lies were at the expense of his family’s finances and wellbeing. It all came to an end on January 24th, 2019. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/p...
S7 Episode 173
November 08, 2020 13:19 - 1 hour - 62 MBWe move people who commit crimes far away from our society so they don’t harm anyone else… but many of those criminals will eventually serve their sentences and return to civilian life. Who is worthy of our grace and mercy? And what happens when the wrong person is forgiven? Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 173
November 08, 2020 13:19 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBWe move people who commit crimes far away from our society so they don’t harm anyone else… but many of those criminals will eventually serve their sentences and return to civilian life. Who is worthy of our grace and mercy? And what happens when the wrong person is forgiven?
S7 +PLUS 79 - FREE PREVIEW!!!
October 30, 2020 21:24 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBThis is the story of how Shasta Groene was abducted by pedophile Joseph Duncan in Idaho and held captive for 7 weeks along with her brother Dylan. Both were emotionally, physically, and sexually tortured before Shasta was discovered in a Denny’s restaurant. How was a tiny, 8 year old girl able to make it back alive after enduring torture and witnessing gruesome murders? Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
+PLUS 79 - FREE PREVIEW!!!
October 30, 2020 21:24 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBThis is the story of how Shasta Groene was abducted by pedophile Joseph Duncan in Idaho and held captive for 7 weeks along with her brother Dylan. Both were emotionally, physically, and sexually tortured before Shasta was discovered in a Denny’s restaurant. How was a tiny, 8 year old girl able to make it back alive after enduring torture and witnessing gruesome murders? Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 Episode 172
October 26, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 64.2 MBChild abuse can take many forms and most of the time isn’t obvious. In rare cases it is near impossible to detect. In the special case of Olivia Gant and her mother, Kelly Turner, the signs were there but Kelly was adept at hiding them or convincing those that suspected something that it wasn’t the case. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 172
October 26, 2020 03:00 - 1 hour - 64.5 MBChild abuse can take many forms and most of the time isn’t obvious. In rare cases it is near impossible to detect. In the special case of Olivia Gant and her mother, Kelly Turner, the signs were there but Kelly was adept at hiding them or convincing those that suspected something that it wasn’t the case.
+PLUS 78 - FREE PREVIEW!!!
October 17, 2020 20:10 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBOn August 2nd, 2016, 30-year-old speech pathologist Karina Vetrano left her home to go for a late-afternoon jog through Spring Creek Park in Howard Beach, Queens. When she didn’t return, a lengthy police investigation and two murder trials would follow, revealing a strange motive rooted in misdirected anger and pure rage. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 +PLUS 78 - FREE PREVIEW!!!
October 17, 2020 20:10 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBOn August 2nd, 2016, 30-year-old speech pathologist Karina Vetrano left her home to go for a late-afternoon jog through Spring Creek Park in Howard Beach, Queens. When she didn’t return, a lengthy police investigation and two murder trials would follow, revealing a strange motive rooted in misdirected anger and pure rage. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S7 Episode 171
October 12, 2020 01:31 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBWe all know by now that there are good cops, and there are very bad cops. On December 29th, 2009, Kevin Gregson and Eric Czapnik showed the world exactly which roles they filled. Both men wanted so desperately to become members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but the ultimate end to each of their careers was distinctly different. One man is now celebrated by the entire country of Canada, while the other is despised. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener...
Episode 171
October 12, 2020 01:31 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBWe all know by now that there are good cops, and there are very bad cops. On December 29th, 2009, Kevin Gregson and Eric Czapnik showed the world exactly which roles they filled. Both men wanted so desperately to become members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but the ultimate end to each of their careers was distinctly different. One man is now celebrated by the entire country of Canada, while the other is despised.
Episode 170
September 21, 2020 17:45 - 58 minutes - 54.1 MBThe world had a conniption when news headlines announced “Kevin Bacon-Murdered!” just before the new year. As more details came out, it was clear that the victim of this murder was not the actor known for the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game. The man who was murdered was a hairdresser from Swartz Creek, Michigan, and an LGBTQ+ advocate. What happened to Kevin was gruesome and shocking that it got the attention of YouTuber Jeffree Star, catapulting the story to mainstream news outlets.
