Huddled Masses tells stories from the heart of America. Politics, culture, crime and human rights are all tackled by award-winning journalist Alex Hannaford and producer Pete Sale.
S3 Ep8: S3: The Innocents - John Hardin (Proclaim Justice co-founder)
For the final episode to the series, Alex talks to John Hardin about what motivated him to dedicate his life to freeing the wrongfully convicted. John also talks about some of the inmates they believe to be innocent and are currently helping, and has some advice for any listeners wanting to get involved with supporting them.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
28 Dec 2020
S3 Ep7: S3: The Innocents - Juan Melendez
Juan Melendez tells Alex about spending nearly 18 years on death row for the murder of Delbert Baker in Florida. Juan was innocent of the crime, and despite having an alibi for the time of the murder, he was prosecuted using the testimony of a known criminal. Juan talks about the use of the electric chair in Florida and the pain of losing friends he had made on death row when their time came to be executed.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
18 Dec 2020
S3 Ep6: S3: The Innocents - Sabrina Butler Smith
In this episode, Alex talks to Sabrina Butler Smith, the first woman to be exonerated and freed from death row in the United States. Sabrina was sentenced to death for the murder of her baby son Walter. After he stopped breathing, she had rushed him to hospital. Walter died the next day and Sabrina was arrested due to the bruises left by her resuscitation attempts. Eight years later, after a retrial, she was released from prison, and today, Sabrina campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty and is still trying to get Walter's official cause of death changed from 'murder'.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
11 Dec 2020
S3 Ep5: S3: The Innocents - Daniel Villegas
Daniel Villegas tells Alex his tragic story of spending 18 years in prison for the shooting of two young men in El Paso - a crime he didn't commit. Daniel was forced to confess by detectives, and he was convicted of murder despite immediately recanting his confession. He tells Alex about his first few years in prison in which he was forced by prison guards to take part in “gladiatorial” fights with other inmates.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford and produced by Peter Sale.
4 Dec 2020
S3 Ep4: S3: The Innocents - Anna Vasquez
Alex speaks to Anna Vasquez — one of the so-called San Antonio Four — about being wrongly convicted for the brutal gang rape of two children. This was during the 'Satanic Panic' era and the story was front page news. Anna spent nearly 13 years in prison — and it took many more to finally clear her name.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
27 Nov 2020
S3 Ep3: S3: The Innocents - Tim Howard
Alex speaks to Tim Howard about spending 19 years behind bars - nearly 15 of them on Death Row - for the murder of his best friend. Contaminated evidence was used to convict Tim and there were strong accusations of racial bias.
At his second trial in 2015, a compromise verdict was reached: acquittal of all capital and first-degree charges, but conviction on the second-degree charges. Tim was forced to spend two more years in prison. He has always maintained his innocence.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
20 Nov 2020
S3 Ep2: S3: The Innocents - Hannah Overton
Alex speaks to Hannah Overton, the quiet, church-going woman who was sentenced to life in prison for the death of her foster son. She was accused of forcing him to eat salt as a punishment for bad behavior. It's a bizarre and tragic story, and Hannah was released on appeal after 7 years in prison — when new evidence made it clear that no crime had actually taken place.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
13 Nov 2020
S3 Ep1: S3: The Innocents - Jason Baldwin
Alex speaks to Jason Baldwin — one of the West Memphis Three — about the 18 years he spent in a maximum security prison, convicted for a murder he didn't commit. He was only released in 2011 when he and his co-defendants agreed to take an Alford Plea — a guilty plea in which they could proclaim their innocence, but admit the prosecution had enough evidence to prove their guilt. It was a decision that would profoundly impact what 'freedom' meant for Jason to this day.
The Innocents is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
Check out Proclaim Justice: http://proclaimjustice.org/ (http://proclaimjustice.org/)
And Jail Guitar Doors: https://www.jailguitardoors.org/ (https://www.jailguitardoors.org/)
Thanks to our advertisers for this episode, stamps.com (http://stamps.com) and helixsleep.com (http://helixsleep.com)
5 Nov 2020
S2 Ep10: S3: START HERE: Introducing The Innocents
Alex and Pete are here with details of the new series of Huddled Masses. Fans of true crime will be pleased to hear they're back with more criminal justice stories.
27 Oct 2020
S2 Ep9: S2: Battleground - Power of the Evangelical Church
In the final episode of Battleground, Alex speaks to Lindsey Kane about being kicked out of the evangelical church and the trauma of having the only world she knew turn against her.
They also discuss the reasons why evangelicals have previously backed Trump and how evangelicalism effects other areas of the culture war.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
26 Oct 2020
S2 Ep8: S2: Battleground - Immigration and Trump's Border Wall
Alex talks to Jose Genis, one of the leaders of a group called Aguilas del Desierto or “Eagles of the Desert.” Jose tells Alex about his work searching for the remains of migrants who died trying to cross into the US, plus his experiences of racism since Trump took office. He also gives his views on what he'd like to see happen with immigration policy in the future.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
22 Oct 2020
S2 Ep7: S2: Battleground - Climate Crisis and the Culture of Denial
Alex speaks to Dr. Victoria Herrmann - President of The Arctic Institute- about California Wildfires, the immediate climate crisis and the US environmental record under Trump. They also look at the culture of climate denial and the historic role of oil companies in this.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (https://alexhannaford.pressfolios.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
19 Oct 2020
S2 Ep6: S2: Battleground - Guns and the 2nd Amendment
In this episode Alex talks to Scott Lewis, formerly Texas legislative director of 'Students for Concealed Carry on Campus' and a strong 2nd Amendment supporter, about solutions to America's gun violence problem and where guns fit into the culture divide.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
15 Oct 2020
S2 Ep5: S2: Battleground - The Fight for Transgender Rights
Alex talks to transgender rights activist Meghan Stabler about the fight for LGBTQ equality under Donald Trump — a major part of the so-called "culture wars." She also shares with Alex her own personal journey of transition and how this impacted her children.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
12 Oct 2020
S2 Ep4: S2: Battleground - Searching for the Republican Party's Soul
Alex speaks to former George W Bush strategist Stuart Stevens about how he - and many former Republicans - have turned their back on the party in a effort to stop Donald Trump getting re-elected. They discuss what will happen to both the GOP and 'Trumpism' if the president loses the election.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
8 Oct 2020
S2 Ep3: S2: Battleground - George Floyd and Black Lives Matter
Alex speaks to Black rights campaigner and human rights attorney Nana Gyamfi. They discuss why America has become so divided under Trump's presidency, the aftermath of George Floyd's death and how race will influence the election.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (https://alexhannaford.pressfolios.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
5 Oct 2020
S2 Ep2: S2: Battleground - Politics of the Pandemic
Alex speaks to leading emergency room physician and epidemiologist Dr Craig Spencer, about dealing with misinformation during the Covid crisis and what this tells us about a divided America. They also discuss Craig's time working in a New York hospital at the height of the pandemic.
Battleground is presented by Alex Hannaford (http://www.alexhannaford.com/) and produced by Peter Sale (https://www.petersale.co.uk/)
29 Sept 2020
S2 Ep1: S2: START HERE: Introducing Battleground
The Dead Man Talking Team are back with a new series! Alex and Pete are here with all the details on 'Battleground'.
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