Rephonic
Artwork for The Starved Rock Murders

The Starved Rock Murders with Andy Hale

Andy Hale
Chester Weger
DNA Testing
Starved Rock State Park
Will County State's Attorney's Office
False Confessions
Chicago Mafia
Genetic Genealogy
Starved Rock Murders
Francis Murphy
William Dummett
Wil County State's Attorney's Office
Criminal Justice System
Illinois Legal System
Will County
Illinois State Police
Bray Brothers
Murder Investigation
Polygraph Examination
Randy Reynolds
Gofundme

In the winter of 1960 three women were found brutally murdered in a cave at the Starved Rock State Park. After months of dead ends, a manhunt ensued that ultimately pinned the crime on a 21-year-old dishwasher at the Starved Rock State Park Lodge, Chester Weger. In spite of contradictory physical evidence and under immense pressure from the police, Chester confessed to the crime. He has spent the ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes48Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for The Starved Rock Murders

Latest Episodes

In this episode, attorneys Andy Hale and Sally Cohen delve into the concept of false confessions by discussing and explaining the expert report of Dr. Brian Cutler, who was retained as an expert witness in Chester Weger's case.

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In this episode, attorneys Andy Hale and Sally Cohen focus on some of the key evidence presented at the evidentiary hearing showing Chester Weger's innocence. They also discuss the manner in which the Will County State's Attorney's Office argued the ... more

In this episode, attorneys Andy Hale and Sally Cohen dissect the stunning court ruling denying Chester Weger's post-conviction petition and walk through several of the court's substantial factual and legal errors. They also discuss the ridiculous man... more

In this episode, Andy welcomes back his co-host Whitny Braun and the two of them conduct a post-mortem analysis of the case, the bombshell Lois Zelensek memo, and the court's puzzling court ruling denying Chester Weger's post-conviction petition. The... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Louis Getch
A local justice of the peace and grocer involved in the Chester Weger case.
Episode: The Arrest Warrants for Murder and the Unusual Role of a Justice of the Peace
Randy Reynolds
Key witness who provided a declaration regarding William Dummett's comments about Chester Weger's innocence.
Episode: Another Bombshell: The Randy Reynolds Interview

Host

Andy Hale
Host and civil rights attorney deeply involved in the investigation of wrongful convictions, especially Chester Weger's case. Known for his thorough research and personal commitment to justice.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 505 ratings
  • 2025

    Can’t believe I started this podcast thinking there would be an “ending” and it’s still ongoing!!!

    Unbelievable!!!

    Great show guys , waiting with bated breath in Australia for a result!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    KatCrime
    Australia8 months ago
  • Fearless

    Thank goodness for people like Andy who never give up, even in the face of so many obstacles. I hope Chester gets the justice he deserves 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hobart21
    Australiaa year ago
  • Mary’s cookin’

    On the latest podcast When Chester and Andy are talking about Mary’s cooking, I can agree wholeheartedly with them. My brothers and sister and I grew up with Mary’s children and I still remember her fried chicken. Best I've ever had.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GrandpappyJ
    United States2 years ago
  • Bias ruins storytelling

    I wish this was told, for the first few episodes at least, with a more objective narrative. I’m 3 episodes in and don’t even fully understand the crime that took place because every factual statement is interrupted with why this means it couldn’t possibly be Chester. I understand everyone has opinions, but even if your opinion is the right one, I wish you allowed the listeners to reach that opinion on their own, without interrupting the story to try to force it on us.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    amanda369
    United States2 years ago
  • only 2 episodes in but was the (elite) hotel cya'ing their not noticing that the women hadn't returned Monday by saying they'd breakfasted tuesday? my immediate thoughts go to a hired hit with the fingertip needed as proof of deed. were husbands looked at? I'm sure you'll cover all this. just had to comment.

    Audible
    5
    Marcia
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners highlight the engaging storytelling and personal commitment of the hosts, making it an emotional journey.
Listeners appreciate the depth of research and the emotional connection to the victims.
The podcast has been praised for its transparency and willingness to share new information and developments in the case.
There are mixed feelings on bias, with some critiquing a perceived agenda in the storytelling.
Some suggest a need for more balance in exploring both the perpetrator's and victims' stories.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A Legal Autopsy, Part 2: Andy Hale & Sally Cohen continue to discuss the recent evidentiary hearing and devastating court ruling
Q: What are your thoughts on the judge's comments regarding hearsay evidence in the case?
The judge expressed skepticism about hearsay due to the age of the case, but we argued that older cases warrant greater scrutiny to uncover potential injustices.
You Never Know Who You Might Run Into At The Grocery Store
Q: Have you ever had a murder case where the warrant was issued by the same dude in the community that issued fishing licenses?
Andy replies that it is unusual since the case is so old and acknowledges the odd nature of how various local officials were involved.
Chester Names Names
Q: What motives could you pin down that would explain why they are so resistant to this evidence?
Political reasons and financial liabilities are factors that may explain the county's resistance to acknowledging the evidence that points to an exoneration.
The Case Reaches A Fork In The Road
Q: If this were not 1960, if you were just called in today to defend this case, based on what you knew on paper, would you think this would even go to trial?
No, based on the evidence, Chester wouldn't even have been charged.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Starved Rock Murders

What is The Starved Rock Murders about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes center on the infamous Starved Rock Murders of 1960, where a young dishwasher, Chester Weger, was wrongfully convicted for the murders of three women. With a unique blend of legal analysis, personal anecdotes, and investigative journalism, the host highlights the dubious evidence and systemic issues that led to Weger's conviction, which has lasted over six decades. The podcast offers real-time updates on their ongoing legal battle, particularly focusing on the potential for DNA testing that could exonerate Weger, while also honoring the lives of the victims and addressing the broader themes of wrongful convictions in the justice system.

This podcast stands out due to its combination of legal expertise and personal commitment t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Starved Rock Murders?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Starved Rock Murders:

1. Up and Vanished
2. Up and Vanished Weekly
3. The Idaho Massacre
4. Somebody Knows Something
5. Culpable

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The Starved Rock Murders launched 4 years ago and published 48 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Starved Rock Murders?

Recent guests on The Starved Rock Murders include:

1. Louis Getch
2. Randy Reynolds

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