S7 Episode 170
September 21, 2020 17:45 - 58 minutes - 53.7 MBThe world had a conniption when news headlines announced “Kevin Bacon-Murdered!” just before the new year. As more details came out, it was clear that the victim of this murder was not the actor known for the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” game. The man who was murdered was a hairdresser from Swartz Creek, Michigan, and an LGBTQ+ advocate. What happened to Kevin was gruesome and shocking that it got the attention of YouTuber Jeffree Star, catapulting the story to mainstream news outlets. Join ...
S7 Episode 169
August 28, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBWe take a break from the standard Sword and Scale format to chat about the current state of law enforcement with ex-police officer and judge Charles Adams from The Truth with Charles Adams on KPRC 950 AM and iHeartRadio. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 169
August 28, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 62 MBWe take a break from the standard Sword and Scale format to chat about the current state of law enforcement with ex-police officer and judge Charles Adams from The Truth with Charles Adams on KPRC 950 AM and iHeartRadio.
S7 Episode 168
August 16, 2020 15:55 - 1 hour - 67.3 MBWe often think of true-crime from the perspective of law enforcement trying valiantly to pursue the perpetrator and make them face the justice system. Have you ever considered what it would be like if you were in the hot seat? What if you were the suspect in an awful crime? What if there never really was a crime committed in the first place? William Hurt and his family were dragged through the justice system back in 2012 as part of a wild goose chase. Their journey still hasn’t concluded. Jo...
Episode 168
August 16, 2020 15:55 - 1 hour - 67.6 MBWe often think of true-crime from the perspective of law enforcement trying valiantly to pursue the perpetrator and make them face the justice system. Have you ever considered what it would be like if you were in the hot seat? What if you were the suspect in an awful crime? What if there never really was a crime committed in the first place? William Hurt and his family were dragged through the justice system back in 2012 as part of a wild goose chase. Their journey still hasn’t concluded.
S7 Episode 167
August 02, 2020 23:32 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBThe lives of Kevin and Marina Krim were forever changed on October 25th, 2012. All of New York City was suddenly rethinking their caregivers. “Is the person taking care of mom, dad, the dog, or the baby actually safe? What are the chances we could unknowingly hire a lunatic?” It could happen to anyone. The Krim family was unlucky. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 167
August 02, 2020 23:32 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBThe lives of Kevin and Marina Krim were forever changed on October 25th, 2012. All of New York City was suddenly rethinking their caregivers. “Is the person taking care of mom, dad, the dog, or the baby actually safe? What are the chances we could unknowingly hire a lunatic?” It could happen to anyone. The Krim family was unlucky.
S7 Episode 166
July 19, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 66.3 MBJuly of 2016 was a bad month in Bend, Oregon. Isabel Ponce Lara woke up one morning to her husband, Edwin Lara, acting very strangely. The events that would follow over the next 2 days changed her life forever. Isabel’s life would not be the only one turned upside down. 5 families in total would be absolutely traumatized by Edwin Lara’s choices. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 166
July 19, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 65.3 MBJuly of 2016 was a bad month in Bend, Oregon. Isabel Ponce Lara woke up one morning to her husband, Edwin Lara, acting very strangely. The events that would follow over the next 2 days changed her life forever. Isabel’s life would not be the only one turned upside down. 5 families in total would be absolutely traumatized by Edwin Lara’s choices.
Episode 165
June 29, 2020 03:30 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBFreedom of speech and religion are two foundational parts of what this nation has to offer. They’re important to us and when we feel they’re being infringed upon, Americans speak up. What happens when freedom of religion directly causes harm to someone though? Are there limits to this freedom? Seth Welch found that there are hard limits. Not every state cracks down on how freedom of religion can put children in direct danger, but Michigan does.
S7 Episode 165
June 29, 2020 03:30 - 56 minutes - 51.3 MBFreedom of speech and religion are two foundational parts of what this nation has to offer. They’re important to us and when we feel they’re being infringed upon, Americans speak up. What happens when freedom of religion directly causes harm to someone though? Are there limits to this freedom? Seth Welch found that there are hard limits. Not every state cracks down on how freedom of religion can put children in direct danger, but Michigan does. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See ...
S7 Episode 164
June 15, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 55 MBOrange County California has seen its fair share of bizarre crimes. When Sam Herr, a decorated combat veteran is nowhere to be found and his best friend Julie Kibuishi is discovered dead in Sam’s apartment, police are quick to begin a manhunt. As the investigation continues, more bizarre details begin to emerge, leaving the entire county stunned. The many people affected by this case have learned, if nothing else, that you never truly know who someone is, or what goes through their mind. Jo...
