In Akron, Ohio, Richard Beasley gains the ear of the most powerful and the faith of the most vulnerable.
A twist of fate provides him the opportunity to purchase a home that he puts to nefarious use.
Amy, a familiar face at the Summit County Jail, falls prey to Beasley’s scheme. But she ultimately makes a courageous choice that she hopes will bring him to justice.
Additional info at carolcostellopresents.com.
Do you have questions about this series? Submit them for future Q&A episodes.
Subscribe to The God Hook’s YouTube channel for videos, photos, and additional conversations.
For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Supporting Cast or Apple Podcasts
EPISODE CREDITS
Host - Carol Costello
Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey
Producer - Chris Aiola
Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte
Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman
Production Director - Brigid Coyne
Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando
Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder
SPECIAL THANKS
Kevin Huffman
Zoe Louisa Lewis
GUESTS
Rhonda Kotnik - Summit County Public Defender
Doug Oplinger - Former Managing Editor of the Akron Beacon Journal
Jennifer Rausch - Prosecutor and Human Trafficking Expert
Volkan Topalli - Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
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43:33
1 | The False Prophet
In this premiere episode of "The God Hook," host Carol Costello introduces the chilling story of Richard Beasley, infamously known as the Ohio Craigslist Killer.
In previously unreleased jailhouse recordings, Beasley portrays himself as a devout Christian, concealing his manipulative and predatory behavior.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Beasley's deceitfulness extends beyond the victims he buried in shallow graves.
Listen to the preview of a bonus conversation between Carol and Emily available after the episode.
Additional info at (carolcostellopresents.com)
Do you have questions about this series? Submit them for future Q&A episodes.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see additional videos, photos, and conversations.
For early and ad-free episodes and exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the podcast via Supporting Cast or Apple Podcasts.
EPISODE CREDITS
Host - Carol Costello
Co-Host - Emily Pelphrey
Producer - Chris Aiola
Sound Design & Mixing - Lochlainn Harte
Mixing Supervisor - Sean Rule-Hoffman
Production Director - Brigid Coyne
Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando
Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder
SPECIAL THANKS
Kevin Huffman
Zoe Louisa Lewis
GUESTS
Doug Oplinger - Former Managing Editor of the Akron Beacon Journal
Volkan Topalli - Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Amir Hussain - Professor of Theological Studies
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://evergreenpodcasts.supportingcast.fm
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34:56
A Sneak Preview of Season Two! Carol Costello Presents: The God Hook
Carol Costello Presents is back on April 29th with an all new season exploring the Ohio Craigslist killings.
Carol Costello, along with the prosecutor who put Richard Beasley on death row, are determined to tell this cautionary tale in all of its tawdry and poignant details. After 20 years reporting on domestic and international stories for CNN, Carol broke into the podcast space with Series One: Blind Rage, a multi-award winning true crime podcast in 2022 (ranked #22 on Apple) about the story of Phyllis Cottle, who survived an attack in which she was assaulted, burned, and blinded, determined to put her attacker behind bars.
Now, with an established following, Carol has uncovered a case that exposes the dark side of prison ministries who send chaplains into thousands of prisons across the country in an effort to reduce recidivism.
“This is a story about the Christian belief in redemption - and how that belief is exploited by criminals like Richard Beasley,” says host, Carol Costello.
About the Host: Carol Costello is an award-winning journalist and a former CNN anchor known for her in-depth reporting and engaging storytelling. With a career spanning several decades, Carol has become a respected voice in the news industry, covering some of the most significant historical events.
Tune in on April 29th for season two: The God Hook.
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2:17
Why That Case? An Interview with The Ohio Innocence Project
In this episode of Blind Rage, Carol gains insight into Samuel Herring's bid for exoneration from the man who heads Ohio's Innocence Project, attorney Mark Godsey.
Despite the initial intrigue, DNA evidence led to a perplexing ending: Herring's guilt was confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Godsey, a former prosecutor turned innocence advocate, explains how and why the organization took up Herring's case, reveals how DNA evidence was discovered, shares the history of the nationwide effort to overturn wrongful convictions, and addresses the emotional toll on victims' families.
EPISODE CREDITS
Host - Carol Costello
Producer - Chris Aiola
Audio Engineer - Sean Rule-Hoffman
Contributor - Nijah Golliday
Production Director - Brigid Coyne
Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando
Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder
Guest: Mark Godsey (https://law.uc.edu/faculty/directory/mark-godsey.html)
Ohio Innocence Project at Cincinnati Law
(https://law.uc.edu/real-world-learning/centers/ohio-innocence-project-at-cincinnati-law.html)
Ohio Innocence Project Application:
(https://law.uc.edu/content/dam/refresh/law/pdfs-temporary/oip-inmate-screening-application.pdf)
For additional information about Phyllis Cottle’s case, please visit our website (www.carolcostellopresents.com), Carol’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/CarolLMU) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/carolcostello).
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://evergreenpodcasts.supportingcast.fm
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28:51
Update: DNA Results | "I'm a Gun Man"
Carol shares the results of DNA testing on newly recovered evidence in the case of Phyllis Cottle’s brutal assault.
The results are infuriating and…baffling.
The Ohio Innocence Project prompted a forensic review of evidence, raising the possibility that Samuel J. Herring, the man convicted of the crime, may be innocent.
Herring, now 67 years old and wheelchair-bound, has spent nearly 40 years behind bars. He has maintained his innocence.
Today we know the truth.
And while it leads to a man who is definitely guilty, it also raises questions.
EPISODE CREDITS
Host - Carol Costello
Producer - Chris Aiola
Audio Engineer - Sean Rule-Hoffman
Production Director - Brigid Coyne
Executive Producer - Gerardo Orlando
Original Music - Timothy Law Snyder
Cleveland Channel 5’s story on Samuel Herring: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/investigations/new-testing-shows-dna-of-akron-rapist-found-on-victims-clothing
The Marshall Project’s story on Samuel Herring: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/12/06/dna-ohio-innocence-project-conviction-integrity-unit-prison
For additional information about Phyllis Cottle’s case, please visit our website (www.carolcostellopresents.com), Carol’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/CarolLMU) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/carolcostello).
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://evergreenpodcasts.supportingcast.fm
In Season Two of her true crime series, The God Hook, journalist Carol Costello investigates the complex case of the Ohio Craigslist Killings—and in doing so, unearths the untold story of the crimes that preceded the murders—and the victims who’ve never received justice. Richard Beasley was convicted of murdering three men and attempting to kill a fourth in the fall of 2011, but before that heinous spree, authorities were building a human trafficking case against him. Now, working with the case's prosecutor, a county sheriff, and many closely involved sources, Carol examines previously unknown details of Beasley’s alleged crimes, and how he used the God Hook to lure his victims and bend them to his will.
In Season One of this podcast, Blind Rage, journalist Carol Costello revisits the first big assignment she covered as a 22-year-old, novice reporter: Phyllis Cottles’ brutal attack. Psychologists call them “Triumphant Survivors,” but Phyllis Cottle was more than a survivor, she used this crime to better herself and the world around her.
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://evergreenpodcasts.supportingcast.fm
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