Episode 164
June 15, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBOrange County California has seen its fair share of bizarre crimes. When Sam Herr, a decorated combat veteran is nowhere to be found and his best friend Julie Kibuishi is discovered dead in Sam’s apartment, police are quick to begin a manhunt. As the investigation continues, more bizarre details begin to emerge, leaving the entire county stunned. The many people affected by this case have learned, if nothing else, that you never truly know who someone is, or what goes through their mind.
S7 Episode 163
June 01, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 64 MB8-year-old Isabella Cipriano woke up in the middle of the night in April of 2012 to find that her father, mother, and brother were being attacked in the family home in Farmington Hills, Michigan. On the surface, this seemed to be a random home invasion, until Isabella saw the perpetrator. The truth behind who committed these atrocities, and why, would cause pain for the Cipriano family that may take longer to heal than their many physical scars. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See...
Episode 163
June 01, 2020 03:30 - 1 hour - 64.4 MB8-year-old Isabella Cipriano woke up in the middle of the night in April of 2012 to find that her father, mother, and brother were being attacked in the family home in Farmington Hills, Michigan. On the surface, this seemed to be a random home invasion, until Isabella saw the perpetrator. The truth behind who committed these atrocities, and why, would cause pain for the Cipriano family that may take longer to heal than their many physical scars.
S7 Episode 162
May 18, 2020 03:00 - 57 minutes - 53 MBRyan Lawrence appeared to be a caring and dutiful father, taking his 21-month-old daughter Maddox with him as he delivered pastries throughout Syracuse, New York, and holding her hand through a rare form of cancer she was diagnosed with before her first birthday. But unbeknownst to everyone, an even more terrible storm is gathering on the horizon. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 162
May 18, 2020 03:00 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBRyan Lawrence appeared to be a caring and dutiful father, taking his 21-month-old daughter Maddox with him as he delivered pastries throughout Syracuse, New York, and holding her hand through a rare form of cancer she was diagnosed with before her first birthday. But unbeknownst to everyone, an even more terrible storm is gathering on the horizon.
S7 Episode 161
May 04, 2020 02:09 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBOn May 6th, 2013, Sharlene Bosma watched as her husband Tim pulled away from their house on a test drive with two strange men, never to return again. Finding the mysterious kidnappers will only be part of the struggle. Finding out what happened to Tim Bosma will lead to the most gruesome discovery of all. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 161
May 04, 2020 02:09 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBOn May 6th, 2013, Sharlene Bosma watched as her husband Tim pulled away from their house on a test drive with two strange men, never to return again. Finding the mysterious kidnappers will only be part of the struggle. Finding out what happened to Tim Bosma will lead to the most gruesome discovery of all.
S7 Episode 160
April 23, 2020 00:21 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBNever before have so many of us been forcibly cooped up in our houses for this length of time. COVID-19 has shaken up our routines and our state of mind. During this quarantine, we’ve seen an increase in drug and alcohol consumption, in stress-levels and exacerbated mental illness, loneliness, hopelessness, all of the things that breed conflict. In this episode, we’re starting with a broad scope, talking about all of the attempted acts of domestic terrorism happening on the outside while we s...
Episode 160 - COVID CRIMES
April 23, 2020 00:21 - 1 hour - 70.9 MBNever before have so many of us been forcibly cooped up in our houses for this length of time. COVID-19 has shaken up our routines and our state of mind. During this quarantine, we’ve seen an increase in drug and alcohol consumption, in stress-levels and exacerbated mental illness, loneliness, hopelessness, all of the things that breed conflict. In this episode, we’re starting with a broad scope, talking about all of the attempted acts of domestic terrorism happening on the outside ...
Episode 160
April 23, 2020 00:21 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBNever before have so many of us been forcibly cooped up in our houses for this length of time. COVID-19 has shaken up our routines and our state of mind. During this quarantine, we’ve seen an increase in drug and alcohol consumption, in stress-levels and exacerbated mental illness, loneliness, hopelessness, all of the things that breed conflict. In this episode, we’re starting with a broad scope, talking about all of the attempted acts of domestic terrorism happening on the outside while we s...
S7 Episode 159
April 20, 2020 04:30 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBThe quiet seclusion of rural Maine gives many people a feeling of solace but sometimes the isolation can fracture a person’s psyche. The rural town of Winthrop, Maine had never seen a murder case like the one on Halloween 2016. Andrew Balcer, a minor, accused of murdering his parents… and the reason would surprise everyone even Andrew. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 159
April 20, 2020 04:30 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBThe quiet seclusion of rural Maine gives many people a feeling of solace but sometimes the isolation can fracture a person’s psyche. The rural town of Winthrop, Maine had never seen a murder case like the one on Halloween 2016. Andrew Balcer, a minor, accused of murdering his parents… and the reason would surprise everyone even Andrew.
S7 Episode 158
March 26, 2020 18:59 - 1 hour - 60.2 MBCitizens of Bakersfield California were in for a crazy day on December 10, 2016. The public events of this day would result in a police chase, and two deaths, eventually a third. Manuel Vela was no stranger to dealing with the law, and resisting arrest almost every single time. Beating on his woman was not an unknown pastime for him. He spent his entire life in and out of juvenile homes and eventually prison, but his final crimes against his fiance would be beyond any act of violence he had ...
Episode 158
March 26, 2020 18:59 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBCitizens of Bakersfield California were in for a crazy day on December 10, 2016. The public events of this day would result in a police chase, and two deaths, eventually a third.Manuel Vela was no stranger to dealing with the law, and resisting arrest almost every single time. Beating on his woman was not an unknown pastime for him. He spent his entire life in and out of juvenile homes and eventually prison, but his final crimes against his fiance would be beyond any act of violence he had co...
S7 Episode 157
March 16, 2020 04:30 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBWho do we blame when an innocent 8-year-old boy is brutally murdered in a stranger’s kitchen? In this particular case, fingers are pointed in every direction. The cut-and-dry cases of random abduction and murder are terrible and tragic, yet simple. The murder of Markie Mason, however, is anything but simple. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Episode 157
March 16, 2020 04:30 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBWho do we blame when an innocent 8-year-old boy is brutally murdered in a stranger’s kitchen? In this particular case, fingers are pointed in every direction. The cut-and-dry cases of random abduction and murder are terrible and tragic, yet simple. The murder of Markie Mason, however, is anything but simple.
S7 Episode 156
March 01, 2020 17:02 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBThe United States has experienced a slew of mass murders in recent years, but the two mass shootings that occurred within 14 hours of each other in August of 2019 have made a big impact on a society that is becoming more complacent by the day. The 24-hour news cycle consistently seems to have a negative effect on the frequency of these mass shootings as well as the continued desensitization of our society. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Episode 156
March 01, 2020 17:02 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBThe United States has experienced a slew of mass murders in recent years, but the two mass shootings that occurred within 14 hours of each other in August of 2019 have made a big impact on a society that is becoming more complacent by the day. The 24-hour news cycle consistently seems to have a negative effect on the frequency of these mass shootings as well as the continued desensitization of our society.
S7 Episode 155
February 15, 2020 20:04 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBWe’re back with the riveting conclusion to the tale of Ezra McCandless and her claims of repeated sexual victimization. To understand the many facets of this case, you absolutely must go back and listen to part 1 before you listen to this episode. We ended part 1 with some final details about Ezra’s love triangle with Jason Mengel and Alex Woodworth, and all of her many rape allegations against the men in her life, but we still don’t know what happened to Alex on March 22, 2018. Ezra is the ...
Episode 155
February 15, 2020 20:04 - 59 minutes - 54.4 MBWe’re back with the riveting conclusion to the tale of Ezra McCandless and her claims of repeated sexual victimization. To understand the many facets of this case, you absolutely must go back and listen to part 1 before you listen to this episode.We ended part 1 with some final details about Ezra’s love triangle with Jason Mengel and Alex Woodworth, and all of her many rape allegations against the men in her life, but we still don’t know what happened to Alex on March 22, 2018. Ezra is the on...
Episode 154
February 02, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBEzra McCandless wove a web of complicated relationships for herself, getting involved romantically with many of the men in her coffee-shop clique in a hipster Wisconsin college town. Things were going well for her until they weren’t, and one person in the exclusive friend group ended up dead.
S7 Episode 154
February 02, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBEzra McCandless wove a web of complicated relationships for herself, getting involved romantically with many of the men in her coffee-shop clique in a hipster Wisconsin college town. Things were going well for her until they weren’t, and one person in the exclusive friend group ended up dead. Join +PLUS: http://swordandscale.com/plus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.